Wisconsin's residency program represents a statewide collaboration among academic, rural and urban acute care health care partners to provide a structured learning experience for new nurses to foster transition into professional practice. The program incorporates the best evidence to integrate new nurses into practice to advance their professional development and promote organizational retention. Program participants, nurse residents, are baccalaureate and associate degree nurses within their first year of practice.
Spanning 12-months, this federally funded program involves building a professional development plan, monthly learning sessions supported by online technology, and clinical coaches. Every month, nurse residents from participating institutions gather and engage in a highly interactive and enriching learning process. These facilitated day-long sessions provide opportunities for the residents to critically reflect on their nursing practice through a variety of learning experiences such as journaling, concept-mapping and focused dialogue with experts. Nurse residents are guided in the analysis of their practice and application of knowledge to advance their critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. Lastly, upon entering the program, nurse residents are partnered with a clinical coach, an experienced nurse who takes an active role in fostering their learning and development over the year-long program. Acting as a teacher, guide, and role model, the clinical coach maintains regular communication with the nurse resident and functions as a constant support system.