Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program

03/24/2026

TODAY!!! IONRP is exhibiting at the 2026 ANPD Aspire Convention in Louisville, KY! Stop by Booth 412 to meet our site coordinators, Jess Ociepka and Amanda Bruscher.

We’re also proud to highlight that our Director, Nicole Weathers, will be presenting her session:
Racing Toward Retention: An Organizational Framework for Nurse Engagement
📅 Friday, March 27, 2026
⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM ET

Nicole’s session explores a comprehensive framework designed to support nurses’ evolving needs through competency, safety, belonging, and esteem—powered by human, social, and psychological capital.

03/23/2026

IONRP BLOG! Creating Healthy Work Environments in Nursing

This month, Nicole dives into a topic that impacts every nurse and every healthcare organization: what healthy work environments truly look like—and how we bring them to life through everyday practice.

She also sits down with Rebekah Marsh, President of American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), for an inspiring conversation in this month’s Beyond Nurse Residency podcast (Episode 3) about how evidence‑based standards can support nurse wellbeing, engagement, and retention.

Read the March blog here 👇
https://bit.ly/4kY1j0l

03/22/2026

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. 💙

03/19/2026

We’re excited to share that the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program will be an exhibitor at the 2026 ANPD Aspire Convention in Louisville, KY! Join us March 23–27 and stop by Booth 412 to meet our site coordinators, Jess Ociepka and Amanda Bruscher.

We’re also proud to highlight that our Director, Nicole Weathers, will be presenting her session:
Racing Toward Retention: An Organizational Framework for Nurse Engagement
📅 Friday, March 27, 2026
⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM ET

Nicole’s session explores a comprehensive framework designed to support nurses’ evolving needs through competency, safety, belonging, and esteem—powered by human, social, and psychological capital.

We can’t wait to reconnect with NPD practitioners from around the country. Will you be there?

Register here: http://www.anpd.org/aspire

03/18/2026

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

03/17/2026

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/

03/16/2026

Our mission is to support new nurses, and that means supporting you. Each month, we share a blog, a podcast episode, and meaningful insights for the leaders who guide and grow the nursing workforce. We would love to have you with us.

Sign Up for our newsletter: https://conta.cc/4bqkkUX

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03/15/2026

🎙️ Ready for a fresh perspective on healthy work environments? Our March episode delivers.

In episode 3 of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast, AACN President Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN, joins host Nicole Weathers for a powerful conversation about what shapes a healthy work environment and how evidence-based standards support engagement, retention, and patient outcomes.

The featured clip highlights the heart of the discussion and why human-centered work matters in every healthcare setting.

🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/3N47vYj

03/13/2026

Congratulations, Simulation in Motion-IA 🎉

03/12/2026

Meet our newest Resident Spotlight, Noelle Fjeld from Spencer Hospital’s blended nurse residency program. Noelle shares how discussions with fellow new nurses and instructors helped her build confidence during that first year.

We’re proud to feature Noelle and to continue our long partnership with Spencer Hospital, who has been with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program since 2014. 💚

Read her full spotlight: https://bit.ly/3pmKnsk

03/10/2026

🎙️ Our March episode is here!

Season 3, Episode 3 of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN, President of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Together, she and host Nicole Weathers explore what it really takes to create healthy work environments — and why these standards matter for engagement, retention, satisfaction, and patient outcomes.

Rebekah shared a message we all needed to hear:
💬 “Start with the grace to stumble through it, then go read the standards and just begin.”

This episode is full of practical ideas and real encouragement for leaders, educators, preceptors, and new graduate nurses.

🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/3N47vYj
💬 Share with someone who cares about building better environments for nurses!