RNTTP Accreditation Interview (03.09.2026)

What is the purpose of the Advisory Committee for the Nurse Residency Program?

The purpose of the committee is to provide oversight and direction for the RNTTP program to ensure the successful transition of RN residents along the continuum of Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory

How often does the committee meet, and what is typically discussed?

We meet quarterly. We usually discuss program recruitment, program outcomes, curriculum development, and any program concerns

How do you ensure the committee fulfills it responsibilities for program oversight?

The committee reviews and analyzes the program metrics and outcomes and makes necessary recommendations. If there are unresolved issues, they will be escalated to ADPCS/NE (Associate Director for Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive)

Who serves on the Advisory Committee, and how are members selected?

The ADPCS (Associate Director for Patient Care Services) and Residency Coordinator serve as the co-chairs of the committee. We have representatives from alumni resident, preceptor, program educator, nurse leadership, nurse recruiter, human resources, and academic partners. There is an application process for alumni, preceptor, and nursing leadership representative positions

Does the committee include representation from key stakeholders (e.g. nursing leadership, educators, unit managers, finance, HR)?

Yes

How do you ensure diverse perspectives from different practice areas?

Current alumni resident representatives are from med/surg, ED, and outpatient surgical services. We are working on expanding the membership to other clinical areas.

How does the residency program align with the organization’s mission and strategic goals?

Our residency program aligns with VHA (Veterans Health Administration) ONS (Office of Nursing Service) 10-year Nursing Workforce Strategic Plan.

Strengthening nursing workforce and reimaging lifelong learning and career development are two of the four pillars in the plan.

The mission of the residency program is to bridge nursing academic education with professional nursing advancing beginner nurses to competent professional nurses.

The program assists judgment and performance, implementing strategies to incorporate evidence-based practice into patient care, enhancing clinical leadership skills, and formulating an individual career plan to promote a lifelong commitment to professional nursing.

The overarching goal is safe, high-quality care for Veterans

How does the committee ensure the program meets CCNE standards and supports novice nurses’ transition to practice?

The committee

1) reviews the program curriculum (which were developed based on CCNE curriculum standards, program metrics, and outcomes)

2) discusses any barriers and concerns

3) and recommends evidence-based changes to facilitate residents’ transition

How does the committee participate in reviewing and approving curriculum changes?

The program educator subcommittee is responsible for reviewing the curriculum to ensure it is built upon prelicensure program

If there are any concerning program metrics that may be corrected with the curriculum update, they will be discussed and resolved at the committee meeting

How do you ensure the curriculum remains current and evidence-based?

There is an annual course review process for all program educators to review and update their course contents to ensure they are current and evidence-based

How do you evaluate whether the program addresses the needs of new nurses and the organization?

The program follows a systemic evaluation plan that outlines the key metrics to measure its effectiveness in facilitating new nurses’ transition and achieving the organization goals related to staffing and workforce outcomes

How does the committee advocate for resources to support the residency program?

If there are any concerns about resources, the committee escalates the issue to ADPCS/NE (Associate Director for Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive)

Are adequate resources (staffing, financial, educational) available for program success?

Yes, there is 1.0 FTE assigned to the program coordinator, and 0.5 FTE assigned to the resident facilitator. Program educators are given time to develop and teach their course. Nurse residents are scheduled to attend all program activities

How do you address challenges related to funding or staffing?

At this point, nurse managers are highly supportive of this program and are making every effort to ensure all residents attend program activities

In the rare event that residents are unable to attend classes, nurse managers collaborate with program leadership to provide protected time for residents to review missed content or complete required work

How does the committee review program outcomes (retention, competency achievement, patient safety indicators)?

At quarterly committee meetings, the co-chair shares program outcomes with the committee members.

Metrics such as program completion, retention, residency satisfaction, competencies, role transition experiences, and professional development are presented and discussed

What data do you monitor to evaluate program effectiveness?

The committee follows a systematic evaluation plan that outlines key metrics for measuring program effectiveness

In addition to those metrics assessing residents’ outcomes, other measures include the effectiveness of program educators’ teaching and stakeholders’ satisfaction

How do you use outcome data to make decisions or recommend changes?

Our RNTTP program is a data-driven program

Both quantitative and qualitative data are collected from nurse residents and stakeholders, analyzed, and disseminated as described in the systemic evaluation plan to foster ongoing program improvements

When certain measures consistently meet the expected level of achievement, the RN Residency Advisory Committee usually discusses and reevaluates the benchmark.

When certain measures don’t meet the expected level of achievement, the RN Residency Advisory Committee discusses the issues and makes plans for corrective actions

How does the committee collect feedback from residents, preceptors, managers, and educators?

Residents have multiple opportunities to provide feedback through regular debriefing meetings, check-in/evaluation meetings, course feedback forms, preceptorship evaluations, and the end-of-program satisfaction survey

Preceptors provide feedback during each check-in/evaluation meeting and through the preceptor satisfaction survey

Managers share feedback at each check-in meeting and through the leadership satisfaction survey

Educators provide feedback during the annual course review process

Can you share examples of program improvements based on committee recommendations?

Nurse residents reported a higher stress level than the target expected level of achievement. This data was reviewed and discussed in the RN Residency Advisory Committee Meetings in both January and April 2025.

The committee recommended adding an employee wellness session to the program curriculum, so that nurse residents become more knowledgeable about VAPAHCS’s employee wellness resources

The RNTTP leadership collaborated with the Employee Wellness Program Coordinator in creating a new class that includes aromatherapy, mindfulness-based exercise, and an orientation to the employee fitness center

This class has been offered to both the September 2024 cohort and the March 2025 cohort.

After the session, nurse residents verbally reported very high satisfaction with the course offering and appreciated the orientation and access to the employee fitness center

How do you stay informed about best practices and accreditation requirements?

The committee reviews accreditation standards and shares updates on any changes

For example, members were recently informed about the CCNE Call for Comments regarding revisions to the entry-to-practice standards

How does the residency program contribute to organizational priorities (e.g. nurse retention, quality care, workforce development)?

The program has consistently exceeded benchmarks in program completion, nurse retention, and post-completion professional development

It effectively facilitates the transition of new nurses into competent professionals who deliver high-quality, safe patient care

What future enhancements does the committee envision for the program?

The committee has identified three key areas for future focus:

1) Increasing membership representation from a broader range of clinical areas

2) Further defining committee roles and responsibilities to strengthen program oversight

3) Utilizing AI tools to enhance the program curriculum development and delivery

What are the 5 program goals?

1) To recruit qualified RN candidates for selection and acceptance for positions in the RNTTP Residency program

2) To retain the employment of nurse residents after successful completion of the RNTTP program

3) To develop a competent, highly-skilled, engaged, RN workforce prepared to deliver safe, high-quality care in a complex practice environment

4) To promote leadership development of nurse residents

5) To facilitate lifelong learning and professional development of nurse residents

What are the 5 program outcomes?

1) Successful transition from an entry-level beginner nurse to a competent professional nurse to provide safe and high-quality care

2) Development of effective critical thinking and decision-making skills in a variety of clinical scenarios

3) Development of clinical leadership skills at the point of patient care

4) Incorporation of evidence-based practice into their professional practice

5) Collaboration and support as a member of the interprofessional healthcare team

6) Satisfaction with their choice of nursing as a profession and a career choice

7) Development of an individual career plan to promote a lifelong commitment to professional nursing