COLUMBIA, Md. — Howard County General Hospital’s Nurse Residency Program recently received accreditation with distinction as a Practice Transition Program from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Every newly licensed nurse hired at HCGH is enrolled in the year-long program, which supports their transition to professional nurse.

The nurse residents complete formal, unit-based orientation and associated classes, online learning, and seminar-based education. The program includes structured presentations, critical thinking exercises, skill development and competency completion, peer support and mentoring.

“I am incredibly proud of our nurse residency program,” said Jennifer Baldwin, MPA, RN, vice president of Nursing/chief nursing officer at HCGH. “The program goes far beyond clinical orientation to prepare the residents to fulfill the professional role of nurses in delivering collaborative, patient-focused care. The topics in seminars are designed to address areas that warrant further discovery and understanding and to foster growth.”

HCGH is the fourth hospital in Maryland and the first in the Johns Hopkins Health System to receive this designation.

About Howard County General Hospital

Howard County General Hospital: A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine is a not-for-profit health care provider with 225 licensed beds located in Columbia, Maryland. A comprehensive, acute-care medical center, Howard County General offers a full range of services, from neonatal care and oncology to outpatient treatment and critical care.

The hospital has a professional staff of more than 900 physicians and allied health professionals, representing more than 90 specialties and subspecialties; a workforce of more than 1,800 individuals and over 300 volunteers.