Development of a Long-Term Care Nurse Residency Program.

Area of Science:

• Gerontological Nursing
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Nursing Education

Background:

• Nurses in long-term care (LTC) face complex patient needs without adequate specialized training, contributing to burnout and high turnover.
• Existing nurse residency programs (NRPs) effectively support novice registered nurses (RNs) but are rarely adapted for the unique LTC environment.
• A gap exists in targeted educational programs to prepare RNs for the specific demands of LTC nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement an online nurse residency program (NRP) tailored for the long-term care (LTC) setting.
• To equip novice LTC nurses with essential knowledge and skills for success and retention in their roles.
• To address the need for specialized gerontological nursing and leadership training within the LTC workforce.

Main Methods:

• An online LTC-specific nurse residency program (NRP) was created by the University of Utah Geriatric Education Consortium.
• Novice RNs (<1 year LTC experience) were paired with experienced nurse mentors within their facilities.
• Curricular modules, delivered synchronously and asynchronously, covered leadership, communication, geriatric care, quality improvement, and regulatory aspects.

Main Results:

• The distance-based online format provided flexibility for nurses to gain expertise.
• The program aimed to enhance gerontological nursing and leadership competencies.
• Mentorship component facilitated practical application of learned skills within the LTC setting.

Conclusions:

• An online LTC nurse residency program (NRP) can effectively deliver specialized gerontological nursing and leadership education.
• This flexible, distance-based approach supports professional development and may improve retention of nurses in the LTC sector.
• Addressing the training gap for LTC nurses is crucial for enhancing patient care quality and workforce stability.