Local Hospital Offers New Nursing Program

In an effort to help new nurses transition from the classroom to a work environment, Anderson Regional Health System is offering a Registered Nurse (RN) residency program.

The 12 month-long program is for newly graduated nurses and LPNs. Chief Nursing Officer, Wes Garrison says this opportunity is a way for the students to become familiar with the flow of the hospital.

“What we want is to make their transition into that professional work environment a smooth one, an enjoyable one, one that they build confidence in themselves and their skills so that they are successful. If they are retained with us and they are successful, we are successful” stated Chief Garrison.

RN Resident, Gabrielle Jones

A participant in the program and registered nurse resident, Gabrielle Jones, believes that this one-year commitment from the hospital will help her throughout her career.

“They're still giving me that time as well as pushing me hard to stay motivated and stay on track with everything as a new RN. It's a lot of pressure. It's a fast-paced environment”, stated Jones. “As well as them giving me three different options in everything. You have a floor, and you have three options to look at on the floor. So, you're not limited to just, “Hey, I’m a new RN and I'm always stuck on this area, and if I don't like it oh well.” They give you the option to say “Hey, you may not like this area, but you may like this area better.”

Dedication is a tool Jones says she learned so far in the program.

“Dedication. That's a big tool because this is a long hard road”, said Jones. “To be dedicated to not only a patient but to the families and to your staff members. Be dedicated to your work habits because it will be hard, it will get challenging, and the fact you are dedicated, that’s a tool you should take throughout your career.”

The participants are the inaugural class who will graduate within nine to twelve months of being in the program.