Baptist Health Nursing Practice Transition Program Receives Highest Accreditation Honor From the American Nurses Credentialing Center

Baptist Health South Florida announced the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has honored Baptist Health’s Versant RN Residency Program with an Accreditation with Distinction, the organization’s highest recognition.

“Achieving accreditation with distinction is a groundbreaking moment for our residency program,” said Marjorie Lima, R.N., Baptist Health South Florida transition program spokesperson. “The ANCC accreditation motivates us to keep improving in nursing excellence. Our program gives our graduates the confidence to enter into any clinical setting knowing they were trained with the most current, evidence-based best practices.”

Baptist Health is the only health system in the world to earn this achievement. The program began in August 2007 with 105 participants, and to date 1,186 nurses have completed the residency. The Versant program elevates nurse residency programs to the highest standards and sets the global standard for hospital residency programs that transition registered nurses into new practice settings.

“This milestone would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of Yvonne Brookes, R.N., director of Clinical Learning, and Marjorie Lima, R.N., manager of the Versant Program,” said Deborah Mulvihill, R.N., vice president and CNO. “I would also like to acknowledge the support from the entire Clinical Learning team, patient care leadership council, nursing directors, nursing managers, RN educators, preceptors, mentors, debriefers and subject matter experts. Our accomplishment reflects the efforts of the entire team.”

Baptist Health South Florida Versant RN Residency Program runs twice annually for a yearlong program. This program offers nurse residents training, competency and professional development, and support for the critical transition from graduation to clinical practice. Through supportive mentoring, coaching, and learning, RN residents develop clinical and leadership skills and are cultivated into nurse professionals who deliver high-quality patient care. This program earned ANCC accreditation with distinction.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital, and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. Not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services, and internationally renowned centers of excellence.

Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fund-raising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was just listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America (No. 19 in the nation and No. 1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the third year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute.

About The ANCC Accreditation Program
The ANCC Accreditation program recognizes the importance of high-quality continuing nursing education (CNE), skills-based competency, and nurse practice transition programs. Around the world, ANCC-accredited organizations provide nurses with the knowledge and skills to help improve care and patient outcomes. Accreditation by ANCC validates that a nursing residency or fellowship program has been operationalized to meet ANCC standards, regardless of whether the curriculum is developed in-house or purchased from a provider. Use of any course(s)/material(s)/service(s) does not imply eligibility for or successful performance in the submission of credential applications, nor is it a requirement to qualify for accreditation. ANCC does not endorse any products or services.

Contact: Dori Alvarez; 786-596-3050; [email protected]