Transition to practice for newly licensed nurses
The MaineHealth Nurse Residency Program is designed for newly licensed nurses with less than one year of experience. Our curriculum offers a dynamic, multimodal learning experience assisted by a nationally-recognized residency learning platform. The program is taught in a supportive environment, dedicated to mentoring and developing the future of nursing.
The primary goals of the MaineHealth Nurse Residency Program are to enhance the nurse's competence, confidence and professional development – with a strong focus on patient outcomes. Upon completion of the program, nurse residents will receive a certificate of completion, a thoughtful appreciation gift and access to CME unlimited.
Nationally-recognized nurse residency platform
As part of MaineHealth’s vision, we are actively pursuing accreditation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and are expanding our efforts to offer mentorship opportunities beyond the year-long residency for all nurse residents.
This initiative is designed to support continuous professional growth long after the MaineHealth Nurse Residency Program concludes. At MaineHealth, we are deeply committed to investing in the education of our nurses. In return, we ask newly licensed nurses to commit to full-time employment throughout the duration of the MaineHealth Nurse Residency Program.
More about our program
- Increased job satisfaction
- Enhanced role competence and confidence
- Improved clinical skills and critical thinking abilities
- Leadership development
- Reduced burnout
- Stronger recruitment, retention and organizational resilience
- Elevated reputation for excellence in nursing care
Nurse residents complete an initial assessment at the start of their employment. The results identify individual learning gaps, creating a personalized onboarding experience. This experience continues with periodic assessments to track progress, competence and learner satisfaction.
- Meetings are scheduled 1-2 times per month: Based on the site, with a full-year schedule provided upon hire
- Interprofessional Speakers: Diverse speakers provide insights into various aspects of nursing and health care
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Project: Nurse residents engage in an EBP project with support from facilitators
- Additional Topics:
- Team building
- Interdisciplinary communication
- Culture of safety
- Simulation (SIM) exercises
- Quality improvement
- Nurse well-being and resilience
- Ethics, palliative care and hospice
- Patient experience and professional development
- Introduction to precepting
Facilitated Clinical Skills Review: Interactive, hands-on sessions to reinforce clinical competencies (attendance required as needed).
Topics may include:
- IV pump usage, IV insertion and CLABSI prevention
- Indwelling catheter insertion, care and CAUTI prevention
- Gastrostomy (GI) tube insertion and maintenance
- High-risk medications, PCA and epidural management
- Chest tube care and maintenance
Through this comprehensive and supportive program, MaineHealth is committed to fostering the development of skilled, confident and resilient nurses who will make a lasting impact on patient care and the health care community.