Heritage Valley Nurse Residency:
Transition To Professional Practice Program
Heritage Valley Health System is committed to supporting the professional growth and advancement of our newly hired graduate nurses. The Heritage Valley Health System Nurse Residency Program provides the tools and experiences needed to transition seamlessly into professional nursing practice.
The 36 month Residency Program offers the graduate continued support to confidently transition into the new role as a professional Nurse, and guidance in further professional development and Career Path Planning.
The program consists of:
- 8-12 week individualized New Graduate Heritage Valley Health System Orientation
- Personalized HVHS Clinical Progress Support
- Complimentary NCLEX Review Sessions
- 12 month Nurse Residency: Transition to Professional Practice (TPP) Program
- 24 months of guidance in Professional Development and Career Path Planning
New Graduate Orientation
A one week didactic program presented by Heritage Valley Health System nurse educators including classroom and scenario based training at our state of the art Simulation Center. During orientation new graduates complete a self-assessment that forms the basis for an individualized growth and development plan which is guided by the Heritage Valley Health System Educators through the first 8-12 weeks of employment.
Individualized Heritage Valley Health System Clinical Progress Support
Clinical Preceptorship: Coinciding with the TPP rounding, the graduate nurse is assigned a unit specific, trained RN preceptor. During the preceptorship, practice-based learning allows the graduate nurse to gain increasing competence working toward a full, independent, patient assignment. The length of the preceptorship depends on individual progress and the specific clinical area.
Skill Based Practice Sessions: Concentrated hands-on practice provided for key skills such as IV insertion, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and lab draws as required per unit assignment.
Clinical Progress Support: Weekly touch base sessions with a unit based Heritage Valley Health System Nurse Educator to evaluate the growth and development plan as the graduate works toward individualized goals.
Nurse Residency: Transition to Professional Practice (TPP)
Part 1 – Transition to Professional Practice (TPP) Sessions
Two, 4 hour, classroom and simulation sessions with a cohort group, strategically timed within the first two weeks of employment. These sessions taught by masters prepared School of Nursing educators include content related to:
- Professional development in clinical judgement and critical thinking
- Role socialization and peer-to-peer interaction
- Increased confidence in Patient Centered Care including delegation and prioritization skills
- Reinforcement of evidence-based practice
- Inter-professional relationships and team communication
- Patient safety and risk management
- Client focused interaction and communication
- Techniques to avoid transitional stress burnout
Part 2 – Individual Mentored Rounding
A continuation of the residency program includes up to three months of weekly mentored visits by Transition to Practice Faculty. These visits offer a one-on-one resource to communicate success and improvements along with a confidential liaison to communicate issues or concerns with the individual’s transition in the professional nurse role.
Part 3 – Transition to Professional Practice 6, 9, and 12 month follow-ups
The TPP faculty and Heritage Valley Heath System educators provide ongoing support and resources for the transitioning professional nurse. At 3 month intervals throughout the first year of employment. The follow up education, support, and skills based topics for these sessions are determined by the results of a Professional Development Self-Evaluation and needs assessment survey.
Part 4 – Career Path Planning
Following the first year of employment, the TPP faculty and Heritage Valley Heath System educators will continue individualized assistance and further professional development at 6 month intervals. This guidance will continue through the second and third year of employment with a focus on Career Path Planning.
Apply for Nursing positions online at https://www.heritagevalley.org/careers/.