At Spectrum Health Lakeland, we are proud to offer a nurse residency program to support our new graduate. This program helps you navigate the transition to professional practice and is intentionally structured to deliver content throughout your first year of practice.
Our program is designed to:
- Increase clinical confidence
- Provide peer support
- Develop relationships across the organization
The nurse residency program is led by nurse educators and emphasizes learning in these key areas:
Leadership
- Patient care delivery
- Inter-professional collaboration
- Conflict resolution
Quality Outcomes
- Critical thinking
- Changing patient outcomes
- Patient teaching
Professional Role
- Evidence-based practice
- Self-care and wellness
- Professional career development
As a new nurse, you can begin your career:
- As part of the LANA Program. This is a unique opportunity at Spectrum Health Lakeland, affording you the ability to work on a variety of units to see what the best fit for your career path may be.
- On a specific unit. If you have your heart set on a specific type of care or population, you can begin your career in many of the clinical areas listed.
- Transition to Practice Program. This medical-surgical centered path allows the experience for the full acquisition of foundational nursing skills and experiential knowledge of the interdisciplinary departments that are essential to the collaborative and skillful care of patients.
All 3 options are supported by the Nurse Residency Program.
Clinical areas participating in the program
All new graduate RNs hired into the areas listed below are automatically enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program. Participation in the program transitions with you throughout the system, as long as the area participates in the program.
St. Joseph Campus
- Critical Care
- Emergency Department
- Women and Children’s Services
- Orthopedics/Neurology
- Post-Surgical Care
- Cardiac Progressive Care
- Medical Oncology
- Pediatrics/ Medical Surgical
- Behavioral Health
- Perioperative Services
- Dialysis
Niles Campus
- Critical Care/Progressive Care
- Emergency Department
- Women and Children’s Services
- A2 Post-Surgical
- A3 Medical Telemetry
- Perioperative Services
Watervliet Campus
- Emergency Department
- Perioperative Services
- Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Orthopedics
Southwest Michigan is where RN's get their R&R.
Washed by Lake Michigan’s surf, home to magnificent fruit farms and rich cultural traditions, Southwest Michigan feels miles away from the ordinary with its quaint beach towns and miles of pristine beaches. But the opportunities to enjoy the best of the Lake Michigan shoreline are endless in Southwest Michigan. Discover local U-Pick farms, tour a local winery, schedule a tee time, enjoy a handcrafted beverage, and visit the farmer’s market.
Sun, beach and more benefits in Southwest Michigan
Toast and Tour Michigan Wineries: Fertile soils, moderate temperatures and ample rainfall make Southwest Michigan a prime region for winemaking. Interested in learning more? Get a glimpse here.
Schedule a tee time: With over 60 public and semi-private courses in the counties bordering Lake Michigan, tee times are plentiful for either a family beach/golf trip or a guys buddy trip.
Handcrafted Breweries: The craft beer craze continues to sweep across Michigan and it is clear the mitten was made for handcrafting some of the best brews in the land.
With over 1,000 acres, eight miles of trails, a nature center building, a tree top walkway and live native animals, Sarett Nature Center offers activities all year-round. From a butterfly house during the warm months to snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals in the winter, there is something for everyone.
Located just blocks from Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph is The John and Dede Howard Ice Rink is a partially enclosed, refrigerated NHL-sized outdoor rink. The rink is open to the weather outside and has a roof above it to help protect it from some of the colder days.
Fun isn't just for our summer months. Hit the slopes at nearby ski resort like, Bittersweet Ski Resort, Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area and Timber Ridge Ski area. Looking for something less active? Bundle up an check out one of Southwest Michigan's snowshoe, sledding, or snowmobile trails.
Lake Bluff Artisan Faire: Walk along the beautiful bluff and find all kinds of unique hand-crafted, homemade goods such as home décor, furniture, jewelry, candles, and clothing.