Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program

04/13/2026

Free Preceptor Training for Iowa Nurses!

The IONRP Preceptor training course, Supporting Nurses: Training for Preceptors, Mentors, and Clinical Coaches, is available at no cost to Iowa learners. Through our collaboration with the Midwest Clinical Instruction Regional Network (MCIRN), the program features refreshed materials, content, and support.

After completing the training, learners may apply for the MCIRN Advanced Preceptor Fellowship—an opportunity for advanced preceptor development that includes a stipend and 29 continuing education hours.

MCIRN Advanced Preceptor Fellowship registration closes on April 25th, 2026!

👉 Learn more and enroll here: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/IONRP/MCIRNCollaboration

04/12/2026

Competency shouldn’t stop at checking boxes.

When nurses have options in how they demonstrate what they know, competency stops being about compliance—and starts building professional practice.

In her latest blog, Nicole Weathers, DNP, RN, NPD‑BC, reflects on how shifting how we approach competency can shape engagement, ownership, and growth.

👉 Read the full blog: https://bit.ly/4v8I49o

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

IONRP had an incredible experience at the 2026 ANPD Aspire Convention! 🎉

Our team exhibited, attended educational sessions, and shared how IONRP supports nurses during their transition to practice. We were also proud to contribute to national discussions on nurse engagement, retention, and professional development.

Want to know what inspired us and what ideas we’re bringing back to our programs?

The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) was an exhibitor at the 2026 ANPD Aspire Convention, held March 23–27 in Louisville, Kentucky. The national conference brought together nurse professional development (NPD) leaders for education, collaboration, and innovation.IONRP site coordinators

04/08/2026

We are pleased to share that Jessica Ociepka, MSN, RN-BC, Coordinator for the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program, will represent our team at the ANCC Professional Development & Practice (PDP) Summit, held April 14–17, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.

As a Summit Ally Sponsor, we will also host a designated sponsor table, inviting attendees to connect with us and learn more about how our program supports nurse transition‑to‑practice initiatives nationwide.

Learn More: https://pdpsummit.nursingworld.org/

04/07/2026

The April episode of Beyond Nurse Residency, Season 3, Episode 4, is out now. Hosted by Nicole Weathers and presented by IONRP, this episode welcomes Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD‑BC, from Creative Health Care Management - CHCM to discuss a more thoughtful approach to competency in nursing practice.

Competency is often treated as a box to check, but real growth does not work that way. Supporting nurses means recognizing that learning, adaptation, and confidence develop over time and through experience. Shifting from proving competency to nurturing it can help nurses truly thrive.

Listen to the full conversation with Donna Wright:
https://bit.ly/3QcieRx

04/06/2026

Our residents mean the world to us. Their first year as practicing nurses is full of challenges, learning, and moments that shape who they become. We’re honored to walk beside them through that journey.

Our coordinators support them not only as educators but as trusted guides. They meet with online residents one-on-one, help them navigate tough situations, and remind them that they’re not alone. Their encouragement keeps our residents moving forward and staying excited about nursing.

For National Nurses Week 2026, we want to share the stories of residents who inspire their teams and make a difference every day. If you know someone who deserves to be celebrated, we would love to hear about them.

Nominations are open through April 30, 2026.
Submit here: https://bit.ly/4syhhkv

Thank you for helping us lift up the next generation of nurses. 💙

04/05/2026

April Updates from the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program

Our work continues to expand beyond residency as we support nurses and organizations through coaching through our academy, clinician wellbeing, preceptor development, and insights from the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast.

Read the April newsletter to see how we are supporting nursing engagement and retention nationwide: https://conta.cc/4bXE5Ua

Email from Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program IONRP Leadership at ANPD Aspire 2026 The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program team recently exhibited at the 2026 ANPD

04/03/2026

DEADLINE TODAY!

Partner with us before hiring your new graduate nurses to ensure a seamless transition from onboarding through orientation and residency. The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) offers two flexible delivery options to help every facility succeed:

✨ Online – A virtual program designed for facilities without established residency infrastructure.
✨ Blended – Online learning paired with on‑site discussion groups led by your own residency coordinator.

No matter which format you choose, your new nurses receive the structured support they need for a confident transition into practice.

➡️ Learn more & enroll your facility today: https://bit.ly/46gjCpd

04/02/2026

What if competency was more than a checklist?

In her latest IONRP blog, Nicole Weathers, DNP, RN, NPD‑BC, reflects on how traditional competency models, often driven by fear, compliance, and the need for proof, can unintentionally undermine engagement. Drawing from her conversation with Donna Wright, she explores how shifting the way competency is validated can build safety, belonging, and professional esteem.

When nurses have a voice, choice, and ownership in competency, it stops being about checking boxes and starts shaping professional practice.

👉 Read the full blog:
https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp/blog/04/01/26/competency

04/01/2026

New Podcast Episode | Beyond Nurse Residency Season 3, Episode 4

Competency That Supports Nurses with Donna Wright

Competency is often treated as a task to complete or a requirement to check off. In this episode of Beyond Nurse Residency, we explore a different approach.

Host Nicole Weathers is joined by nationally recognized competency expert Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC, Creative Health Care Management - CHCM, for a thoughtful discussion on how competency can truly support nurses, strengthen confidence, and foster engagement over time.

Listeners will hear how traditional, task-focused models can unintentionally create fear, frustration, and disengagement, especially for new nurses and high performers. Donna shares a more human-centered approach that emphasizes ownership, empowerment, accountability, and trust while reflecting real nursing practice.

This episode is especially valuable for nurse leaders, educators, and NPD practitioners seeking practical ways to simplify competency processes while supporting nurses throughout their professional development.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/3QcieRx

03/31/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Director, Nicole Weathers, on being named one of just 18 University of Iowa staff members to receive a 2026 Staff Council Award.

Nicole’s leadership of the University of Iowa College of Nursing Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program reflects the very best of the University of Iowa’s mission. Through her vision and dedication, IONRP has grown from a grant-funded initiative into a nationally recognized program, supporting thousands of new graduate nurses across multiple states. Her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and workforce retention continues to strengthen nursing practice and expand the impact of our program nationwide.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and grateful to work alongside such an inspiring leader.

🔗 Read more about this year’s Staff Council Award recipients:

Eighteen University of Iowa staff members received 2026 Staff Council Awards for achievements ranging from excellence in service to accomplishments that significantly benefit the university.