Olympia Fields, IL – Franciscan Health Olympia Fields proudly celebrated the graduation of its fifth cohort of RN residents on Monday, February 17, 2025. The ceremony marked the culmination of a year-long program designed to support and develop new nursing graduates.
The cohort, consisting of 12 dedicated new graduates, completed the comprehensive 12-month program offered in partnership with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP). This initiative provides a robust blend of online learning, interactive sessions with guest speakers, group discussions, skill-building activities, and mentorship.
Throughout the program, residents engaged in various professional experiences aimed at identifying and implementing opportunities for improvement within the healthcare system. These experiences included change projects, case studies, and committee work, all of which were presented to leaders and peers during the graduation ceremony.
Nurse Educator Elizabeth Gomez-Manns, RN MSN, praised the graduates, stating, "All of them had great ideas and did wonderful work on their projects." The residents' projects addressed critical areas such as:
- Improving the 4 Eyes Initiative: Designating two nurses per shift to enhance patient care.
- Wound Education and Documentation: Developing a portable wound care cart for efficient treatment.
- POLST Form Champions: Advocating for better use of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment forms.
- Chaplaincy and Palliative Care for Cultural Diversity: Enhancing support for diverse patient populations.
- Gender-Affirming and Inclusive Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients During Childbirth: Promoting inclusive practices in maternity care.
The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program extends its congratulations to the graduates and looks forward to the positive impact these new nurses will have on patient care and the broader healthcare community.
Interested employers should contact nicole-weathers@uiowa.edu for more information or schedule a time to visit 1:1, to learn more.
IONRP Director Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC