Rush Copley Medical Center’s START Nurse Residency Program has earned the highest honor awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program: Accreditation With Distinction. This achievement affirms that the START program’s structure, curriculum and outcomes demonstrate the highest standards in helping nurses transition into their careers.
This is Rush Copley’s third accreditation from the Practice Transition Accreditation Program. “It reflects the ongoing dedication of Rush Copley’s leadership and nursing teams to nursing excellence, professional development and service to the community," said Abby Hornbogen, chief nursing officer at Rush Copley.
Since its inception in 2010, Rush Copley’s nurse residency program has guided more than 500 new graduate nurses through a comprehensive 15-month, transition-to-practice experience. Working alongside tenured staff, START nurses strengthen the skills they need to deliver safe, quality care.
The START framework — Skill development, Thinking critically, Applying evidence to the bedside, Resource utilization and support and Transitioning into nursing practice — serves as the foundation of the program. Nurses in the program benefit from mentorship, professional development, peer support and dedicated time with nursing leaders.
The Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs recognized three defining strengths of the START Nurse Residency Program: a robust preceptor program, meaningful integration of social determinants of health and community engagement and a positive culture of leadership, wellness and retention.
The accreditation program sets the global benchmark for high-quality nurse residency programs. Criteria reflect the latest evidence and best practices for supporting nurses new to the profession.
