Colorado Rural New Graduate Nurse Residency (WINN)

Workforce Innovation Nursing Network (WINN) aims to make the transition to practice smoother by providing new nurses with the support they need to quickly get up to speed and serve as an invaluable clinical resource for healthcare facilities in need of additional staff. The curriculum and support the nurses receive promote leadership development, enhance critical thinking skills, and allows a newly graduated registered nurse opportunities to grow and transition into practice in rural settings, while affording ongoing education and support.

A Day in the Life of a Rural Nurse

This video was produced by the University of Utah College of Nursing Nurse, Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Program in 2022 and features their rural clinic partner, Wayne Community Health located in Bicknell Utah.This video and University of Utah program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UK1HP31735 as part of an award totaling 2.8 million dollars with 0% financed with non-governmental sources.  The content of this program does not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Click here for a list of the Employer Partners with links to their job postings.

Learn more about WINN
How to enroll your grad nurses:

Step 1 - Register as an Employer

Step 2 - Identify Site Coordinator

  • Identify the Site Coordinator for your organization, who will lead efforts to support your new graduate nurse residents.
  • Site Coordinator will touch base with nurse resident, Preceptor(s), and Mentor(s) on a regular basis each month

Step 3 - Identify Preceptor(s) & Mentor(s)

  • Identify Preceptors and Mentors and enroll in trainings.
  • Preceptors will remain with new graduate nurse residents while in orientation
  • Mentors will meet with new graduate nurse residents, at least, once a month throughout their residency.

Step 4 - Recruit, Hire & Enroll New Graduate RN

Recruit and hire new graduate nurses.
Set them up for your organization orientation.
Enroll them in the online portion of the WINN New Graduate Nurse Rural Residency Program.

Step 5 - Start Your 12-Month Residency

  • New graduate nurse resident will being 12-month residency
  • Attend required monthly meetings. Site Coordinator will meet monthly with nurse resident, Preceptor, Mentor and WINN Team.

Step 6 - Transition into Practice

  • Nurse Resident will transition into practice with completion of 12-month residency and support of your organization and the WINN Team and continue in the progression of their professional growth and development as a nurse!

The Workforce Innovation Nursing Network (WINN) program aims to:

  • Make the transition to practice smoother by providing new nurses with the support they need to quickly get up to speed
  • Improve access to care utilizing program funds to build clinical resources for rural healthcare facilities with minimal cost to employers.
  • Provide curriculum to promote leadership development & enhance critical thinking skills
  • Partner with employers serving rural Colorado communities to support New Graduate Nurses

Improve Access to Health Care:

  • By utilizing apprenticeship dollars for post-licensure nurses to meet the needs of the healthcare workforce, the state, and local communities
  • Support New Graduate Nurse to grow and transition into practice in rural settings
  • Employers in need of clinical staff can participate at a minimal cost. Allowing employers to recruit, retain and expand their nursing staff with newly licensed registered nurses.

The Program

  • Blended curriculum from both the University of Iowa and The Center along with clinical rotations through Denver Health.
  • Support continued learning through our Preceptor program.
  • Empower New Grad Nurses through Mentorship.
  • Provide Hands-on Experience allowing employers to recruit, retain and expand their nursing staff with newly licensed registered nurses.
  • Additional employer support is built into the program to ensure effective implementation.

Upcoming Trainings:

Preceptor Trainings–click here for more information

 

Mentor Trainings –click here for more information

Employer

Participants

Employers can participate with minimal cost to the organization. The results of the program not only include a well-trained nurse resident but also builds a strong preceptor to support this resident and future employees.

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Resident

Participants

Resident apprentices will receive continuing education while working in a clinical setting. The education supports the continued growth in areas of critical thinking and reasoning skills needed for the transition from education to practice.

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Preceptor

Training

Preceptors from a variety of disciplines are crucial in preparing students for jobs in the real world. This series offers introductory skills designed for clinicians interested in a role as clinical educators within their practice.

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Mentor

Training

Mentoring is a deliberate, developmental relationship where a more experienced, more skilled nurse nurtures the professional and developmental growth of a less experienced, less knowledgeable nurse. This series offers fundamental skills for clinicians interested in inspiring, guiding, and supporting new graduate nurses.

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Want to know more?

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