Pearls and pitfalls of a new graduate academic residency program

Orienting new graduates to the complexities of contemporary healthcare is a challenge for organizational leaders and graduate nurses. While new graduates face one of the most difficult psychological and intellectual periods of adaptation in their careers, organizational leaders struggle not only with the clinical competency of the new nurse but also with the management of multiple transitions that effect their professional performance and patient care. The authors describe the design and implementation of a collaborative academic-service residency program for graduate nurses. The hybrid program includes a master's level course in nursing leadership, facility specific components, and socialization events. Lessons learned are presented so that other nurse leaders may continue to raise the bar in developing future residency programs.