Yale New Haven Hospital recognized for its registered apprenticeship program for new nurse hires

New Haven, CT (Nov. 16, 2017) – Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) Nurse Residency Apprenticeship Program, recently approved by the Connecticut Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship Training, has been awarded funding by the United States Department of Labor (US DOL) under the American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant in support of YNHH’s efforts for the onboarding of new nurses.

The American Apprenticeship Initiative is providing financial assistance to YNHH to support nurse transition to practice. The YNHH program is the first nursing apprenticeship in Connecticut and is also funded by the US DOL, which has previously only supported manufacturing and other skilled labor programs. The YNHH Nurse Residency Program has been in operation since 2005 and has significantly improved one-year nurse turnover rates to less than 9%, compared with the national average of 17.2%. In recognition of the effectiveness of the YNHH Nurse Residency Apprenticeship Program, the US DOL has selected Judith Hahn, PhD, RN director of Nursing Professional Practice, who led the effort to implement the program and secure US DOL funding, to participate in the ApprenticeshipUSA [sic] Leaders of Excellence in Apprenticeship Development Education and Research (LEADER) campaign, a national movement to expand registered apprenticeship programs across America.

“YNHH’s Nurse Residency Apprenticeship Program provides a supportive framework that aligns beautifully with the American Apprenticeship Initiative program goals, said. “The complexities of the healthcare environment today require healthcare organizations to invest in the development of clinical and leadership skills to improve patient outcomes and we are very proud of our program at YNHH.”

Each nurse in the YNHH Nurse Residency Program participates in on-the-job learning as well as related instruction, online training and extensive mentoring by an individually assigned experienced nurse. Apprentices are registered with the Connecticut Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training (OAT), which administers the federal program in Connecticut. Upon completion of the Nurse Residency Program, each apprentice nurse receives a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion of the Apprentice Nurse Residency Program.

Apprentices describe the program in their own words as: “an amazing program and has built my foundation as a clinical nurse” and “an excellent experience for any new graduate nurse. I was fortunate to receive such sound support to help me during my first year of nursing practice.”

Since July 1, over 180 new nurses have been registered in the Nurse Residency Apprenticeship Program. An additional 40 new enrollees are expected to begin the program in the coming months.

“This partnership offers our agency new opportunities to expand Connecticut’s apprenticeship program while helping YNHH in its mission to deliver high-quality training to our state’s workforce,” said State Labor Commissioner Scott D. Jackson. “Occupational apprenticeships with experienced mentors have a long history of effectively promoting skills transfer and on-the-job knowledge, and this nurse apprenticeship will promote the highest standard of healthcare and also address the need to create a self-sustaining workforce.”