Zaharaa Davood

Zaharaa Davood

As part of the #nursesofPA campaign, the Pennsylvania Action Coalition created 21 short videos featuring nurses from across the state of Pennsylvania. These videos capture the diverse experiences of nurses from all different backgrounds, scopes of practice, geographic locations, ages, and levels of expertise. Nurses share their unique narratives and explore their journeys, challenges, and successes in nursing. These nurses talk about who their most important influences are in keeping them in their profession.

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As part of the #nursesofPA campaign, the Pennsylvania Action Coalition created 21 short videos featuring nurses from across the state of Pennsylvania. These videos capture the diverse experiences of nurses from all different backgrounds, scopes of practice, geographic locations, ages, and levels of expertise. Nurses share their unique narratives and explore their journeys, challenges, and successes in nursing. In this video, nurses share who their most important influence is in keeping them in their profession. 

Connect With Us

 

As part of the #nursesofPA campaign, the Pennsylvania Action Coalition created 21 short videos featuring nurses from across the state of Pennsylvania. These videos capture the diverse experiences of nurses from all different backgrounds, scopes of practice, geographic locations, ages, and levels of expertise. Nurses share their unique narratives and explore their journeys, challenges, and successes in nursing. In this video, nurses share why they became interested in a nursing career. 

Connect With Us

 

As part of the #nursesofPA campaign, the Pennsylvania Action Coalition created 21 short videos featuring nurses from across the state of Pennsylvania. These videos capture the diverse experiences of nurses from all different backgrounds, scopes of practice, geographic locations, ages, and levels of expertise. Nurses share their unique narratives and explore their journeys, challenges, and successes in nursing. In the following videos, nurses share obstacles they overcame in their careers.

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Social Innovations Journal logo

Social innovations driven by Pennsylvania nurses were featured in Issue 43 of the Social Innovations Journal. This edition highlighted programs designed to improve health outcomes and the healthcare system in the Commonwealth. Examples include new approaches and collaborative efforts spearheaded by nurses to transform health systems by improving quality, safety, and communication. Innovations in nursing expand beyond technological advancements to new process methods and creative cross-sector partnerships.

The Pennsylvania Action Coalition partnered with the social Innovations Journal, and organized the Social Innovations Journal Symposium at the Free Library of Philadelphia on April 11 to highlight this transformational work.

Read Issue 43 of the Social Innovations Journal

 

Nurse residency programs assist in preparing nurses to transition from the role of a student nurse to the role of a professional registered nurse into clinical practice. Evidence shows that completing a nurse residency program provides new nurses with the necessary skillset and knowledge to provide safe, high-quality, patient-focused care. 

The Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition (PA-NWC) implements nurse residency programs in response to a key recommendation from the National Academy of Medicine, as outlined in The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011):

"Residency provides a continuing opportunity to apply important knowledge for the purpose of remaining a safe and competent provider in a continuous learning environment."

The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ (NRP), developed by Vizient® and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, supports new graduate nurses through data-driven solutions as they enter clinical practice. The evidence-based curriculum delivers on three key areas: leadership, patient outcomes, and professional development. The NRP helps organizations obtain and maintain Magnet designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The PA-NWC aims to increase the number of health care institutions with the NRP through its strategic partnership with Vizient, Inc.

The PA Nurse Residency Collaborative (PA-NRC)

The PA-NRC was established in 2016 as a partnership of the PA-NWC and Vizient, Inc. to implement residency programs in Pennsylvania and to provide an additional layer of support.

All hospitals and health systems in Pennsylvania that have purchased the Vizient/AACN PA-Nurse Residency Program (NRP) are members of the PA-NRC. 

  • Benefits of participating in the PA-NRC include:
  • Direct advancement of a key recommendation of the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) to implement nurse residency programs
  • Access to the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program at a discounted rate
  • Participation in state-specific resources and state-layer support from the PA-NRC:
  1. Training and program coordination
  2. Communications and resource sharing
  3. Networking - Quarterly virtual/in-person meetings with Steering Council leadership, Vizient Annual Conference, PA-NRC Summit with the PA Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL)

 

Key PA-NRC Initiatives

  • Increase the number of hospitals with nurse residency programs: In November 2016 we formally began our collaboration with Vizient, Inc. and the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative (PA-NRC) was formed. In January 2018 we had 52 hospitals contracted through the PA-NRC. As of August 2025, a total of 78 hospitals are a part of the PA-NRC. We are always signing new hospitals with the goal of bringing the NRP to every hospital across Pennsylvania.

  • Advance programs throughout Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Nurse Residency Collaborative (PA-NRC) advances residency programs and fosters collaboration among hospitals across PA that participate in the Vizient|AACN Nurse Residency Program. The PA-NRC works to address the diverse needs of hospitals and health systems across PA. The PA-NRC provides a forum for best practices and resource sharing at the state level to ensure the success of each program. 

Who is the PA-NRC?

Learn why the PA-NRC was founded, who the PA-NRC is, and how we can help you in bolstering the success of your NRP.

Additionally, if you do not have the NRP at your institution, we invite you to watch this webinar to learn more about the PA-NRC and how we could partner to better support nurses in their transition to practice.

 Learn More About PA-NRC 

 

The Impact of the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program in Pennsylvania

*Data is based on the calendar year 

 

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025
% of PA acute care hospitals that participate in the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative

78 of 156 (50%) 

78 of 156 (50%) 

64 of 156  (41%) 

77 of 146 (53%) 

Will be available in March, 2026 
# of PA GNs that graduate from the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative  4697 4953 5416 4598 Will be available in March, 2026 
One year retention rate for PA Graduate Nurses that participate in the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative  84% 88% 90% 90% Will be available in March, 2026 
One-year National retention rate   75.9% 1 75.9% 1 75.9% 1 76.2% 2 Will be available in March, 2026 
# of additional PA Graduate Nurses retained because of the Nurse Residency Collaborative   380 599 763 634 Will be available in March, 2026 
Turnover cost avoidance ($88,000*/ GN)3 for PA  $33.4 million saved $52.7 million saved $67.2 million saved $55.8 milion saved Will be available in March, 2026 

*[One year retention rate for PA graduate nurses that participate in the PA-NRC - one year national retention rate] x [# of PA GNs that graduate from the PA-NRC x turnover cost avoidance ($88,000/GN)]  

1 NSI Nursing Solutions Incorporated (2021). 2021 National Heath Care Retention & RN Staffing Report. Accessed at:  https://www.emergingrnleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NSI_National_Health_Care_Retention_Report.pdf 

2 NSI Nursing Solutions Incorporated (2024). 2024 NSI National Heath Care Retention & RN Staffing Report. Retrieved from https://www.nsinursingsolutions.com/Documents/Library/NSI_National_Health_Care_Retention_Report.pdf 

3 Jones C. Revisiting nurse turnover costs, adjusting for inflation. Journal of Nursing Administration; January 2008. 

Learn More About PA-NRC

Participating PA-NRC Health Systems & Hospitals

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Excela Health

  • Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital
  • Excela Health Latrobe Hospital
  • Excela Health Frick Hospital

Geisinger Health System

  • Geisinger Lewistown
  • Geisinger Medical Center, Danville
  • Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre
  • Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton

Guthrie Health Clinic

  • Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital
  • Guthrie Corning Hospital
  • Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
  • Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital - Towanda Campus
  • Guthrie Troy Community Hospital
  • Guthrie Lourdes

Indiana Regional Medical Center

  • Indiana RMC

Jefferson Health System

  • Einstein Healthcare Network
  • Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
  • Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park
  • Willowcrest, Philadelphia
  • MossRehab, Elkins Park
  • Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, East Norriton
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
  • Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation
  • Jefferson Health - Northeast 
  • Jefferson Bucks Hospital, Langhorne
  • Jefferson Frankford Hospital, Philadelphia
  • Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, Philadelphia
  • Jefferson Abington Hospital
  • Jefferson Lansdale Hospital

Lehigh Valley Health Network

  • Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown
  • Lehigh Valley Hospital- 17th Street, Allentown
  • Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg, Bethlehem

Main Line Health System

  • Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood
  • Paoli Hospital, Paoli
  • Riddle Memorial Hospital, Media
  • Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr
  • Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Bryn Mawr

Penn State Health

  • Hershey Medical Center
  • Holy Spirit Medical Center
  • Hampden Medical Center
  • St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading

Temple University Health System

  • Temple University Hospitals

Tower Health

  • Reading Hospital, West Reading

University of Pennsylvania Health System

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, and Penn Presbyterian Hospital
  • Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster
  • Good Shepherd Penn Partners
  • Chester County Hospital, West Chester
  • Princeton Medical Center

UPMC Health System

  • UPMC Bedford
  • UPMC Susquehanna, Williamsport Divine Campus
  • UPMC Susquehanna,Muncy
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Lititz
  • UPMC Susquehanna, Cole
  • UPMC Susquehanna, Wellsboro
  • UPMC Somerset
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Hanover
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Carlisle
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Memorial
  • UPMC Horizon
  • UPMC Northwest
  • UPMC Jameson
  • UPMC Pinnacle, West Shore
  • UPMC Susquehanna, Lock Haven
  • UPMC Chautauqua
  • UPMC McKeesport
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Community Osteopathic
  • UPMC East
  • UPMC St Margaret
  • UPMC Susquehanna, Williamsport
  • UPMC Altoona
  • UPMC Passavant
  • UPMC Western Psych
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg
  • UPMC Children's
  • UPMC Magee
  • UPMC Mercy
  • UPMC Hamot
  • UPMC Shadyside
  • UPMC Presbyterian

Vizient NRP Resources

Steering Council

The PA-NWC established the PA-NRC Steering Council to support the PA-NRC. The Steering Council is comprised of individuals from PA-NRC member institutions. The Steering Council leads the development of PA-NRC programs with a goal of state-wide collaboration, support of PA-NRC Coordinators, and the professional development of new graduate nurses across Pennsylvania. 

 

Click here to learn about all our initiatives 
Jan 10, 2019

Practice

nurse practitioner The Pennsylvania Action Coalition works actively on initiatives designed to improve consumer experience through better access to high-quality care and fostering interprofessional collaboration to improve quality and safety of care.

Removing the scope-of-practice barriers allows nurses to contribute to a patient-centered, seamless, transformed healthcare system. The Campaign for Action is leading efforts to modernize outdated policies (public and private), change state and federal laws and regulations, and remove cultural and organizational barriers.

Private and public funders, health care organizations, nursing education programs, and nursing associations should expand opportunities for nurses to lead and manage collaborative efforts with physicians and other members of the health care team to conduct research and to redesign and improve practice environments and health systems. These entities should also provide opportunities for nurses to diffuse successful practices. Nurses are at the forefront of redesigning care. Nurses can transform practice to be safer and more responsive to the needs of patients and their families.

Key Initiatives

  • Increase consumer access to high quality care: The PA-AC and its partners actively support efforts to modernize scope of practice in Pennsylvania. For ongoing efforts to increase access to care delivered by nurses practitioners, visit PA Coalition of Nurse Practitioners Care for PA and stay tuned in 2019 legislation. 
  • Foster and disseminate interprofessional collaboration to improve quality and safety of care: PA-AC works to create forums that promote nurses spearheading healthcare innovations and working in interdisciplinary teams such as the Innovation Video Contest and the Social Innovations in Nursing Journal edition. The PA-AC is also committed to eliminating preventable deaths in partnership with the Patient Safety Movement Foundation’s APSS for 0X2020

Click here to access the Social Innovations in Nursing Journal edition

 Click here to learn about all our initiatives