Nurse residency programs assist in preparing nurses to transition from the role of a student nurse to the role of a professional registered nurse into clinical practice. Evidence shows that completing a nurse residency program provides new nurses with the necessary skillset and knowledge to provide safe, high-quality, patient-focused care.
The Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition (PA-NWC) implements nurse residency programs in response to a key recommendation from the National Academy of Medicine, as outlined in The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011):
"Residency provides a continuing opportunity to apply important knowledge for the purpose of remaining a safe and competent provider in a continuous learning environment."
The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ (NRP), developed by Vizient® and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, supports new graduate nurses through data-driven solutions as they enter clinical practice. The evidence-based curriculum delivers on three key areas: leadership, patient outcomes, and professional development. The NRP helps organizations obtain and maintain Magnet designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The PA-NWC aims to increase the number of health care institutions with the NRP through its strategic partnership with Vizient, Inc.
The PA-NRC was established in 2016 as a partnership of the PA-NWC and Vizient, Inc. to implement residency programs in Pennsylvania and to provide an additional layer of support.
All hospitals and health systems in Pennsylvania that have purchased the Vizient/AACN PA-Nurse Residency Program (NRP) are members of the PA-NRC.
Increase the number of hospitals with nurse residency programs: In November 2016 we formally began our collaboration with Vizient, Inc. and the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative (PA-NRC) was formed. In January 2018 we had 52 hospitals contracted through the PA-NRC. As of September 2023, a total of 76 hospitals are a part of the PA-NRC (75 acute care institutions and 1 rehab hospital). We are always signing new hospitals with the goal of bringing the NRP to every hospital across Pennsylvania.
Advance programs throughout Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Nurse Residency Collaborative (PA-NRC) advances residency programs and fosters collaboration among hospitals across PA that participate in the Vizient|AACN Nurse Residency Program. The PA-NRC works to address the diverse needs of hospitals and health systems across PA. The PA-NRC provides a forum for best practices and resource sharing at the state level to ensure the success of each program.
Learn why the PA-NRC was founded, who the PA-NRC is, and how we can help you in bolstering the success of your NRP.
Additionally, if you do not have the NRP at your institution, we invite you to watch this webinar to learn more about the PA-NRC and how we could partner to better support nurses in their transition to practice.
Learn More About PA-NRC
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
| RNs hired at participating PA-NRC hospitals |
3,870 |
3,684 |
4,697 |
4,953 |
| Turnover rate for RNs at participating PA-NRC hospitals | 10% | 16% | 16% | 11% |
| Cost avoidance with the national average turnover rate of 24% and national turnover costs of $88,000 per nurse to PA-NRC turnover rate | $47.7 million | $25.9 million | $33.1 million | $57.1 million |
| Participating Hospitals | |
|
PA-NRC: 81 of 156 acute care hospitals in PA (52%) as of February 2025 |
National Vizient NRP: 661 (June 2022) of 6,129 (May 2023) total hospitals in the U.S. in 2022 (11%) have purchased the NRP |
