The post-baccalaureate nurse internship program, part of the Kenneth E. Thomas Center for Nursing Excellence (CNE) at Saint Joseph's Hospital, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation, Inc. of New York.
In 2009, Saint Joseph's post-baccalaureate nurse internship program became one of the first non-university hospitals in the nation to partner with the University HealthSystem Consortium/American Association of Colleges in Nursing (UHC/AACN) Nurse Residency ProgramTM. The program is designed to assist the new graduate nurse to transition into their first professional role and to become leaders at the bedside.
Saint Joseph's Hospital is the first in Atlanta, first in Georgia and first non-university hospital in the world to have sustained the MagnetTM Recognition for Excellence for 14 consecutive years. The UHC/AACN Nurse Residency program's goals of evidenced-based, patient-centered nursing practices are similar to the key components of the Magnet program. Funds received from the Hearst Foundation grant will allow Saint Joseph's to renew the UHC/AACN program annually.
During the year-long internship, Saint Joseph's new graduate RNs attend monthly classes and rotate to three different medical/ surgical units. Saint Joseph's preceptors work one-on-one with nurse interns during each rotation.
Having a large pool of well-trained preceptors is a critical component to the success of the intern program. Grant funds will be used to enhance the training of the preceptors who work with the new graduates.
About Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta is now a 410-bed, acute-care hospital recognized as one of the leading specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast. Saint Joseph's is the regions premier provider of cardiac, vascular oncology and orthopaedic services and home to the most comprehensive minimally invasive robotic surgery program in the world. Saint Joseph's is one of the 50 top hospitals and one of the few hospitals in the world to receive Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence. Saint Joseph's medical staff is comprised of over 750 physicians. Saint Joseph's Health System is based in Atlanta and has several subsidiaries including indigent care services, employed physician group, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Greensboro, GA, and research facilities. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's is a member of Catholic Health East. For more information, please visit www.saintjosephsatlanta.org.
