Sovah Health Launches Nurse Residency Program to Support New Graduates' Transition into Practice

Danville & Martinsville, Va.

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(November 12, 2024) – Sovah Health has introduced a new Nurse Residency Program designed to provide critical support and hands-on training for new graduate nurses as they embark on their careers.

Launched earlier this year, the program follows an apprenticeship model, offering evidence-based, structured guidance to help nurses transition smoothly from school to practice.

In conversations with nursing schools, students, and recruiters, Sovah Health identified three key factors that new nurses prioritize when choosing their first job: a well-structured support program, clear career advancement opportunities, and consistent feedback from their team.

The new residency program is tailored to address these needs, ensuring that nurses receive the right resources and mentorship to grow into confident, competent caregivers.

“This program is designed to provide the training and support our new nurses need to excel in their roles,” said Lindsay Crumpton, Market Chief Nursing Officer at Sovah Health. “By focusing on clinical competence, cultural transition, and leadership development, we’re helping our nurses build the foundation for long-lasting, successful careers.”

The Nurse Residency Program spans the first year of employment and consists of three main phases:

1. Clinical Competence

2. Cultural Transition

3. Leadership Development

Throughout the program, new graduate nurses are paired with experienced nurse preceptors and mentors who provide hands-on guidance and feedback.

In addition, nurses participate in "field trips" to various departments across the hospital to gain a broader understanding of how different disciplines collaborate to meet patient needs.

The program concludes with a Capstone project, which ties together the resident’s learning experiences and demonstrates their personal impact on patient care and the organization.

Pamela Cornell, Nurse Residency Coordinator, emphasized the importance of ongoing support, noting, “One of our goals is to ensure new graduate nurses are aware of their resources and have the chance to learn from the experts in our facility. As part of the program, I round on units to check in on residents and offer additional support. We want to make sure every nurse feels well-supported as they transition into their new role.”

Sovah Health’s Nurse Residency Program is a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the U.S. Department of Labor and has already shown positive results.

After piloting the program at several Lifepoint Health locations, Sovah Health reports a 93% retention rate for nurses who completed the program significantly higher than the industry average, which shows up to 30% of new nurses leaving their jobs in the first year.

Adrieka Thomas, a recent graduate of the program, shared her experience: “One of the highlights has been staying connected with my peers from school while building my knowledge. The ongoing mentorship has been invaluable, and having someone check in regularly to see how I’m doing has made all the difference.”

About Sovah Health

Sovah Health is a regional healthcare system serving south-central Virginia and north-central North Carolina. It includes two campuses: one in Danville and one in Martinsville. Sovah Health - Danville is the region's leading medical center, employing over 1,000 people and with 175 physicians on staff. Sovah Health - Martinsville has been a vital part of the local community since 1970, employing more than 800 people and serving as the primary healthcare provider in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

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