August 6, 2021

At Providence and our family of organizations, we understand that to deliver world-class care, we must provide the best environment and tools nurses need to succeed. One of the ways we do this is through our Clinical Academy, which was established in 2015 to ensure our nurses get the best start to their careers and growth opportunities.

“In 2015, one out of five new nurses were leaving Providence in the first year,” says LeAnn Ogilvie, Executive Director, Providence Clinical Academy, “the numbers were in line with industry standard, but we wanted to do better.” It was on that data that Providence leaders started the Nursing Institute, which included the Clinical Academy.

Providence Clinical Academy

The charter of the Clinical Academy was to develop, implement and standardize RN residencies and fellowships across Providence. Focusing on clinical precepting, mentorship, and professional, emotional and personal support, the Clinical Academy has grown to become a nationally accredited, evidence-based program that places experienced nurses changing specialties, new RNs and advanced practice RN graduates into specialty positions through a yearlong program. Says Ogilvie, “We’ve seen great success. Currently we have 22 specialties in fellowship and residency – and we’ve had approximately 13,300 RNs enroll in the program since 2016. First year turnover for RNs in the Academy is 9.5 to 11 percent compared to approximately 25 percent for RNs not in the Academy.”

Avoid burnout

Jessica Robinson is a newer nurse who went through the residency program. She says she’s happy it exists because it saved her from first-year burnout.

“For new grads, the first year can be extremely stressful and it can be a really scary time, especially as you’re going into this new profession,” says Robinson. “Having the support system of mentors, preceptors and teachers, and having this whole group of people to be able to support you in your first year, is wonderful. It made me a more confident nurse.”

Long-term success

The Clinical Academy gives Providence nurses the support they need to succeed in their new careers and continue growing in the profession. RNs who start in the Academy residency program appreciate higher retention in the second and third year of employment with Providence compared to RNs who did not start in the Academy, and former residents may come back through the Academy a second time as RN fellows when they change specialties. The Clinical Academy RN fellowship program includes tracks in nursing leadership, clinical education, ambulatory and community care settings, offering extensive opportunities for nurses to change and advance their careers throughout Providence.

“Nationally, nurses leave between six and nine months,” says Ogilvie. “This program is designed to support new hire or experienced new to specialty nurses through that tough period, for 10 to 12 months, so they have time to figure things out. Our message to nurses during that time is this:

We’re here for you. You made the right choice becoming an RN.

We’re thrilled that our retention rates have gone up as a reflection of the program. I wish I would have had a residency when I started!”

Interested in joining our supportive team as a new nurse, or branching into a new specialty? Learn more about life-long learning at Providence or apply for a RN residency or RN fellowship position today.