Effectiveness of Nurse Residency Programs

Written by Tracy Perron, Mackenzie Gascoyne, Teena Kallakavumkal, Meghan Kelly, & Nina Demagistris

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2019.09.02.0908

Abstract

Background: Nurse residency programs are used increasingly by healthcare facilities to address the transition from new graduate nurse (GN) to independent clinician. This role acquisition represents both a time of elevated stress for the new nurse in acquiring experience to match textbook knowledge and a period of increased financial burden on the hospital in orienting new employees. Nurse residency programs vary in length, structure,
and content, as there is little research on best practices for their development and implementation.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to examine the effectiveness of these programs in terms of job satisfaction and performance, increased retention, and the financial impact of the programs on healthcare institutions.

Conclusions: Research studies indicate that nurse residency programs have resulted in increased retention in the first year following hire and in improvements in overall job satisfaction and perceived clinical-decision making. Decreased attrition results in financial benefits to facilities due to decreased hiring and training costs. Further research is needed to compare the effectiveness of specific programs and interventions and to examine the effectiveness of programs beyond the first year of hire.

Keywords: nurse residency, transition to practice, graduate retention, job satisfaction