Structural Empowerment

Nurse residency program achieves significant growth and earns reaccreditation

In 2023, the Nurse Residency program achieved reaccreditation for 10 years by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), highlighting the program’s role in advancing nursing at Children’s Health. With expansion that nearly doubled the number of residents, the program’s growth addresses current and future staffing needs, increases engagement and contributes to evidence-based practice.

“Nurse residency graduates develop into future nursing leaders at the bedside,” said Tiffany Montgomery, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Transition to Practice and Clinical Onboarding Director. “They are among the most engaged nurses at Children’s Health.”

Program leaders enhanced engagement through several initiatives, including a nurse residents’ mixer and the new Rising Star Award, recognizing nurse residents for their leadership potential and contributions to the organization.

“2023 was a year of growth without sacrificing connection,” Tiffany said.

Leaders supported residents’ professional development through personalized education and interactive training. They piloted individual learning plans, offering one-on-one sessions and tailored support. In Dallas, they split cohorts to provide smaller classroom gatherings. In Plano, the Transition to Practice leadership expanded seminar offerings to the Plano campus, reducing travel of the Plano nurse residents to Dallas.

Building national presence through involvement in professional organizations

Children’s Health nurses were more involved in professional organizations and scholarly projects in 2023 than ever before, with 55 nurses presenting at 23 national conferences and one state conference.

“Active involvement in professional organizations is crucial, as it fosters advancements in nursing practice, continuous learning, networking and advocacy,” said Lindsey Patton, Ph.D., APRN, PCNS-BC, Senior Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (NREBP).

Attendance at the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) conference increased from six nurses in 2022 to 23 nurses in 2023. Nurses continued enhancing our national presence through networking and presenting 10 posters and three podium talks. Additionally, SPN awarded Maria Leal, BSN, RN, CPN, and Melissa Ruffini, BSN, RN, CPN, with $2,500 to support their study, “Exploration of Central Venous Catheter Protective Devices in the Pediatric Population: A Mixed Methods Study.”

Connections made at SPN contribute to our systemwide goal of increasing nursing certifications. Misty Daugherty, BSN, RN, CPHQ, Program Director of Nursing Professional Governance, spoke with Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) representatives who increased the number of CPN champion roles from three to 10 on our Dallas campus.

To support our nurses’ professional development and scholarly aspirations, the NREBP Team collaborated with evidence-based practice (EBP) and the research council to launch workshops helping nurses prepare abstracts, posters and presentations.

Advisory cabinet gives voices to beyond the bedside nurses

Nurses who work Beyond the Bedside (BTB) are influencing the organization through a newly created BTB Advisory Cabinet. In 2023, approximately 15 BTB nurses volunteered for the cabinet, which helps BTB nurses form special interest groups and provide feedback to Chief Nurse Executive Tammy Webb and Ambulatory Associate Chief Nursing Officer Barry Owen.

Beyond the Bedside launched in 2021, connecting non-clinical nurses to the nursing strategic plan and emphasizing the impact of professional nurses beyond direct patient care. Leaders identified more than 175 Children’s Health nurses whose work is important to patient care but who no longer serve at the bedside.

To engage BTB nurses:

• BTB-specific, small-group, in-person conversations with the chief nurse executive, called Talks with Tammy
• Recognition in town halls and CNE forums
• Including BTB nurses in the “Nursing News” email distribution list
• Adding a BTB representative to CNE Advisory Cabinet
• Featuring BTB nurses in the “Nurses Connect” podcast
• Creating a BTB Nursing Excellence Award and adding to Nurses Week recognitions

In 2023, CNE Tammy Webb presented on the success of the program at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) conference, and the initiative was also published in the AONL journal, “Nurse Leader.”