Upstate’s Nurse Residency Program earns reaccreditation
The Upstate University Hospital Nurse Residency Program has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Practice Transition Accrediting Program (PTAP) as an Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) in recognition of its excellence in transitioning newly hired registered nurses into clinical practice.
“We are proud to continue our accreditation of our Nurse Residency Program,” said Upstate’s Chief Nursing Officer Scott Jessie, MS, RN, NEA-BC. “Programs such as ours are extremely important today as they enable recent graduates to transition into clinical practice.”
The accreditation validates hospital residency or fellowship programs that transition 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 review process included a voluminous 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.
Appraisers said that they were pleased with key aspects of the program, including the strength of the executive nursing leadership support for the program; the return of former residents to the program in the facilitator role; and the planned collaboration with Upstate’s College of Nursing to deliver evidenced-based practice content to the Residency Program.
Upstate’s Nurse Residency Program accepts over 400 new-to-practice nurses each year. 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.
The residency program accreditation comprises a variety of Upstate location, including the downtown campus, Upstate Community Hospital, Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Center and Upstate Opthamology and Visual Sciences.
The program is led by Rebecca Milczarski, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CHCR (Director of Nursing Recruitment and Retention, and PTAP Program Director), Krista Gerling, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Nurse Residency Program Manager, and Jennifer Mix, MSN, RN, Nurse Residency Coordinator.
The formal nomenclature of organization’s action will appear as: "Upstate Medical University Nurse Residency Program at Upstate Medical University is recognized by the ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) as an Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP)."