Emergency Nurse Residency Program
Learn About ENA's Emergency Nurse Residency Program
ENA recently enhanced the successful Emergency Nurse Residency Program to take it to the next level.
The enhancements help your nurses transition from academic or non-emergency settings to high-pressure emergency departments while improving care for patients.
The enhancements include:
- New course topics such as behavioral health emergencies, ENA's Emergency Severity Index, Medical toxicology, medications and essential ED skills
- Documentation best practices
- Learning on core measures
- A focus on team dynamics
The Emergency Nurse Residency Program delivers the education and resources needed to improve decision-making skills, clinical judgment and sociocultural acclimation to the ED for academic or non-emergency setting nurses.
This comprehensive program, that was created by emergency nurses for emergency nurses, includes research-informed ED-specific education with case studies and simulations, preceptor and coach training, and self-directed case studies. The program also includes supportive materials and education for nurse educators to help guide program implementation.
The Emergency Nurse Residency Program is designed to:
- Promote higher staff retention rates and employee satisfaction
- Improve critical thinking skills and develop additional problem-solving skills
- Reduce risk through a better understanding of ED best practices and operations
- Enhance patient care with better decision-making skills
- Help save costs associated with recruiting and onboarding replacement staff
- Eliminate the time, effort and cost to research and create a homegrown program
- Assist in reducing new nurse turnover
- Build confidence in clinical practice
The Emergency Nurse Residency Program's Impact
According to nurses who have completed the Emergency Nurse Residency Program:
- 99% strongly agree or agree they have confidence in their decision-making skills
- 100% are confident in prioritizing their patient care needs
- 95% feel comfortable managing their patient workload
Learn more about the enhancements through ENA's webinar:
Find a Residency Program
Check out which hospitals have implemented the Emergency Nurse Residency Program
Inside the ENRP Experience: Clovis Community Medical Center
ENA is thrilled to bring you an inside look at Clovis Community Medical Center's experience with the Emergency Nurse Residency Program.
What Do Others Have to Say?
With ENRP, we've achieved a 96% first-year retention rate and saw our patient satisfaction scores skyrocket. The positivity and teamwork of our new grads have transformed our culture and reignited the joy of nursing in our department.
I can really see the difference this program makes. Our new grads are more confident with patients, providers, and colleagues, and they know their skills and limits. That confidence shows in everything they do.
ENRP helped me transition from nursing school to the emergency department by teaching me what to focus on. Nursing school has a lot of extra information, but ENRP showed me how to prioritize, which is one of the most important skills in the ED.
ENRP Documents
- Program Overview Brochure (1.48 MB)
- Comprehensive Program Flyer (530 KB)
FAQs
Emergency Nurse Residency Program Overview
What Is the Emergency Nurse Residency Program?
The ENA Emergency Nurse Residency Program (ENRP) is a comprehensive, full-time emergency nurse residency program designed for new graduate nurses and experienced nurses who are new to the emergency department setting.
ENRP uses a blended, evidence-based learning approach that combines:
- Instructor-led didactic education
- Case studies and clinical simulation
- Self-paced online modules
- Progressive, immersive clinical experiences with a dedicated preceptor
This structured ED nurse residency program supports nurses as they transition into emergency nursing practice with confidence and competence.
What Is the Purpose of the Emergency Nurse Residency Program?
The purpose of a residency program is to develop critical-thinking and evidence-based decision-making skills. Specifically, ENRP is focused on:
- Building decision-making skills
- Improving clinical judgement
- Reducing burnout
- Acclimating residents to the sociocultural environment
- Improving nurse retention and reducing turnover
The program supports new nurses transitioning to practice by improving their critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills before they begin practicing independently. All of this helps to empower nurses to trust their clinical abilities and improve patient outcomes.
Does the ENRP Award Continuing Nursing Education Hours?
Yes, CNEs are awarded for several self-paced courses.
Currently, the ENA Emergency Nurse Residency Program offers:
- 42.5 CNE hours for the resident's first year
- 13.5 CNE hours in the second year for hospitals with extended subscriptions
- Third-year CNEs to be determined
Can Our Hospital Continue Using Emergency Nursing Orientation (ENO) With ENRP?
Of course! ENO offers comprehensive, evidence-based content for emergency nursing orientation and can continue to be used alongside ENRP.
ENO includes interactive online lessons and a case study-based, problem-oriented approach to learning, It serves as a great supplement to ENRP and may also be used as a remediation tool for residents who may need additional support.
Staffing Requirements
My Emergency Department is Currently Experiencing Staffing Shortages. When Is The Right Time to Implement This Program?
Now is the time to use this program! Retaining new nurses is important to help decrease turnover, vacancies, and organizational cost. Structured nurse residency programs can help increase retention of new graduate nurses when implemented correctly.
My Emergency Department Does Not Have an Onsite Educator. Can We Still Run the Program?
Although not impossible, it may be very difficult to run this program without an educator. ENA recommends that this program have an educator or similar role to serve as the ENRP Program Director.
The Program Director is responsible for overseeing, implementing, and evaluating the success of the program and the residents. Organizations are encouraged to reach out to the ENRP team to explore some creative solutions.
What Staffing Is Required to Run This Program Effectively?
For optimal outcomes, it is recommended that hospitals have:
- A dedicated ENRP Program Director to help implement the program
- One dedicated preceptor for each resident (1:1 ratio)
- One dedicated coach for each resident (1:1)
Roles
What Is an ENPR Program Director?
For the purposes of this program, ENA has designated the term Program Director for the lead nurse educator responsible for leading and coordinating all aspects of ENRP at their individual organization or hospital.
Program Directors:
- Teach the didactic portion of the program (educator)
- Instruct clinical training
- Conduct performance evaluations
- Lead reflection sessions
- Manage all aspects of ENRP
- Serve as the primary contact and liaison for ENA
- Maintain responsibility for program oversight and adherence
Can the Preceptor and Coach Be the Same Person?
It is not ideal that the preceptor serves as the role of a coach. ENA recommends that the coach be someone outside of the residency program and not in the resident's reporting structure.
The purpose of having a coach is for the resident to have an additional layer of support outside of the program to discuss any concerns, opportunities, and offer professional guidance (e.g. shared governance model, understanding facilities clinical ladders).
Program Specific FAQs
How Are Residents Evaluated in the ENRP?
Residents complete knowledge checks throughout the program and receive evaluations from the Program Director or preceptor using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric© (LCJR©)
The LCJR© is a validated, evidence-based clinical judgment tool that provides a common language for residents, nurse educators, and preceptors and serves as a trajectory for clinical judgment development. The rubric also allows the resident to participate in evaluating their own progress.
In addition to the LCJR©, ENRP has multiple quizzes and a final residency exam to help assess resident’s knowledge.
What Is the Purpose of Reflection Sessions?
Reflection sessions allow residents the opportunity to discuss and share clinical experiences while gaining knowledge from one another in a safe environment
Built-in reflection and debriefing help residents process their day and experiences while providing the Program Director the opportunity to evaluate the thought process behind the residents’ actions.
Are There Any Technical Requirements for This Program?
ENRP currently uses Prezi Present. To deliver the didactic material online, a Windows or Mac computer that meets minimum system requirements and a stable internet connection are required.
Additional technical requirements needed to successfully implement this program can be provided upon request.
Learn More
I Am a Hospital Educator Interested in This Program. How Do I Get By-In From Leadership?
Educators are encouraged to:
- Become familiar with the ENRP by reviewing the website
- Discuss interest in the program with leadership
- Reach out to an ENA Account Executive to schedule an informational session or deep-dive discussion
Group pricing information is available at: ena.org/ena/group-pricing
How Does My Hospital Purchase the Emergency Nurse Residency Program?
For hospital purchase of ENRP, please visit: ena.org/ena/group-orders
Who Should I Contact If I Have Questions About the Residency Program?
Send your inquiry to EducationPrograms@ena.org
