This summer, Samford University's Ida Moffett School of Nursing welcomed the inaugural cohort of 10 nurse practitioner residents. Ida Moffett School of Nursing received a $3.5 million nurse practitioner resident grant to launch the school's first residency program and place family nurse practitioner graduates in rural, underserved areas for primary care residency.
The Advanced Nursing Education — Nurse Practitioner Residency Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is designed to prepare new nurse practitioners to deliver high-quality primary care in community-based settings.
The inaugural cohort of 10 was selected from a highly competitive group of applicants. The group comes to Samford from five states and five different universities. They offer a diverse range of experience and age, but they share a passion for serving in underprivileged settings.
During the year-long residency program, each resident will train under an assigned nurse practitioner preceptor and collaborating physician as they complete their clinical hours. Each resident was assigned a primary location in a clinic in a medically underserved community. They will complete mentored clinical hours in specialty clinics located throughout the state. In addition, residents will complete experiential learning activities under the supervision of Ida Moffett School of Nursing faculty.
"There are unique complexities which occur when providing care to rural and underserved populations," said Stephanie Wynn, assistant dean of scholarly activities for Ida Moffett School of Nursing and grant project director. "Nearly 44% of Alabama's population is living in rural areas, yet 70% of primary care physicians practice within Alabama's five largest counties. Our residents will be prepared to fill this gap and meet the heath care needs of our rural population."
Residents will receive specialty training in value-based care, telehealth, obesity and mental health issues. In addition, they will hone skills in ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, treating chronic conditions, prescribing medications and other treatments, managing patients' care, counseling and providing education related to disease prevention and health promotion.
"For nearly 20 years, the nurse practitioner programs at Ida Moffett School of Nursing have sought to prepare well-trained, compassionate caregivers. We believe this residency program builds upon that foundation and perpetuates the clinical excellence and professional confidence of program participants," said Jill Cunningham, professor and nurse practitioner department chair.
Residents began rotations July 1, 2020. Applications for the next nurse practitioner residency will open October 1, 2020.
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an award totaling $3,500,000 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
