Collaborative Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program – UMass Lowell School of
Nursing, Lowell General Hospital and Genesis Healthcare
Abstract:
Through an innovative partnership between the School of Nursing (SON) at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell and clinical partners, Lowell General Hospital and Genesis Healthcare,
this project will develop and implement a collaborative post-Baccalaureate, new graduate nurse
residency program (NRP), focused on nursing management of the older adult transitioning along
the continuum of care. Precepted clinical experience in both acute and long term care settings
will fill a gap in new nurses’ full appreciation of transitions in care and promote competence in
caring for the adult patient across a range of acuity. Goals of the project include:
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Development of a competency-based curriculum for a post graduate nurse residency
providing preparation to practice in both LTC and adult acute care.
Development and implementation of a model to prepare preceptors to utilize the
curriculum effectively in clinical application.
Implementation of a pilot residency program, as two 4-month cohorts, utilizing the
competency-based curriculum, with clinical training at both clinical partner sites.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the residency in promoting successful graduate nurse
transition into practice, through use of a competency-based curriculum.
Program development for preceptor training, and the competency based residency curriculum
will be done by SON faculty in conjunction with clinical partner nurse educators. Preceptor
support and didactic components will also be cooperative efforts. Evaluation of the program will
be done by a SON faculty expert evaluator, at midpoint and at the conclusion of the project.
Upon completion of the program, nurse residents will be prepared for employment at either
facility, and will have a greater appreciation and knowledge of both the commonalities and
differences in professional nursing roles in caring for adults in acute and long term care settings.
Both clinical partners are committed to continued use of the preceptor training and nurse resident
programs, beyond the scope of the project.
Contact Person:
Margaret Laccetti PhD, RN, AOCN, ACHPN
Assistant Professor
University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Nursing
Margaret_Laccetti@uml.edu
978-934-4097