Residency Program
Problem
Canada’s health care system is experiencing nursing shortages due to unsustainable working conditions compounded by the pandemic and the increasing demands facing new graduates.
Did you know?
- Patient acuity and the complexity of nursing care has increased exponentially.
- Patient acuity and the complexity of nursing care has increased exponentially
- Many registered nurses feel forced to leave the profession because of its emotional demands
- New nursing graduates experience high levels of stress for at least six months, and up to a year
- COVID-19 disrupted clinical placements – learning experiences that are critical in preparing students for the complexity of nursing today
- Multiple studies have linked nursing retention to the level of stress new graduates experience
- Research in Canada demonstrates an acute need for a nurse residency program to support the successful transition and retention of new nursing graduates
Solution
From advanced beginner to competent registered nurse (RN) – CASN’s national residency program for RNs integrates nursing graduates into health care delivery, creating a more sustainable workforce.
Did you know?
- New grads require a robust orientation program, a progressive workload, guided/supervised practice, topical learning workshops, and support for at least six months and up to a year
- A structured, competency-based, residency program successfully integrates and retains nursing graduates in the workforce
- Nurse residency programs have proliferated in the USA and are expanding in hospitals in Australia
Benefits
A residency program for RNs integrates competent, emotionally resilient, and retainable nursing graduates into a sustainable workforce.
Did you know?
- Studies in the USA have shown that residency-trained new nurses are safer, more competent, and experience less stress
- Studies also demonstrate that residency trained nursing graduates have higher retention rates, bringing cost savings to the organization
Duration
The 6-month Competency-Based Residency Program begins with a 5-day orientation provided by the health care institution, followed by a full preceptorship of the new graduate over an 11-week period. For the last 3 months of the program, the preceptor-mentor provides as-needed information and support to the new graduate while they acclimatize to a full workload. During the six months, CASN provides virtual workshops to the new graduates. There is also a required asynchronous, virtual Preceptor-Mentor Training Course for staff nurses over a 2- month period before the program starts. This course may be taken during non-working hours.
Cost
Costs for the Program (Curriculum, Workshops, Preceptor-Mentor Training, and Competency-based Evaluation Rubrics): starts at $10,000 annually, plus $150 per preceptor-mentor course attendee.
This does not cover the preceptor-mentor release time costs.
Did you know?
- Nurse turnover costs outweigh nurse residency program costs
- Residency programs provide a recruitment advantage
- A residency program strengthens nursing resilience to occupation-based stress
Program Partners
|
Interested Government |
Interested Health Institution |
Interested Preceptor |
| Reduce nursing shortages by supporting a national competency-based residency program for new RNs |
Grow a retainable nursing workforce through a partnership with CASN to deliver the residency program |
Build nursing capacity and competence by developing skills through the CASN preceptor-mentor training program |
| Government role
Assisting health care institutions with funding for the residency program. |
Health Institution role
Providing a new grad orientation to the institution and assigning the preceptor/mentor. |
Preceptor role
Teaching, supervising, coaching, mentoring, and supporting the new grad as they progressively take on a full patient assignment. |
Additional Program Details
- The delivery model for the program is a partnership between the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) and health care institutions who wish to use it for the new graduates they hire
- Hospital sector was chosen to participate initially in the nurse residency program because it is where most RNs are first hired
- Developed for new baccalaureate nursing graduates, it can be easily adapted for licensed practical nurses.
- The program is available and can be delivered in both French and English
- The program is offered in a flexible manner to meet the healthcare institution’s recruitment schedule and the preceptor’s shift work schedule
Learn more about CASN’s Residency Program
For information about the program, contact CASN’s Jessica Pearce Lamothe.
