Nurse is much more than a title—it’s a promise of skill, knowledge and care. And when a student reaches their goal to take on this role, it’s time to put all that hard work into practice.

For new nurses in the IU Health South Central Region, they are guided into the force via the nurse residency program, “Transition to Practice.”

“Nurse residency programs are crucial in nurturing and honing the skills of new nurses,” says IU Health South Central Region Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Herrington, DNP, FNP, RN. “It is vitally important that nurses are provided a supportive environment where they can transition smoothly into their roles, fostering confidence, competence and a strong foundation for their nursing careers.”

Program participants receive that essential support through structured learning, mentorship and hands-on experience as they grow and find their footing in their field. Transition to Practice also ensures they have dedicated time for these resources.

Every other month for a year, the cohort of nursing graduates meets for a full day to focus on vital topics including interprofessional communication, informatics and healthcare technology, resources, quality and safety, evidence-based practice and quality improvement, person-centered care, leadership development and work life balance. Below are photos from some of these full-day events.

By the end of the year, participants will create evidence-based projects related to current hospital policies.

“We intend for our nurse residency program to serve as a cornerstone in cultivating the next generation of skilled and compassionate nurses, while ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care,” says Herrington.