Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program

07/29/2026

New nurses thrive when they feel connected, supported, and valued. ❤️ This blog explores how rural nurse residency programs help build meaningful relationships, strengthen confidence, and create a sense of belonging that benefits both nurses and the communities they serve.

NRHA produces several digital and print publications to engage NRHA members and inform rural health professionals. These include our Rural Health Voices Blog, weekly newsletter NRHA Today, our quarterly magazine Rural Horizons, our quarterly Journal of Rural Health, and much more.

07/28/2026

Creating a safe work environment is about more than preventing physical harm. Psychological and professional safety play a critical role in helping nurses grow, build confidence, and provide excellent patient care.

In our newest episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, Dr. Heidi Gilroy explores why safety matters, how it impacts nurse engagement and retention, and what leaders can do to build stronger, healthier workplace cultures.

🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/3RiQQSZ

07/27/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) Blended Residency Cohorts!

Please join us in celebrating the successful completion of another year-long nurse residency journey. Through the IONRP blended model, these nurse residents combined online learning, facility-led discussion groups, mentorship, and professional development experiences to strengthen their transition into practice.

We are proud to recognize the facilities whose July and August 2025 cohorts have reached this milestone:

• Marietta Memorial Health System (July & August 2025)
• Franciscan Health - Central Indiana, Michigan City, Crown Point, Dyer/Munster (July 2025)
• Monument Health (July 2025)
• Presbyterian Healthcare Services (July 2025)
• Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (August 2025)
• Mary Greeley Medical Center (August 2025)

Thank you to the nurse residents, site coordinators, mentors, and nursing leaders who helped make this accomplishment possible. Your investment in the next generation of nurses strengthens both your organizations and the communities you serve.

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07/26/2026

📣 Registration is open for the 2026 Preceptor Innovation Summit in Iowa City!

Join us August 13–14 for two days of learning, networking, and innovation focused on strengthening preceptor practice and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.

✅ Up to 8.75 ANCC contact hours
💲 Just $20/day or $40 for both days
🎤 Nationally recognized speakers
📍 Iowa City, IA

Learn practical strategies you can take back to your organization right away.

🔗 Register: https://app1.unmc.edu/cne/26CE00009/

07/24/2026

Resident Spotlight: Noelle Fjeld from Spencer Hospital’s blended nurse residency program. Noelle shares how discussions with fellow new nurses and instructors helped her build confidence during that first year.

We’re proud to feature Noelle and to continue our long partnership with Spencer Hospital, who has been with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program since 2014. 💚

Read her full spotlight: https://bit.ly/3pmKnsk

07/23/2026

Congratulations to our Director, Nicole Weathers, on the publication of her latest research in Nurse Leader! 🎉

The article,“Organizational Challenges with Transition-to-Practice Programs,” examines the barriers organizations encounter when supporting newly licensed nurses and highlights opportunities to strengthen nurse residency programs through leadership support, preceptor development, and sustainable program design.

We are proud to see Nicole’s expertise helping advance the national conversation around transition-to-practice programs and the future of the nursing workforce.

Read the article: https://f.mtr.cool/njvqgmgpvr

07/22/2026

🎉 Beyond Nurse Residency just hit 5,000 downloads! Thank you to our listeners and expert guests for helping us create meaningful conversations that support nurses, educators, and leaders across the country. We're excited for what's next! 🎙️

The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program brings you the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast. This interview series provides valuable resources for nurse leaders and educators interested in learning about onboarding, orientation, transition to practice, and ongoing role development of nurses. It is intende...

07/21/2026

“I just want to be safe.” It’s something we hear from new graduate nurses all the time.

But safety is about more than avoiding mistakes. It is about having the systems, support, and environment needed to practice with confidence and grow over time.

Our July IONRP blog explores what really makes safety possible for new nurses and how organizations can build it intentionally.

👉 Read the full post here: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp/blog/07/2026/safe-clinician

07/20/2026

🎧 July Podcast Episode!

What does safety really mean for nurses today?

In our latest episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, Nicole Weathers is joined by returning guest Dr. Heidi Gilroy to discuss how physical, psychological, and professional safety impact new nurses’ success—and what leaders can do to create supportive environments where nurses thrive.

✨ You’ll learn:
✔️ How safe environments build confidence in new grads
✔️ Why transparency and accountability matter
✔️ Strategies to improve engagement and retention

If you support nurses at any stage of their career, this is a must-listen!

🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240285/episodes/19331523

07/19/2026

Ready to innovate and elevate preceptor practice?

Join us at the MCIRN Innovation Summit, August 13–14 in Iowa City, for engaging presentations, networking opportunities, and practical strategies to enhance clinical education and workforce development. Earn up to 8.25 ANCC contact hours while learning from experts in preceptorship, onboarding, AI, and clinical education. Registration is open through August 7.

🔗 https://app1.unmc.edu/cne/26CE00009/