Two nursing programs that received additional “with Distinction” accolades have improved career development and retention among St. Jude nurses. The Nurse Residency Program supports newly graduated nurses rotating through inpatient and outpatient units as they transition from student to professional, helping St. Jude attain record-low turnover rates among new nurses. The Center of Advanced Practice, a group of 167 nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and physician assistants, achieved the ANCC Advanced Practice Transition to Practice Certification with Distinction.
“The third-time Magnet and first-time ‘with Distinction’ recognitions keep St. Jude firmly in the top echelon for nursing excellence in the United States,” said Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, St. Jude clinical director, physician-in-chief and executive vice president. “To be recognized as exemplars in 14 distinct areas of care is extraordinary. Congratulations to nursing leadership and all St. Jude nurses.”
St. Jude was first designated as a Magnet organization in 2015 and redesignated in 2020. Magnet hospitals must provide a bi-annual status report on their progress and must undergo reevaluation every four years to retain the designation.
“St. Jude is setting the standard for patient care thanks largely to our nurses,” said James R. Downing, MD, St. Jude president and CEO. “I am so proud of the work led by Sarah Currie, Ellis Neufeld and the entire St. Jude nursing team. This is another example that speaks to the quality of our clinical teams and the work we’re doing to make every day the best day it can possibly be for our patients.”
ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, is a certification body for nursing board certification and the largest certification body for advanced practice registered nurses in the U.S. ANCC’s nursing board certification program is one of the oldest in the nation.