Nurse Residency Program at Finley Hospital
Residency Program Overview
UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital is investing in new nurses by offering a Nurse Residency Program, which is designed to help new RNs successfully transition to professional practice in the acute care setting.
New graduate RNs or RNs who have less than one year of experience in an acute care hospital setting are automatically enrolled in the one-year program.
The Nurse Residency Program focuses on:
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Critical thinking
- Management of responsibilities
- Clinical knowledge
- Emotional intelligence.
The program includes sessions with varying activities, including guided reflections, simulation, case studies and scheduled time with a nurse mentor.
The Nurse Residency Program is available for nurses starting their careers at Finley Hospital. Interested individuals must apply for a position at Finley Hospital, but do not have to apply for entry into the Nurse Residency Program.
Candidates for the Nurse Residency Program:
- Must have graduated from an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor Degree in Nursing
- Must have a nursing license allowing practice in the State of Iowa
Nurses meeting the criteria will be enrolled into the Nurse Residency program within six to twelve months of hire.
The Residency graduate will:
- Recognize key elements related to patient safety and outcomes directly impacted by the professional nurse.
- Recognize and act upon key assessment and data elements using clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
- Utilize communication techniques with patients, families, and the health care team.
Sessions
Nine, 3.5-hour sessions are required within a one-year time frame. A variety of clinical education and health care experts from Finley Hospital will present topics relevant to the Nurse Residency goals and objectives. Active learning strategies and adult learning principles will be used to facilitate content delivery.
Reflective Learning
Reflective Learning is encouraged among nursing professionals and is an important aspect of professional growth and development in nursing. Residents will complete reflective learning for each session that describes how the concept(s) presented can be applied to their individual practice. Prompts meant to stimulate growth in emotional intelligence and professionalism will be assigned.
Simulation
Simulation is part of the Residency Program with a combination of active simulation and debriefings.