| | Retention tells us who stayed, but engagement shows how nurses are doing. In this blog, Nicole Weathers explores why residency programs must go beyond retention and help organizations build environments that sustain engagement long after orientation. | | |
Engagement isn’t a dashboard score—it’s how a shift feels when the work is heavy, and the support is real. In this episode, Dr. Nicole Weathers sits down with Dr. Katie Boston-Leary, Senior VP of Equity & Engagement at the American Nurses Association, to unpack why retention lags when organizations chase surveys instead of fixing the work itself. | | | | |
| | Free Preceptor Training for Iowa Nurses! | |
We’re excited to launch the new and improved Supporting Nurses: Training for Preceptors, Mentors, and Clinical Coaches 2025 — now available at no cost to nurses in Iowa!
In collaboration with the Midwest Clinical Instruction Regional Network (MCIRN), this updated training offers enhanced content, tools, and support for those guiding the next generation of nurses.
| | | | Marianna’s Journey in Nurse Residency | Hear from Marianna, a September 2024 cohort resident of the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program, as she shares how the program helped her adapt to night shifts, build confidence, and improve patient care in the ER. | |  | First Online Cohort of 2026 is in February | IONRP is excited to announce that the first online cohort of 2026 is starting in February! The enrollment deadline is January 30, 2026. Please contact program coordinator Amanda Bruscher for more information. | | | Conferences, Presentations, & Publications | |
| | Advocating for Rural Health in D.C. | Nicole Weathers, Director of the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program, will attend NRHA’s 37th Rural Health Policy Institute Feb. 10–12 in Washington, D.C. This event brings together rural health leaders to influence policy, share priorities with Congress, and advance sustainable change for rural communities. | | | | Complete Your Transition to Practice Experience | |
A successful transition to practice takes more than just classes. That’s why we go beyond nurse residency. At IONRP, we connect nurses, preceptors, leaders, and organizations with the tools, support, and practical resources they need to succeed—because when new nurses start strong, healthcare thrives. | | | | University of Iowa College of Nursing Opportunities | | Are you looking for a nationally ranked RN-BSN program for yourself or your nursing staff? Our entirely online program, with a low tuition of $17,600, offers flexibility for working nurses through three study plans (3-semester, 4-semester, or 5-semester). Our graduates are highly sought after by hospitals and other healthcare employers. | | | Health Systems/Administration | | | Simulation in Motion - Iowa (SIM-IA) | |
Attention Iowa hospitals!
SIM-IA is a unique program designed to provide simulated clinical learning opportunities in local communities across Iowa. With three mobile simulation trucks, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly-trained staff, SIM-IA will bring much needed continuing education to EMS and other emergency providers throughout the state.
| | | | | | By 2030, 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will be over 65, necessitating support and resources for an aging population. The Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence is uniquely positioned to unite people, organizations, and resources to meet these needs. Join us in creating a vibrant future where we can all age optimally. | | | | | |
