Abrazo Health Care Nurse Residency Program

3/27/2009 12:00:00 AM

ABRAZO HIRES 18 NURSE GRADUATES, OFFERS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Partnership with ASU hopes to increase nurse retention, reduce nursing shortage

PHOENIX (March 17, 2009) – Beginning this week, 18 new nurse graduates from Arizona State University’s College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation began a year-long nurse residency program at Abrazo Health Care. The bachelor degreed nurses will participate in a three-month clinical rotation under the direction of an experienced nurse at three Abrazo hospitals including: Maryvale Hospital in Phoenix; Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix; and West Valley Hospital in Goodyear; and will be assigned to the Emergency Department, Intensive Care, Medical and Surgical, and Telemetry units.

Despite a poor economy and a significant reduction in available jobs in the Valley, Abrazo Health Care has invested in these nurses by providing extensive training programs, skilled nurse mentors and on-going education classes, along with competitive salaries and full health benefits to attract and retain qualified nurses.

“It is our intention through this program to provide training, development and the experience needed in order to obtain a successful career in nursing,” said Carol Feuger, RN, chief nursing executive, Abrazo Health Care. “The 18 nurses who were selected for the program have demonstrated their ability and desire to learn and excel, and expressed a true passion for caring for patients.”

Next week the group will meet with their assigned nurse preceptor, a specially-trained nurse who will provide supervision, training, and guidance during the three-month rotation, and offer continued support in the months following.

For more information about the nurse residency program, call (602) 674-6592.

For media inquiries, call (602) 674-6523.

About Abrazo Health Care
As the second largest health care delivery system in Arizona, Abrazo Health Care is committed to providing excellent medical care in an environment of competence and caring to the residents of Maricopa County. The Abrazo system includes five acute care hospitals: Arrowhead Hospital, Maryvale Hospital, Paradise Valley Hospital, Phoenix Baptist Hospital and West Valley Hospital; two health plans: Phoenix Health Plan, an AHCCCS provider health plan, and Abrazo Advantage, a Medicare Advantage+Choice health plan; TMC Imaging Centers with five locations; VHS Medical Group with 14 locations and the Abrazo Institute, the system’s corporate university.

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Contact:
Meghann Finn Sepulveda: (602) 674-6523
Lisa Levi: (602) 674-1419