Initiative, offered by Idaho State University and others, aimed at reducing turnover

A new, free online rural nurse residency program will be available to nurses in January, and applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The grant-supported Northwest Rural Nurse Residency program is aimed at improving nurses' competence and satisfaction and preventing turnover. Idaho State University (ISU) and health organizations throughout the west and northwest are offering the instruction.

Participants in the one-year program receive all of their training -- 64-hours of seminars and a 104-hour supervised clinical experience -- in their own facilities. Web conferencing and high-tech simulation will be part of the instruction media.

Graduates receive a certificate as a rural nurse and rural nurse preceptor. To learn more, call the ISU Office of Professional Development at (208) 282-2982, e-mail visit the ISU Web site.