Upstate’s Nurse Residency Program earns accreditation with distinction

The Upstate University Hospital Nurse Residency Program has been awarded accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Upstate is one of just four programs in New York state to be accredited by the ANCC, and one of only two (the other being Memorial Sloan Kettering) to be accreditated with distinction.

“I’m thrilled that Upstate Nursing’s transition into practice program is now accredited with distinction by the ANCC,” said Nancy Page, MS, RN, Upstate’s chief nursing officer. “Our RN residency program team works tirelessly to help new-to-practice nurses find their footing in this dynamic profession, guiding them through the critical transition from student to trusted professional. This accreditation is a meaningful testament to this program’s ability to nurture and support strong, clinically-expert RNs.”

ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation validates hospital residency or fellowship programs that transition registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses into new practice settings that meet rigorous, evidence-based standards for quality and excellence. Nurses in accredited transition programs like the one at Upstate experience curricula that promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary to deliver safe, high quality care.

The rigourous review process included a 510-page self study that outlined the 12-month professional development program along with various programming and structures that support the transition to practice for new RNs. It also entailed a detailed virtual site visit that required input from nursing staff across Upstate University Hospital departments and campuses including Chief Nursing Officer Nancy Page, clinical educators, Advanced Practice RNs, nurse managers, bedside nurses,  trainers and former residency program participants. This allowed the ANCC to see how the Nurse Residency Program impacts the practice of the more 2,000 nurses at Upstate, and the organization as a the whole.

There are currently 210 nurse residents in the program, with a new cohort set to start in March. Nurse Residents in the Upstate program meet regularly for their first year of practice with their peers and Upstate Nursing mentors. The program features expert guest speakers, educators and direct care staff nurses to provide resources, support and real-life learning opportunities for residents. It also incorporates open and small group discussions; didactic clinical content with experts; hands-on experience including the use of our simulation lab; and professional development exercises. The year of Nurse Residency concludes with a celebration and an evidence-based practice project.

All new-to-practice graduate RNs at Upstate University Hospital are automatically enrolled in this program. For more information on the Upstate University Hospital Nurse Residency Program, please visit us online at http://www.upstate.edu/nursing/join/nurse-residency.php.

Nurse Residency and Onboarding Coordinator is Caitlin Nye, MSN, RN-BC.

Caption: Nurse Residency participant Alexandria Lamanna, RN, left, with her former residency preceptor Danielle Bishop, RN.