Hawaiʻi Nurse Transition-to-Practice Program

Research indicates that newly hired graduate RNs are particularly vulnerable during their transition from classroom learning to clinical practice. Traumatic experiences during this period can lead to the loss of new nurses from healthcare organizations and potentially from the profession altogether. In 2012, in response to the IOM’s Future of Nursing recommendation to support the transition to practice and improve new graduate retention, Hawaiʻi launched the first statewide nurse residency program in the nation. 

The HNRP seeks to reduce turnover among new graduate nurses in their first year, ultimately promoting the retention of highly skilled clinicians. The Center supports local nursing education programs and healthcare providers, including hospitals and extended care facilities, providing evidence-based training programs grounded in best practices. The HNRP includes 14 partner hospitals across all counties in Hawaiʻi, all of which actively participate in offering new graduate training and supporting the professional development of newly hired nurses.

HSCN does not directly hire or recruit for residency programs, please refer to specific facilities for placement opportunities.

Acute Care Nurse Residency Program

The Acute Care Nurse Residency Program is a year-long intensive training initiative designed for newly graduated nurses entering the dynamic field of acute care. Residents develop critical skills in patient assessment, decision-making, and evidence-based care, preparing them to thrive in fast-paced environments like hospitals and specialty units. By providing support and resources, the program aims to enhance nurse confidence and competence, ultimately improving patient outcomes and fostering a lifelong commitment to professional development.

Long-term Care / Post-acute Nurse Residency Program 

The Long-Term Care Post-Acute RN Nurse Residency Program is tailored for new nurses transitioning into the specialized environment of long-term care and post-acute care facilities. The program aims to enhance the skills, knowledge, and confidence of new nurses while addressing the unique challenges of caring for individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or age-related conditions.

The custom program was developed in partnership with HealthStream, LLC, offering a flexible model that can be tailored to last for 6, 9, or 12 months and is designed to be delivered 95% virtually and asynchronously. This innovative model supports facilities with limited educational resources by providing effective training for newly licensed RNs, ensuring they receive the essential skills and knowledge needed for successful practice.

Hawaiʻi’s Nurse Transition-to-Specialty Programs are structured evidence-based training programs designed to facilitate nurses’ seamless transition into specialized clinical areas, including critical care, emergency nursing, perioperative nursing, pediatrics, and oncology. These employer-led programs provide nurses with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to build competence and confidence in their new specialties. Participants receive mentorship from experienced preceptors who provide guidance and support as they adapt to these specialized roles.

In partnership with HNTP partners and curriculum providers, the collaborative identified training needs across 25 sub-specialties, resulting in 48 specialty training offerings across 11 clinical areas. In September 2024, the Center launched the Hawai‘i Collaborative, an online marketplace allowing Nurse Residency Program partners to purchase educational curricula at discounted rates, further enhancing availability of specialized training.

The Nurse Preceptor Training Program is a structured educational program designed to prepare experienced nurses for the critical role of preceptor, providing guidance, support, and mentorship to new nurses or those transitioning to a new specialty.  The program, offered by the employer facility, provides a standardized 5-week curriculum designed to equip nurses with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to effectively teach, support, and evaluate new or transitioning nurses.   

By fostering leadership and enhancing teaching effectiveness, clinical competencies, and professional development, preceptors are empowered to create a positive learning environment that improves nurse retention and ensures the successful integration of new nurses into clinical practice.

Adventist Health Castle Medical Center
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health – Kapiolani Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health – Pali Momi Medical Center
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health – Straub Medical Center
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health – Wilcox Medical Center
Hilo Benioff Medical Center- Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center
Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital
Maui Memorial Medical Center – A Community Hospitals Affiliated with Kaiser Permanente,
Kona Community Hospital
Ohana Pacific Health, Inc.
Ohana Pacific Health – Hale Makua
The Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital
The Queen’s Medical Center – Punchbowl
The Queen’s Medical Center – West `Oahu

New Graduate Nurse Residency Program
October 2023

Hawai‘i Nurse Residency Collaborative: Desirable Competency List
September 18, 2023

Assessment of Specialty Nurse Needs for Hawai‘i
April 2022

Nurse Transition to Practice
December 2021

Certification for Residents on Neighbor Islands in Hawai‘i
September 2019

Nurse Transition to Practice
October 2018

Reichhardt, L., Kuwabara, B., & Loos, J. R. (2024). Leveraging the Hawai’i Nurse Residency Collaborative to Optimize Statewide Workforce Goals. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 54(1), 54–60. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001377