San Luis Valley Health Celebrates Nurse Residency Graduation: Cohort 19 Reveals Bedside Report Project

San Luis Valley Health was delighted to honor the graduation of Nurse Residency Cohort 19 on May 7th, 2025, as the culmination of a year of clinical excellence and professional development for new graduates. The ceremony was coordinated by the education team: Kate Blount, MSN, Ed, RN; Angela Hernandez, MSN-Ed, RN; and Brittany Sours, MSN-Ed, RN, CEN, CPEN.

Keynote speaker Bethany Caton, ACNP-C, delivered a heartfelt address to the graduates and guests. Caton reflected, "I became a nurse because I knew this career was the best way to make a living while serving my community," reminding new nurses to "remember your why." She encouraged them to commit to lifelong learning, reflecting, "The best nurses never stop learning," and encouraged them to prioritize life balance to ensure strength in their work.

Cohort 19 showcased their year-long evidence-based project, which focused on the Implementation of Bedside Report in the Emergency Room. The presentation highlighted the use of the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication tool to improve patient handoffs. Their findings demonstrated a 24% reduction in patient falls, fewer medication errors, and higher patient satisfaction scores due to improved communication and patient awareness during care transitions. The unit described how the practice would be implemented across SLVH's ER to enhance patient safety and quality of care even more.

Tyler Hayden, RN and Linjia Chen, RN

The ceremony concluded with graduates Linjia Chen, RN; Tyler Hayden, RN; and Audra Morris, RN, being awarded ceremonial pins and certifications. A reception and refreshments followed, too, in honor of these new professionals' dedication and development.

Congratulations to Cohort 19 – the future of nursing is in good hands.