Nurse Residency Program Marks Milestone with Cohort 22 Graduation
On May 7, 2026, San Luis Valley Health celebrated a special milestone as Cohort 22 of the Nurse Residency Program completed their year long journey. Six residents, Destiny Chavez, Tayler Duncan, Kinsey Krupa, Benito Martinez, Nicole Peyer, and Jamie Spangler, were honored for their dedication, growth, and commitment to patient care.
Since launching in 2018, the Nurse Residency Program has continued to shape the next generation of nurses. With 22 cohorts now complete, a total of 80 nurses have successfully graduated from the program, creating a strong foundation for quality care across the organization.
The graduation ceremony highlighted not only the achievements of the residents but also the meaningful projects they developed throughout the year. Destiny Chavez, Tayler Duncan, Kinsey Krupa, and Nicole Peyer presented on a Breast Milk Donation Program and shared their patient education project focused on breastfeeding education. Benito Martinez and Jamie Spangler presented on Aromatherapy and introduced their patient education project on proper care of urinary catheters at home. Each project reflected the residents’ growing clinical knowledge and their commitment to improving patient outcomes through education and innovation.
The program is guided by dedicated instructors Kate Blount, MSN Ed, RN, NPD BC, Angela Hernandez, MSN Ed, RN, and Brittany Sours, MSN Ed, RN, CEN, CPEN, NPD BC, whose mentorship has helped shape each resident’s success. The ceremony also featured a keynote address from Adena Ross, MSN, RN, CEN, who shared insight and encouragement as the graduates prepare for the next stage of their careers.
The event concluded with the presentation of certifications and pins, marking the residents’ transition from new graduates to confident professional nurses.
The Nurse Residency Program is grounded in evidence-based practice and is designed to support nurses during their first year in the field. Research shows that programs like this help strengthen confidence and clinical skills. Throughout the year, residents focus on critical thinking, clinical judgment, interdisciplinary collaboration, emotional intelligence, and patient safety and infection control.
Looking ahead, Cohort 23 began in January and will complete the program in November, while Cohort 24 is set to begin in June. Each new group continues the program’s mission of supporting nurses and strengthening the future of patient care in the San Luis Valley.