Navigating the transition from nursing student to practicing nurse involves overcoming significant challenges, specifically during initial employment periods marked by transition shock and crisis. Insights from Dr. Judy Duchscher emphasize the need for structured support, theoretical frameworks, and fostering mentorship relationships to effectively guide new graduates through these critical phases.

• Understanding the purpose and structure of nurse residency programs
• Differentiating between transition shock and transition crisis
• The importance of mentorship and support for new graduates
• Recognizing the emotional and psychosocial needs during different stages
• The value of peer mentorship and initiatives like Storm Chaser
• Addressing the need for theoretical frameworks in residency programs

GUEST: Dr. Judy Boychuk Duchscher's lifelong passion has been exploring the professional role transition of new graduate nurses. Her encounter with Dr. Marlene Kramer spurred her to make strides in this area. Over the past twenty-five (25) years, she has engaged in extensive research to shed light on the professional role transition of new graduate nurses, an aspect of nursing that can easily be overlooked.

Her nursing career commenced in 1979 after graduating with a diploma in nursing with an initial focus on growing her expertise in providing direct care in high-acuity care settings. Her credentials include a Post-Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing from the University of Manitoba, a Diploma in Cardiovascular Nursing from Stanford University, a Clinical Transplant Coordinator Diploma from Johns Hopkins, a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nursing, a Post-RN Baccalaureate and Master’s degree in nursing from the University of Saskatchewan and a PhD from the University of Alberta among many others.

She has earned recognition within the nursing community for her numerous contributions to the advancement of the profession particularly in supporting new nurses’ professional role transition. Presently, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University School of Nursing, the Director of Nursing The FutureTM (NTF), and the Principal Investigator on a 4-year (2023-2027) Health Canada grant to evaluate the Canadian National Nurse Residency Program. Through these roles, Dr. Duchscher continues to display her unwavering commitment to supporting and educating new nurses and bridging the gap between undergraduate nursing education and professional practice.

https://nursingthefuture.ca/

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

In this special wrap-up episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, host Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, sits down with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) team to reflect on their favorite moments from Season 1. Join Jessica Ociepka, MSN, RN-BC, Program Coordinator; Amanda Bruscher, MSN, RN, Program Coordinator; and Jill Gillespie, BA, Marketing Coordinator, as they share their insights and highlights from the past year.

As we work on our year-end planning, this episode provides a unique opportunity to hear from the team behind the scenes. Discover which episodes resonated most with them and why, and gain valuable takeaways from their experiences. Whether you’re a nurse leader, educator, or healthcare professional, this episode offers a thoughtful conclusion to our inaugural season and sets the stage for what’s to come.

GUESTS: Amanda Bruscher, MSN, RN, is a Program Coordinator for the IONRP. Her journey in healthcare began as a CNA and LPN before she earned her BSN from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, in 2018. Recently, she completed her MSN with a focus on Clinical Nurse Leader from the University of Iowa in May 2024. Amanda’s diverse nursing background includes med-surg, postpartum, cardiac care, oncology/infusion, and education in large and rural healthcare settings.

Amanda’s passion for nursing education is evident in her work with new nurses and her role in teaching CNA classes at a local community college. A fun fact about Amanda is that she participated in the IONRP program as a resident within a year of earning her RN, finding it invaluable during the early stages of her career. She is dedicated to supporting new nurses as they transition into their roles, leveraging her extensive experience in various nursing specialties.

Jessica Ociepka, MSN, RN-BC, is a Program Coordinator for the IONRP. Originally from Southern Maine, Jess earned her BSN from the University of Maine in 2006 and completed her MSN focusing on Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire University in 2019. She began her nursing career in a large teaching hospital on a busy cardiology unit in Southern Maine. In 2014, Jess moved to Colorado, where she worked as a clinical nurse educator in a rural hospital while continuing to provide bedside care.

Jess currently staffs med/surg and ICU units in a PRN capacity and teaches the nurse aide program and clinical for nursing students at a local community college. Her dedication to nursing education and patient care is evident in her commitment to both roles. She is passionate about welcoming new nurses to the profession. Jess brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the team, making her an invaluable asset to the program.

Jill Gillespie, BA, is the Marketing Coordinator for the IONRP team. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Iowa (2000) and an AA in Graphic Design from The Art Institutes International Minnesota (2003). With 17 years of experience in graphic design and marketing, Jill began her career in the newspaper industry before she transitioned to working for her family’s manufacturing company.

Since joining IONRP, Jill has revitalized the program’s branding, introducing a fresh new look and logo. She continuously updates and enhances the website, social media platforms, and course materials, ensuring they remain current and engaging. 

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

In this episode, host Nicole Weathers sits down with Dr. Cathleen Opperman, an expert in nursing professional development, to discuss the importance of financial acumen for nurse leaders and the critical components needed to demonstrate the value of nurse residency programs. Dr. Opperman emphasizes the need to understand clinical and financial languages to advocate for resources and support new graduate nurses effectively. The discussion covers essential business case elements, including objectives, anticipated expenses, and the benefits of professional development activities. Dr. Opperman also shares practical steps for making a compelling business case, ensuring listeners have actionable insights to improve their advocacy efforts.

Special Guest: Dr. Cathleen Opperman, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, EBP-C, NEA-BC, CPN, is an Evidence-based Practice Nurse Specialist at the Center for Nursing Excellence at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, and she completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at The Ohio State University.  As a nurse for 42 years, she has held professional development and faculty positions for 38 years.

Dr. Opperman has authored articles on developing educators, the EBP process, return on investment for professional development activities, and relationship building & communication in the workplace. She has written chapters in the ANPD Core Curriculum and a pediatric nursing textbook.

After 4 years on the Board of Directors for the Association for Nursing Professional Development, she was recently invited to join the Editorial Board for the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development. Dr. Opperman has a passion for both teaching and mentoring in her professional development role.

Article Links:
Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Harper M. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: A Review of the Evidence. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2016 May-Jun;32(3):122-9. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000262. PMID: 27187826.

Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Harper M. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: Implications for Practice. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2016 Jul-Aug;32(4):176-84. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000274. PMID: 27434317.

Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: 2018 Updates. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2018 Nov/Dec;34(6):303-312. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000483. PMID: 30048386.

Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Stiesmeyer J, Miller S. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: Literature Update and the Ongoing Challenge. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;38(6):333-339. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000921. Epub 2022 Aug 24. PMID: 36037082.

Opperman C, Liebig D, Bowling J, Johnson CS, Stiesmeyer J, Miller S. Measuring Return on Investment for Professional Development Activities: Pandemic Impacts and Revised Known Cost of Outcomes. J Nurses Prof Dev. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;38(6):340-346. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000914. Epub 2022 Aug 24. PMID: 36037077.

Opperman C. Developing Yourself! J Nurses Prof Dev. 2023 Jul-Aug 01;39(4):234-235. doi: 10.1097/NND.0

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

Discover effective collaboration in nursing education with Heidi Keeler, PhD, MSN/MBA, RN, lead principal investigator of the Midwest Clinical Instruction Regional Network (MCIRN). Heidi shares her journey from clinical care to professional development, highlighting how regional partnerships are enhancing preceptor proficiency and patient outcomes across Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.

Learn about the vital role of preceptor development in retaining new nurses and how MCIRN’s Process Precept program is leading the way. Discover the collaborative efforts of stakeholders like the Nebraska Hospital Association and Nebraska Rural Health Association in creating a sustainable nursing education structure. Heidi explains the importance of realistic, application-based training for mastering preceptorship and the difference between mentoring and coaching in nursing.

Explore the innovative training resources MCIRN offers, including live sessions, multimedia content, and interactive videos. Heidi and Nicole discuss plans for a comprehensive fellowship program that emphasizes leadership and practical challenges. Tune in to see how their efforts are enhancing nursing education and fostering a professional identity that addresses issues like incivility in nursing. This episode is essential for anyone interested in the future of nursing education and professional development.

SPECIAL GUEST: Dr. Heidi Keeler is an associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She received her BSN from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, a dual MSN/MBA from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, and her PhD in nursing research from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Dr. Keeler is interested in the nursing workforce and professional development using entrepreneurial and innovative solutions. She is the director of the UNMC College of Nursing Continuing interProfessional Development and Innovation (CiPDI) office, which specializes in producing live and online educational products for the healthcare team. She serves as lead faculty on the Gerontological Nurse Prep Course, designed to train nurses to attain board certification in gerontological nursing. This has increased the number of board-certified nurses by over 6 percent nationally.

Dr. Keeler serves as the UNMC assistant vice chancellor for community engagement and ensures that UNMC provides a supportive system for maintaining reciprocal and mutually beneficial community partnerships. Dr. Keeler is interested in aligning professional development with academic continuums and community engagement to address the nursing workforce, with her most recent funding targeting preceptor and clinical faculty systems regionally.

She is the Program Director of a four-year grant to improve preceptor and clinical instructor training, awarded by the Nurse Education Practice Quality and Retention: Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academy project within the Health Resources and Services Administration. This grant has produced the Midwest Clinical Instructor Regional Network and provides Process Precept training to nurses across Region 7 (IA, NE, KS, MO).

https://rnhuddle.unmc.edu

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

In this special episode of The Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, we celebrate Nursing Professional Development Week by spotlighting on-site residency coordinators and healthcare organizations excelling in the professional development of their nursing workforce. The episode features three remarkable residency coordinators from healthcare organizations in Ohio, South Dakota, and Iowa, driving the successful implementation of nursing programs and shaping the next generation of nurses. This episode celebrates the immense value that nursing professional development practitioners bring to their healthcare systems, particularly in transitioning new graduate nurses into practice and beyond.

SPECIAL GUESTS:
Holly Knox, BSEd, BSN, RN, is a Nursing Professional Development Practitioner at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 18 years as a registered nurse, she specialized in solid organ transplant and surgical intensive care. For the past eight years in Nursing Professional Development, she has focused on onboarding, orientation, transition-to-practice, and nursing students. She is a Site Coordinator for the Monument Health Nurse Residency Program, which was first PTAP-accredited through ANCC in 2022.

Denitra Hendershot, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, is a Nurse Residency Program Coordinator at Memorial Health System in Marietta, Ohio. She is a master’s degree-prepared nurse specializing in nursing education and holds a certification in Nursing Professional Development. With over sixteen years of experience as an RN in home care and medical-surgical nursing at community-based hospitals, she is well versed in issues new graduate nurses face upon entering the workforce. She loves dedicating her time to assisting new graduate nurses in finding success in their transition to practice by building relationships and fostering confidence. 

Ashley Metts, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, is a Nurse Residency Supervisor at Memorial Health System in Marietta, Ohio. She is a master’s degree-prepared nurse specializing in nursing leadership and holds her certification in Nursing Professional Development. She has over 22 years of experience as a nurse and started her career working as an LPN for one year. She has also held several adjunct faculty and clinical instructor positions working with nursing students over the years. As a new graduate RN, she attended a Nurse Residency, and this fueled her passion for developing new graduate nurses and positively contributing to their transition to practice.

Misty Brooks, BSN, RN, CMSRN, is an accomplished nursing professional development specialist with vast experience in leadership and education. Currently, Misty serves as the RN Transition to Practice Program Director and Nurse Manager at the Central Iowa VA Health Care System. She continues to expand her knowledge and expertise as she pursues her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Health Systems Administration at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. Misty has demonstrated leadership in developing innovative nursing education programs and contributing to multiple aspects of engagement, recruitment, and retention of the nursing workforce. 

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

Welcome to a very special episode of The Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast! 🎉

Today, we are celebrating a monumental milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program. Over the past decade, this program has been a cornerstone in the journey of countless new nurses, providing them with the support, education, and community they need to thrive in their careers.

From its humble beginnings in 2014, the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program has grown and evolved, embracing new technologies and innovative teaching methods to stay at the forefront of nursing education.

In today’s episode, we’ll take a trip down memory lane with two special guests who have been with us since the beginning. Brenda Tiefenthaler, the president of Spencer Hospital and a registered nurse, served on the statewide task force that worked on the development of the Iowa program back in 2012. We will also hear from Lori Forneris, who recently retired after 40 years in nursing. Lori has a passion for developing the rural nursing workforce and served as the chair of this task force.

In this episode, we will delve into the backstory of the vision behind the program, explore what went into developing its curriculum, highlight some of our most exciting changes, and discuss the impact our guests have seen as a result of this program.

GUESTS: Brenda Tiefenthaler, RN, MSN/MHA, is the president of Spencer Hospital.  Prior to her role as president, Tiefenthaler served in several leadership roles at Spencer Hospital as she earned higher levels of responsibility over her career. She’s been an executive team member for the past 18 years, most recently as Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Operations. Tiefenthaler was also a former director of Abben Cancer Center. Before joining Spencer Hospital, she worked in healthcare facilities in the metro-Omaha area, Ft. Dodge, and at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, specializing in oncology and organ transplants. Tiefenthaler holds master's degrees in Healthcare Administration and Nursing from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa, and an Associate of Nursing Degree from the College of St. Mary in Omaha. Tiefenthaler grew up on a family farm in Fonda, Iowa. Together, she and her husband, Jeff, have five children and seven grandchildren and reside in Spencer.

Lori Forneris, MS, RN, recently retired after 40 years. Her experience as a nurse included bedside nursing and leadership positions in rural settings, evidence-based practice, and education. Her passion for developing the rural nursing workforce is evident in her work developing an innovative online nurse residency program for new RN graduates.

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

In this podcast episode, host Nicole Weathers and guest Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, an experienced nursing leader and coach, discuss the challenges and opportunities in nurse residency programs. Rose brings her expertise in leader development within health systems and highlights the evolving landscape of the nursing workforce and workplace. They delve into the significance of nurse residency programs in supporting new graduate nurses amid the changing healthcare environment, increased patient volumes, and higher acuity. The conversation emphasizes the need for nurse leaders to adapt their coaching and support strategies to effectively guide new nurses in this dynamic environment. Rose's insights and practical strategies provide valuable guidance for nurse leaders and educators looking to enhance their support for new graduate nurses.

GUEST:
Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, is known for helping current and future nursing leaders develop leadership and coaching skills. Rose is an emeritus professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University and currently serves as a faculty member in the Marian K Shaughnessy (Shawnessy) Nursing Leadership Academy at Case Western Reserve University. Before becoming a faculty member, she was a nurse leader with the Department of Veterans Affairs for 25 years at five medical centers. Rose edits a popular leadership blog, www.emergingrnleader.com, read by thousands of nurse leaders each week and is editor-in-chief of Nurse Leader, the official journal of the American Organization of Nurse Executives. She is a Gallup certified strengths coach and author of the books The Nurse Leader Coach: Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave and The Nuts and Bolts of Nursing Leadership: Your Toolkit for Success and her newest book, Rebuilding Nursing Teams: Tactics for Working Better Together. She presents nationally on nursing leadership topics and conducts nurse leader coach workshops for frontline nurse leaders. Rose is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and an alumnus of the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship Program. In 2020, she was selected by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for their Pioneering Spirit Award in recognition of her groundbreaking work in nurse leader development.

Rose O. Sherman  |  Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-sherman-aaa67510/ 

https://www.amazon.com/Nurse-Leader-Coach-Become-Wants/dp/173291270X
   
https://emergingrnleader.com/the-impact-of-social-determinants-of-work-health/ 

https://emergingrnleader.com/what-your-new-graduates-need-from-you/  

https://emergingrnleader.com/new-social-determinants-of-work-health/ 

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

EPISODE 7: Accreditation

In this episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, host Nicole Weathers interviews Dr. Sheri Cosme, the senior director of the American Nurses Credentialing Centers (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) and Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation™ (APPFA). Dr. Cosme shares insights and information about the accreditation of transition-to-practice programs, emphasizing the importance of accreditation, how to get started, and key considerations for residency coordinators. The conversation delves into the specifics of accreditation, clarifying the focus on accrediting programs rather than curriculums and highlighting essential standards and processes. Listeners can expect to gain actionable steps and unique ways to customize residency programs, enabling listeners to implement effective strategies in line with accreditation requirements.

GUEST: Sheri Cosme DNP, RN, NPD-BC, Senior Director Accreditation, Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP), Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation™ (APPFA), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Dr. Cosme is responsible for ensuring transition to practice programs abide by the accreditation criteria set forth by the ANCC.  She has published numerous articles on transition to practice programs and evidence-based practice. Dr. Cosme presents both nationally and internationally on transition to practice. Dr. Cosme serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing; she also is co-chairing the NAM/ACMGE Accreditors wellbeing initiative and is the past chair of NCICLE, a collaborative improving the clinical learning environment. 

RESOURCES:
Detecting the right fit: detecting-the-right-fit.pdf (nursingworld.org)
Getting Started bundle: ptap-2024-getting-started-guide-v3.pdf (nursingworld.org)
ANCC PTAP website: ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) | ANA (nursingworld.org) 

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

Episode 6: Simulation

In this episode of Beyond Nurse Residency, host Nicole Weathers interviews Dr. Katie Knox, a nursing professor and simulation education specialist. They discuss the history and importance of simulation in healthcare and how it can be incorporated into nurse residency programs. Dr. Knox shares her personal experience with simulation and provides actionable steps for listeners to integrate simulation into their training programs. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their nursing education and training programs.

Guest: Katie Knox, PhD, RN, CHSE, Co-director of the Nursing Clinical Education Center and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. 

Katie has clinical experience working in a medical-psychiatric unit at UIHC and clinical teaching experience working with students on various medical-surgical units caring for adults with complicated medical conditions. Katie has been a clinical instructor for the College of Nursing since 2014, specializing in clinical teaching in inpatient units, laboratory, and simulation settings.   

Katie’s research interest area is data collection and outcomes dissemination for transition-to-practice programs, such as nurse residency programs. Katie is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Nursing, receiving her BSN, MSN, and her PhD, and has her certification in Healthcare Simulation Education.   

To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp  

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

EPISODE 5: In this special episode of The Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, host Nicole Weathers celebrates Nurses Month and Nurses Week by shining a spotlight on on-site residency coordinators and healthcare organizations that are doing a great job of supporting their new graduate nurses. Nicole sits down with three exceptional residency coordinators from different healthcare organizations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Colorado, who are the driving force behind the success of their respective Iowa Online Nurse Residency programs.

Listeners get the opportunity to learn more about the unique organizations, how they customize their programs, and how they reward and recognize their nurse residents and experienced nurses. This episode is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about the efforts of these organizations to shape the next generation of nurses and ensure their successful transition into practice.

SPECIAL GUESTS:
Meridith Wulf, MSN, RNC-NIC (1:38)
Director, Patient Care – Women’s & Children’s Services, Nursing Development
Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, MN

Molly Vander Ley, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN, CBIS (15:45)
Clinical Learning and Development Specialist
ChildServe, Inc. Johnston, IA

Shauna Meilner, MSN-Ed, RN, CCRN, CNE (28:23)
NRP Site Coordinator
Delta Health Hospital, Delta, CO

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp

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To learn more about our nurse residency program and other offerings, please visit our website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp