Singing River Health System Launches New Nursing Residency Program
Singing River Health System has launched a new Nursing Residency Program aimed at strengthening support, training, and long-term retention for nurses entering the field. The initiative is led by Chief Nursing Officer, Rachel Kemp, who joined the health system in August, following an accomplished nursing leadership career in Memphis.
The Singing River Nursing Residency Program is a one-year jump-start into real-world nursing, designed to help first-year nurses grow and learn on the job. It is designed specifically for today’s new nurses, strengthening core clinical skills, building confidence and critical thinking, providing mentorship and peer support, and encouraging long-term growth within the system.
Rachel Kemp, DNP, MHA
Chief Nursing Officer“Many studies have found that most nurses leave the nursing field in their first year without the support and assistance that nursing residency programs can offer. One of the scariest times in nursing is their first year. Nursing school gives you a degree, and then we must build their confidence in their practice. That is what this program is all about.”
All new RN hires in their first year of practice are eligible to participate in the program. This includes student nurses approaching graduation in search of their first job as an RN, RNs in their first year of practice who want to change employers, and new RN graduates. By the end of the first year, residents will complete several mandatory certifications, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Simulation labs, mentorship, and team support are the pillars of the Singing River Nursing Residency Program. Residents will master hands-on skills in our advanced simulation lab before trying them in practice. Residents can learn and advance their skills alongside experienced nursing staff. Regular peer-to-peer meetings are scheduled, allowing residents to talk through workplace experiences in a safe space with nurses, instructors, and other residents. Additionally, Singing River’s strong team-based and “just culture” philosophy supports continuous learning and psychological safety for new nurses.