Ozarks Healthcare recently welcomed 16 newly graduated registered nurses to its staff following their completion of the organization's eight-week Nurse Residency Program.
The program is designed to provide new nurses with essential skills and hands-on experience as they transition into professional practice. During the training, residents rotate through up to 30 different areas within the health system.
Tonya Aaron, chief nursing officer at Ozarks Healthcare, noted that the new residents represent the future of health care in the region.
“It is inspiring to see these talented individuals begin their careers at Ozarks Healthcare and choose to serve the patients, families, and neighbors who call this region home,” Aaron said. “Through programs like our Nurse Residency Program and partnerships with local education providers, we are committed to growing the next generation of compassionate health care professionals.”
Several members of the latest cohort are alumni of the health system's Inside Track Career Pathways Program, which exposes students to health care careers during their education. Many also attended Missouri State University-West Plains, which partners with the hospital to develop the local health care workforce.
At the conclusion of the program, participants were recognized with special awards for demonstrating the health system’s core values:
- Outstanding Nurse Resident: Jessie Mitchner
- Quality Award: Jessie Mitchner and Justice Pearson
- Service Award: Courtney Ames
- People Award: Maddison Dedman
- Growth Award: Devona Mitchell
- Community Award: Cassidy Beavers
The graduates have accepted positions in various departments across the health system:
- Emergency Department: Devona Mitchell, Justice Pearson, Riley Villavicencio, Zoey Williams and Gretchen Zastrow
- Cardiac Step-down Unit: Courtney Ames, Maddison Dedman, Dylan Gleason and Colton Komm
- Medical/Surgical: Cassidy Beavers and Kaitlin Shelley
- Intensive Care Unit: Jessie Mitchner
- Obstetrics: Mandy Cockrum
- Women's Health Clinic: Emily Heller
- Walk-In Clinic: Jessica Atwater
- Department to be determined: Payton Hugg
The Nurse Residency Program begins each January and June. Eligible applicants must have completed a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse program within the past six months and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) within 90 days.
For more information, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com/careers/nurse-residency-program or call 417-293-8648.
