Austin, TX - July 10, 2007 - Officials with the Seton Family of Hospitals estimate that they will need 2,000 additional nurses over the next 15 years; however, the ongoing nursing shortage in Central Texas presents an obstacle. To help overcome this challenge, Seton is introducing a nationally proven RN residency program in September.
Starting this fall, graduates and newly licensed registered nurses will begin participating in Seton's Versant RN Residency program, originally created by nurses for nurses at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Unlike most residencies available to nurse graduates, the program being established at Seton is distinguished by its rigorously structured and sequenced mix of classroom and hands-on instruction, skill labs, interdisciplinary team building and personal support system.
This residency program has already received high marks for helping nurse graduates transition from novice to confident, competent nursing professionals according to 1,800 participants at more than 20 hospitals nationwide. After completion of the 18-week residency, graduates demonstrate the competency and self-assurance of a nurse who has been in practice for 18 months.
"We believe we'll attract more high-caliber nurses to the region because no other metropolitan area in the state offers anything of the quality of this residency program," said Seton Chief Nursing Officer Joyce Batcheller.
Compounding the nursing shortage is the high turnover among new nurses. It has been estimated that the turnover rate for new nurses may be as high as 60 percent within the first 12 months of employment. In many cases, job dissatisfaction causes the new nurse to leave the job or the community. Some even leave the nursing profession entirely. Batcheller added, "This particular residency program has a great track record for improving nurse retention, which is critical for hospital systems - like Seton - but also very important for the nursing profession as a whole."
Seton's Versant RN Residency will consist of 25 percent classroom instruction and 75 percent hands-on training at the bedside throughout Seton's family of hospitals. It features instructor-led courses on current and emerging clinical guidelines and standards; clinical supervisors who provide personalized bedside training; mentors who offer personal support and career development guidance; and, debriefing sessions that create a forum for exchange among residents. The residency also uses state-of-the-art web-based technology to efficiently execute the program.
After completion of the core 18-week curriculum, participants also have an opportunity to engage in an additional three-to-seven weeks of focused training and specialization. Specialty tracks include Acute Care (Medical/Surgical), Behavioral Health, Critical Care, Emergency, Neonatal, Pediatric, Perinatal and Perioperative nursing.
Beginning in September 2007, the RN residency will be offered three times a year - September, January and June. Graduating nursing students and new nurses who have been licensed within the last year are eligible to apply. To take part in the program, nurses must be hired as a Seton associate.
Seton is now accepting applications for the September residency and will soon begin processing early commitment applications for the January and June classes. Those who wish to apply for the program should call (512) 324-1776, email Seton at nurseresident@seton.org, or visit www.seton.net/nursecareers.
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Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the