Preparing the Novice Nurse to Care for Veterans Through a Nurse Residency Program

Nurse residency programs (NRPs) aim to help novice nurses transition to autonomous and competent clinical practice. Newly registered nurses (RNs) are expected to start their first jobs and perform competently in highly complex health care settings. They often become overwhelmed and stressed with the role demands and perceived lack of support to help guide them through the difficult transition. A veteran-centric NRP that is evidence based and well structured can be a solution to resolving the phenomenon, mitigating the high rate of turnover for newly licensed registered nurses in Veterans Administration Healthcare Centers (MVAHCs) across the nation during their first year as they transition into professional Veterans Affairs (VA) nurses.