New nurse residency programs are designed primarily to?

• A. To increase work hours
• B. To speed up licensure
• C. To support new nurses in their first year and decrease turnover
• D. To replace mentors

Answer: (C)

New nurse residency programs are designed to ease the transition into professional practice by providing structured onboarding during the first year, with mentorship, guided clinical experiences, and ongoing education. The goal is to build competence, confidence, and integration into the healthcare team, which helps reduce turnover and improve long-term retention.

This focus on supporting new nurses during their initial year addresses the realities of learning in a complex clinical environment and the high turnover often seen early in careers. Increasing work hours isn’t about learning or safety and can contribute to burnout. Licensure timelines are determined by regulatory requirements and testing, not the residency program. Mentors aren’t meant to be replaced; they’re a central part of the residency, guiding and supporting the new nurse throughout the transition.