• Jessica L Patel, Carly A Grzehowiak, Laura O Douglas, Anna D Dunahoe, Jody Y Collins, Angela R Cushman, and Heidi E Gilroy.
• System Respiratory Educator and Resource, System Clinical Education, Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston, Texas. Jessica.Patel@memorialhermann.org.
• Respir Care. 2024 Oct 22.

BackgroundWorkforce issues have highlighted the fact that newly graduated respiratory therapists (RTs) need more support during their transition to practice; however, there are few data on best practices for RT residency programs.MethodsThe aim of this project was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a residency program for licensed RTs with < 1 y of experience post graduation. The approach to improve new graduate transition to practice included a streamlined clinical-based orientation, didactic learning, evidence-based practice plan, and incorporated simulation. Data were collected in a secure electronic database at a multi-campus health care system utilizing anonymous questionnaires. The participants responded to questions about demographic information, overall confidence, clinical skills, and knowledge base topic confidence.ResultsParticipant responses reported an increase in their overall factor score measures for role confidence, clinical skills, and knowledge-based topics.ConclusionsThe collected responses showed an increase in a wide range of clinical skills and other soft skills. These results indicate that a respiratory care residency program adds value to the training, overall well-being, and retention of the newly graduated RT.Copyright © 2024 by Daedalus Enterprises.

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