Position Purpose

The Nursing Outcomes Improvement Facilitator, Nurse Residency Program Coordinator serves as the key facilitator and program lead for a comprehensive, system-wide nurse residency program supporting new graduate nurses across all five hospitals in the health system. This role integrates education, mentorship, program design, and outcome evaluation to ensure a structured and supportive transition from orientation to independent clinical practice during the critical first year.

Key Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Facilitation

• Coordinate and facilitate four recurring monthly nurse residency sessions, which include:
• Clinical education content
• Professional development modules
• Simulation-based learning (SIMs)
• Peer mentoring and structured reflection time
• Manage all logistical and educational components of each session, including speaker coordination, materials preparation, scheduling, and documentation.

Curriculum Development and Educational Leadership

• Design, implement, and continuously refine the residency curriculum to support transition-to-practice competencies.
• Integrate clinical priorities (e.g., quality, patient safety) into educational content.
• Ensure alignment of residency programming with broader clinical education efforts (e.g., preceptor training, orientation programs, mentorship initiatives, professional development).

Mentorship and Transition Support

• Bridge the transition from preceptorship (during orientation) to formal mentorship in the residency phase.
• Facilitate formal mentoring relationships that support new nurses' professional identity development and emotional resilience.

Outcomes Measurement and Program Evaluation

• Establish baseline assessments and track key outcomes over the course of the first year of practice.
• Collaborate with data analysts or educational researchers to evaluate the program’s impact on nurse retention, clinical performance, and satisfaction.
• Use data to inform ongoing program improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

• Lead the Nurse Residency Steering Committee, convened three times a year, involving academic partners, clinical leaders, and education stakeholders.
• Foster collaboration with schools of nursing to ensure alignment between academic preparation and clinical transition needs.
• Participate in governance activities that guide the strategic direction and continuous improvement of the nurse residency program.

Key Competencies and Qualifications

• Strong background in nursing education, program design, and curriculum evaluation
• Experience coordinating large-scale education or transition-to-practice programs
• Understanding of clinical practice environments and the challenges of early career nursing
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills

• Ability to connect and align multiple educational initiatives (e.g., preceptor programs, orientation, continuing education)
• Diversity of nursing practice experience to support nurses across all clinical settings

Future Vision

While the current nurse residency program is not formally certified (e.g., via ANCC PTAP), a future goal is to pursue national certification and recognition. The Nurse Residency Coordinator will play a critical role in building the educational infrastructure and documentation necessary to achieve that vision.

Ideal Candidate Mindset

• Thinks beyond the scope of individual programs (e.g., student nurse experiences) and considers the entire continuum of nurse development
• Brings a systems-level understanding of the first 12–18 months of nursing practice
• Connects the dots between onboarding, orientation, mentorship, and ongoing professional development
• Embraces change, innovation, and continuous improvement

Education:

·         BSN required. Master’s degree in nursing or other clinically-related discipline required or achieved within 3 years of hire.
Licensure/Certification/Registry:

·         Current licensure as an R.N. in the State of Illinois.

·         Holds nursing certification in area of clinical specialty, or acquires within one year.
Experience:

·         Minimum three years of experience as a staff nurse in acute care required.
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

·         Minimum two years of demonstrated participation in nursing performance improvement activities, including leading change initiatives, required.

·         Prior knowledge and involvement in Magnet designation processes preferred.

·         Ability to develop, implement and evaluate teaching - learning activities.

·         Demonstrated consistent pattern of continuing professional development.

·         Competent in Microsoft Office

Yearly Credentialing to maintain current level:

1.       Attends all Joint Commission, OSHA and Director-mandated inservices.

2.       Maintains professional certification.

3.       Completion of annual self-evaluation and professional development plan.

4.       Participation in nursing leadership peer feedback process.

5.       Membership in at least one professional organization.

6.       Submits to Director an annual performance appraisal with sufficient documentation to validate credentialing requirements.