Piedmont Newnan honors eight nurses at Residency Program Celebration
Pictured above (left to right): Graduates Courtney Clark, RN (ICU); Deysi De Leon, RN (IMCU); Irene Rusev, RN (IMCU); Alexis Fairclough, RN (Med Surg); Lakaria Lambert (NICU); Rachelle Becina, RN (Med Surg); Ashley Martin, RN (Med Surg); and Breanna Hatfield, RN (Med Surg).
From Piedmont Newnan Hospital Press Release
A total of eight registered nurses from the Fall 2023 cohort completed the enhanced Nurse Residency Program, and were recently recognized at a celebration.
The Fall 2023 nurse resident class included ICU nurse Courtney Clark, RN; IMCU nurses Deysi De Leon, RN and Irene Rusev, RN; Med Surg nurses Ashley Martin, RN, Breanna Hatfield, RN, Rachelle Becina, RN, and Alexis Fairclough, RN; and NICU nurse Lakaria Lambert.
“I’m excited to watch these nurses take the next step in their nursing careers,” said nurse residency program coordinator Krysten Johnson, MSN, RN. “I’ve had an opportunity to get to know each of them and watch as they’ve become more confident in their abilities as well as grow their clinical skills.”
One of the highlights of the residency program is the presentation of evidence-based projects. Nurse residents are asked to select a topic they are passionate about that links evidence-based care to practice outcomes. They conduct a literary search, develop a PICO question, create a background summary, report a summary statement based on analysis and outcomes based off their literary searches. “Serving Patients and their Family Post Critical Care,” and the “Importance of Equipment Needed for Unexpected Deliveries in the ED” are just a few examples of the evidence-based project presentation topics.
“The nurse residents delivered oral presentations to nursing leadership, and sometimes these findings and suggestions are implemented on our units,” said Johnson.
Piedmont Newnan’s Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Program a formal, structured, evidence-based, 12-month program designed to foster Piedmont nurses who are competent, confident, and committed clinicians who practice evidence-based care. Through learning and clinical experiences with preceptors, ongoing support from experienced educators, mentors and leadership, the residents are integrated into a culture that prioritizes and supports their growth.
“The goal of the program is to enhance the onboarding and residency experience of our new graduate nurses beyond just skill acquisition to address the array of challenges in the transition from student nurse to competent, confident practitioner,” said Director of Clinical Practice Andrea Wilkins-Howard.
New nursing school graduates are welcomed three times a year (spring, summer and fall) into the organization. Currently, there are 51 nurse residents in the Newnan Transition to Practice Program.
“It is proven that there are many benefits to the new graduate nurse, the patient, and the hospital when an established nurse residency program is in place,” shared Wilkins-Howard. “We’re looking forward to the residency program’s continued growth and success.”
