Memorial’s Nurse Residency Program Earns Renowned Accreditation

Memorial Medical Center’s LaunchPoint Nurse Residency Program on April 19, 2021, earned accreditation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). This ANCC program sets the global standard for residency or fellowship programs that transition registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses into new practice settings.

Memorial is the first PTAP-accredited residency program in Southern New Mexico and the only LifePoint Health facility out of 88 hospitals spanning the U.S. to receive this prestigious designation. Memorial is also one of just 201 facilities across the globe to earn this accreditation.

“This accreditation is a testimony to Memorial’s excellence in transitioning new graduate nurses to the bedside with a team who supports their growth, while offering access to the resources that they need for success,” said Beth Hendricks, RN, Launch Point Program Director at MMC. “It also supports a key part of MMC’s Vision, to be a place where employees want to work. I am so proud of my Residents!”

To date, more than 100 LaunchPoint nurse residents at MMC have transitioned from nursing school to being independent at the bedside in Medical Surgical, the Critical Care Unit, Observation Unit, Behavioral Health and the Emergency Department.

The final step in Memorial’s 1.5-year journey toward receiving accreditation was a virtual visit from the Credentialing Center appraiser team on March 30. All the presenters, including six residents, did a fantastic job touting the success of Memorial’s program.