Nurse Residency Program

Kern Medical’s Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is a one-year program that transitions the nursing school graduate from nursing student to competent professional nurse. The NRP effective supports new graduates as they transition into their first professional role. Built on an evidence-based curriculum by experts from academic medical centers and nursing schools across the country, the program focuses on three critical cares: leadership, patient outcomes, and professional role. The program is intended for nurses who are in direct patient care roles.

Newly graduated nurses are seeking and must participate in a professional nurse residency program (NRP) at Kern Medical. Kern Medical’s NRP provides all the tools that enable the new graduate nurse to become a confident and professional nurse. In this program there is extensive focus on professional transition-to-practice curriculum and activities which builds on the basic RN nursing program. Due to the success of this program, Kern Medical’s NRP has a first-year retention rate of 92.7%, compared to the national average of 82.5%. To date, there have been 12 cohorts with a total of 352 nurses participating in the program.

Kern Medical’s NRP is aligned with Vizient/American Association College of Nursing (AACN), the nation’s top nurse residency curriculum.

Orientation: Once you’ve graduated from your program or have your RN

• Participate in hospital and nursing orientation (offered bi-weekly)
• Complete American Heart Association RQI for BLS/ACLS/PALS, ECG Series classes
• Department specific e-learning activities including OSHA/Safety, and more
• Length of department orientation is twelve weeks (minimum)
• If you have applied for a California Interim Permit (IP) but have not yet taken your NCLEX, you will begin orienting with an RN preceptor. All others may begin working within their chosen department providing support care prior to completing their NCLEX.

Nurse Residency Program Seminars:

• Participate in monthly seminars
• Mentoring activities during orientation, and periodic surveys
• Complete an evidence based practice project with your department cohort

The summer cohort begins on August 24, 2022. New graduates will be accepted through September 2022. Cohorts start in spring and summer accepting associate and bachelor degree nursing graduates.

What to Expect

• Evidence-Based Curriculum: Monthly seminars, e-learning, cohort department facilitators and evidence-based practice project
• Work alongside experienced nurses and leadership team
• Collaborate with NRP coordinator and department facilitator: Regular check-in with department RN facilitator to answer questions and build professional relationships.
• Peers: Opportunities to connect, reflect, and build a strong lasting support network.

Monthly Nurse Residency Seminars

The seminars you will be attending are on a monthly basis emphasizing clinical skills, interpersonal skills, and professional leadership skills. These seminars are designed to provide support and are very interactive, with each topic and activity selected to encourage critical thinking. Some of the seminar topics include:

• Professional Development
• Performance Improvement
• Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-Based Practice Project (EBPP)

Each resident is required to complete an Evidence-Based Practice Project. This consists of designing and leading a group project aimed at making a significant impact to the hospital. Residents demonstrate success by measuring and tracking specific outcomes.

Nurse Residency Program Areas

You will be assigned to a specific area based on your academic background and the needs at Kern Medical. Areas of assignment include:

• Medical/Surgical
• Emergency Department
• OR Training Program
• Adult Medical Psychiatry
• Post Anesthesia Care Unit
• Neonatal ICU
• Perinatal (Labor & Delivery)
• Pediatrics
• Intermediate Care Units (Telemetry)
• DOU/Medical-Surgical ICU

Expectations

Each Nurse Resident selected for the program will be expected to:

• Commit to hired hours and shifts
• Complete all required department orientation competencies/checklists
• Attend and actively participate in all scheduled monthly nurse residency seminars for the duration of the 1-year program.
• Fulfill all the professional obligations of a first-year member of the professional nursing staff on assigned clinical service area
• Adhere to all institutional policies/guidelines as a member of the professional nursing staff.
• Develop and utilize mentor relationships to support professional nursing staff.
  • Communicate regularly with Managers, Nurse Residency Program, and NRP Facilitator
  • Utilize available support resources
• Complete all required assessment tools (surveys)
• Complete an approved evidence-based practice project with a team as directed. Participate in end of year presentation of EBPP
• Attend the Nurse Residency Graduation Celebration at the end of the 1-year program and present EBPP
• Criteria for successful completion of the program include the following:
  • Meet all competencies, classes, and e-learning as required by job description
  • Complete all required surveys
  • Complete EBPP project on time

For questions about the Nurse Residency Program, please contact Pamela.Gavin@kernmedical.com

Application to Kern Medical, please contact our nurse recruiter/talent acquisition coordinator, Brittany Byrtus HRSupport@kernmedical.com