Twin County Regional Healthcare (TCRH), a part of Lifepoint Health, today announced the launch of a new nurse residency program. Based on an apprenticeship model, the evidence-based transition-to-practice program provides hands-on, structured support for nurses as they graduate from nursing school and start their careers at Twin County Regional Healthcare.

In talking with students, schools, and recruiters to understand what is most important to new nurses in choosing their first job, three consistent themes emerge more than any others – a structured program to support their transition, a clear career pathway for advancement and growth, and regular engagement and feedback from their team.

“This evidence-based transition-to-practice program, based on an apprenticeship model, provides the right training and resources to help our new nurses develop into confident, competent, and resilient caregivers and thrive in their careers,” said William Alley, chief nursing officer at Twin County Regional Healthcare.

All new graduate nurses joining TCRH are automatically enrolled in the program on day one. They are guided and supported by experienced nurse preceptors and mentors through three structured phases in their first year:

1. Clinical Competence
2. Culture Transition
3. Leadership Development

The program culminates in the completion of a Capstone project, which ties together the resident’s first year of work, individually and with their team, and demonstrates the personal impact they have made in the workplace.

This program, which is a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the US Department of Labor, was piloted in several Lifepoint Health locations last year and has experienced great results already. In fact, upon completion of the program, 93% of nurses were still working at their facilities, which is remarkable considering some studies have shown 20-30% of new nurses leaving their jobs in the first year.