Workforce Innovation nursing network (WINN)

Colorado Rural New Graduate Nurse Residency

Helping Rural Healthcare Partners Support New Graduate Nurses

The Workforce Innovation Nursing Network (WINN) Program is 100 percentĀ  funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through an H1-B award totaling $2,500,000.


This innovative program is a rural new graduate nurse residency program that aims to make the transition to practice smoother by providing new nurses with the support they need to quickly get up to speed and serve as an invaluable clinical resource for healthcare facilities in need of additional staff. The curriculum and support the nurses receive promote leadership development, enhance critical thinking skills, and allows a newly graduated registered nurse opportunities to grow and transition into practice in rural settings, while affording ongoing education and support.

November Cohort for New Graduate Rural Nurses

There is still time for Rural and Frontier Employers to get your new grads enrolled. The enrollment deadline is October 25th.

nurse-training

Upcoming Training

Preceptor 101 Trainings

Winter 2025Ā | January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5 | 7:30am - 8:30am (MT)
ClickĀ hereĀ to register- nursing contact hours available!

Mentor Trainings

Spring 2025 - March 5th (7:30am - 9:30am MT); March12th and 19th from 7:30am-9:00am MT
Click here to register

A Day in the Life of a Rural Nurse

This video was produced by the University of Utah College of Nursing Nurse, Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Program in 2022 and features their rural clinic partner, Wayne Community Health located in Bicknell Utah.This video and University of Utah program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UK1HP31735 as part of an award totaling 2.8 million dollars with 0% financed with non-governmental sources.Ā  The content of this program does not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Learn more about the program and how to enroll your grad nurses:

  • Identify the Site Coordinator for your organization, who will lead efforts to support your new graduate nurse residents.
  • Site Coordinator will touch base with nurse resident, Preceptor(s), and Mentor(s) on a regular basis each month
  • Identify Preceptors and Mentors and enroll in trainings.
  • Preceptors will remain with new graduate nurse residents while in orientation
  • Mentors will meet with new graduate nurse residents, at least, once a month throughout their residency.
  • Recruit and hire new graduate nurses.
  • Set them up for your organization orientation.
  • Enroll them in the online portion of the WINN New Graduate Nurse Rural Residency Program.
  • New graduate nurse resident will being 12-month residency
  • Attend required monthly meetings. Site Coordinator will meet monthly with nurse resident, Preceptor, Mentor and WINN Team.

Nurse Resident will transition into practice with completion of 12-month residency and support of your organization and the WINN Team and continue in the progression of their professional growth and development as a nurse!

Aims of the Program
  • Make theĀ transition to practiceĀ smoother by providing new nurses with the support they need to quickly get up to speed
  • Improve access to careĀ utilizing program funds to build clinical resources for rural healthcare facilities withĀ minimal cost to employers.
  • Provide curriculum to promoteĀ leadership developmentĀ & enhanceĀ critical thinking skills
  • Partner withĀ employers serving rural Colorado communitiesĀ to support New Graduate Nurses
Improve Access to Healthcare
  • By utilizing apprenticeship dollars for post-licensure nurses toĀ meet the needsĀ of the healthcare workforce, the state, and local communities
  • Support New Graduate Nurse to grow and transition into practiceĀ in rural settings
  • Employers in need of clinical staff can participate at aĀ minimal cost. Allowing employers to recruit, retain and expand their nursing staff with newly licensed registered nurses.
Program Design and Structure
  • Blended curriculumĀ from bothĀ the University of IowaĀ andĀ The CenterĀ along with clinical rotations throughĀ Denver Health.
  • Support continued learning through ourĀ PreceptorĀ program.
  • Empower New Grad Nurses throughĀ Mentorship.
  • ProvideĀ Hands-on ExperienceĀ allowing employers to recruit, retain and expand their nursing staff with newly licensed registered nurses.
  • Additional employer support is built into the program to ensure effective implementation.

Learn More About the Program

Employer Participants

Employers can participate with minimal cost to the organization. The results of the program not only include a well-trained nurse resident but also builds a strong preceptor to support this resident and future employees.

Preceptor 101

Preceptors from a variety of disciplines are crucial in preparing students for jobs in the real world. This series offers introductory skills designed for clinicians interested in a role as clinical educators within their practice.

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Resident Participants

Resident apprentices will receive continuing education while working in a clinical setting. The education supports the continued growth in areas of critical thinking and reasoning skills needed for the transition from education to practice.

Mentor Training

Mentoring is a deliberate, developmental relationship where a more experienced, more skilled nurse nurtures the professional and developmental growth of a less experienced, less knowledgeable nurse. This series offers fundamental skills for clinicians interested in inspiring, guiding, and supporting new graduate nurses.

WINN

Want to know more?

We couldn't do this important work without our wonderful Partners and Sponsors!
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