UNC Health Wayne has announced the implementation of a Nurse Residency program based on the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program™. The program is designed to ease the transition of newly graduated nurses from the classroom setting to the clinical practice environment to promote quality, safety and reduce turnover rates for first-year nurses. 

The program will be open to all graduating nurses hired by UNC Health Wayne with licensing from an accredited school. The program takes one year to complete. 

“We are excited to announce the implementation of the Nurse Residency program at UNC Health Wayne” says Chief Nursing Officer at UNC Health Wayne Heidi Malez, MSN, RN, CMSRN. “This initiative reflects our commitment to providing a smooth transition for newly graduated nurses, ensuring their success in the clinical practice environment. By promoting quality, safety, and reducing turnover rates for first-year nurses, we aim to enhance the overall patient experience.”

“The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ has been recognized as a model program by the Institute of Medicine, making it an ideal framework for our nurse residency program” says Elizabeth Hodges, Coordinator, Nurse Residency Program at UNC Health Wayne. “We believe that by offering this comprehensive program, we can nurture the confidence, competence, and engagement of our new nurses, supporting their professional growth and contributing to the success of both the individuals and our organization." 

The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ has provided healthcare organizations with a transition-to-practice program for new graduate nurses since 2002 and is recognized by the Institute of Medicine as a model program. 

“Transitioning into the nursing profession is a challenge for new graduate nurses. They are asked to jump into a difficult roles and expand their development quickly, leading to high turnover. We know that it takes a full year to grow their confidence, competence and engagement in the profession and the organization “said Evy Olson, Associate Vice President of Nursing Programs at Vizient. “We are pleased that UNC Health Wayne has made the commitment to support their nurses in their transition into practice and their professional development through a nurse residency program.”

About The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™

The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ operates at more than 600 healthcare organizations. Since its establishment in 2002, more than 200,000 new graduate nurses have participated in the program. Notably, The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) published The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011) report identifying actionable measures that will transform the nursing profession –specifically highlighting the importance of nurse residency programs for nurses entering the transition-to-practice. To-date, the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program has consistently shown to reduce turnover rates among first-year nurses. For more information, visit The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ website.