Amy Shaw is an RN currently working at the VA Providence Healthcare System in Rhode Island. Ten years ago, she was a new nurse participating in The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Residency Program.
“The Registered Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Residency Program at the Providence VA Medical Center was instrumental to my success as a nurse,” she said.
Shaw entered nursing as a second career student and “lacked confidence in health care.” Being a new nurse is challenging and can be anxiety-inducing. Performing some nursing tasks such as drawing blood or inserting catheters can be daunting to inexperienced nurses.
Shaw explained that, at the beginning of her career, nursing and the nursing process felt like more of a vague concept rather than something she could put into clinical practice. However, the didactic and clinical training opportunities, relationships she built, guidance of experienced preceptors and real-life experiences of the RNTTP Residency Program gave Shaw the kickstart and confidence she needed to build a successful nursing career with VA.
“The RNTTP taught me not only how to take care of patients but how to take care of myself as I forged my nursing career,” she said.
Get support
The supportive nature of the program is structured for your success. Shaw felt that she was greatly supported throughout her experience with the program and that the preceptors she worked under influenced her development within her nursing career.
“Step by step and day by day, I accumulated knowledge, confidence and hands-on experience. I had great support from the RNTTP Residency Program and preceptors that influenced the nurse I am today,” she said.
Shaw now “pays it forward” and serves as a preceptor guiding the new VA nurses in residency programs at her facility.
Learn more about the program
- Evidence based program to support transition into first RN position.
- Curriculum is based on the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education’s Standards for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs.
- Comprehensive 12-month program to provide support for increasing competence and confidence.
- Includes didactic, simulation and experiential offerings to support development of competence and confidence.
- Preceptor to support transition from novice to advanced beginner RN.
Shaw recommends the RNTTP Residency Program to newly graduated nursing students as it helps them transition seamlessly from the classroom to practice.
“I gained invaluable experience throughout the RNTTP Residency Program,” Shaw said.
She continues to draw upon that experience daily when treating her patients and while training the new RNTTP nurses.
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