From the University of Florida news: http://news.ufl.edu/2010/12/07/nurse...lorida+News%29

The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education has formally accredited the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s postbaccalaureate nurse residency program — a part of a formalized VA-University of Florida College of Nursing partnership program.

This makes it one of only three formally accredited nurse residencies in the country and the first-ever nurse residency accredited at a VA facility.

The postbaccalaureate nurse residency is a yearlong program that pairs new Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree graduates with preceptors and mentors. They experience extensive orientation and training throughout the year. The goal is to provide a structured transition experience from new graduate to professional nurse.

“This is a significant achievement to be the first VA-accredited post-B.S.N. residency program in the country. Accreditation provides national recognition of the quality of the residency and further strengthens our nurse residency program,” said North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Director Thomas Cappello. “This is the result of the hard work of our VA Nursing Academy staff, our partnership with the University of Florida College of Nursing and the support provided by the VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations and Office of Nursing Services.”

The VA-UF nursing partnership program is a five-year, $5 million-plus pilot initiative awarded in 2007 as a part of the national VA Nursing Academy. One of only four partnerships awarded in the first year of the initiative, it addresses expanded enrollment of nursing students and increasing faculty and also focuses on enhancing nursing practice through initiatives like the nurse residency.

“Our college is a proud partner with the VA on several educational initiatives and we are especially proud of the success of the nurse residency program in achieving national accreditation,” said Kathleen Ann Long, dean of the UF College of Nursing. “High turnover rates for new nurses are a national problem and not only result in increased hospital costs but also compromise patient safety and the quality of care. Postbaccalaureate nurse residency programs, such as the one at our VA hospital, address these problems effectively.”