HEALTHCARE IN ACTION
Paving the Way for Nursing Success
adison Howard , RN , knew she was destined for nursing after getting a glimpse of the field as a nurse ’ s aide in high school . Once in nursing school at Tarleton State University , she was conflicted about which nursing specialty to choose .
“ When I was 19 , we found out my mom was pregnant . Her doctors allowed me to scrub in for my sister ’ s birth ,” said Madison . “ My mom had some complications after her C-section . Seeing the doctors and nurses jump in and save her made me realize labor and delivery is where I wanted to be .”
After graduating in December 2019 , Madison began her career the next month at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth as a graduate nurse ( GN ) in the Nurse Residency Program .
In this one-year program , new nurses like Madison receive meaningful training and support as they begin their careers . They attend classes and participate in hands-on simulation exercises and training at the bedside , under the supervision of an experi- enced nurse .
The nurse residency program is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and recognized as an apprenticeship program by the Department of Labor . This transitionto-practice program provides formal support and a learning framework as graduate nurses evolve from students to professional nurses .
MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY !
Thanks to a commitment of $ 1,000,000 from the Deena Jo Heide-Diesslin Foundation , we are matching donations so nurses like Madison are able to thrive .
Madison said the program prepared her for the clinical aspect of the field in ways that professors can ’ t teach in school .
“ The residency program gives you a chance to put your book knowledge to the test and learn from real-life situations and patients . It creates more committed , empathetic nurses , and the kind of nurses you want to care for you and your loved ones ,” explained Madison .
Throughout the program , nurse preceptors guide the GNs as they train in their specialties . Madison said her mentor , Erica Loftin , RN , helped mold her into the nurse she is today .
“ Erica has made a huge impact on me as a nurse . Even before working at All Saints , I looked up to her as one of my professors in nursing school . She began molding me as a nurse while I was still in college and continued to shape me as I transitioned into practice with her ,” said Madison .
Erica said she has a passion for teaching , so she jumped at the opportunity to become Madison ’ s preceptor after teaching her at Tarleton .
“ As a preceptor , you spend a lot of one-on-one time with your GN and develop a close bond ,” said Erica . “ It ’ s special to see the growth of your intern from day one to the end of the program . There ’ s so much to learn , so it ’ s important to have your preceptor there to guide you .”
While the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the heroism of nurses , it also brought increased focus to the your DOLLAR
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IMPACT
Madison Howard , RN ( right ) with her nurse preceptor , Erica Loftin , RN ( left )
“ The residency program gives you a chance to put your book knowledge to the test , creating the kind of nurses you want for you and your loved ones .”
— Madison Howard , RN
nationwide nursing shortage . Baylor Scott & White ’ s Nurse Residency Program is helping to rebuild the healthcare workforce after the indescribable challenges faced by nurses during the pandemic led to burnout . With so many nurses leaving the field , the U . S . Department of Health and Human Services predicts that Texas will need more than 1 million new nurses by 2030 .
Philanthropy is vital to sustaining and growing the Baylor Scott & White All Saints Nurse Residency Program . The Deena Jo Heide-Diesslin Foundation has made a $ 1 million pledge as a matching challenge grant for the Nurse Residency Program to help alleviate the nursing shortage .
For more information on how you can help support the Nurse Residency Program and meet the match , please get in touch with Amy Adkins at 817.922.7707 or Amy . Adkins @ BSWhealth . org .
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THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE FOUNDATION NEWS / FALL 2022