Establishing RN Residency Coordinator Standard Work and Coordinator to Resident Ratios.

Abstract

Nurse Residency Programs, designed to facilitate the challenging transition from the academic pre-licensure state to professional registered nurse, have gained importance over the past 20 years, with evidence suggesting that successful programs help newly licensed nurses develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to build confidence and provide optimal patient care. While there is evidence to support the financial investment of such programs, there is little evidence to guide health care systems in securing the human resources necessary to develop and sustain successful programs. This article describes how one multisite health system created RN Residency Coordinator Standard Work to define their residency leader role, establish a recommended residency leader-to-resident ratio, and advocate for additional full-time equivalent positions to fully support their year-long accredited nurse residency practice transition program.