A unique program that gives new nurses the experience they need and enhances seasoned nurses’ leadership skills is the recipient of one of HCA’s most prestigious awards.
VNS’ Health Nurse Residency Program, represented by Yvonne Eaddy, Monica Cayemitte, Elizer Cooper-Audain and Alice Rainford Miller, will receive the HCA Trailblazer Award at the Annual Conference this May.
Through a mix of classroom and hands-on skills training, the program introduces recent graduates to home health care, followed by an intensive in-field mentorship under the supervision of RN Preceptors.
The two-year program is built upon an evidence-based curriculum designed to support the transition to practice for recent nursing school graduates who are licensed, or nurses new to the home care specialty, with less than a year of nursing experience. The Nurse Residency Program includes classroom activity, shadow visits alongside veteran nurses, and support in the field. Residents are paired with experienced field nurses assigned as their “Preceptors,” who support their development in hands-on patient care skills and help residents become more confident.
Following its successful launch in the Brooklyn area three years ago, the program recently expanded into the Bronx.
On a very practical level, nurses in the program are developing critical competencies such as communication skills, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. The program has also had ripple impacts on the well-being and education of nurses, and in improving the quality of the care patients receive.
Meet the four women behind this innovative program:
Yvonne Eaddy, Vice President, Regional Patient Care Services, RN, BSN, MSN
During her four decades at VNS Health, Yvonne Eaddy has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. She is a passionate champion for home health care and has worked continuously with an eye towards caring for those in need and improving the quality of their lives. She is responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating day-to-day patient care services for every neighborhood in Brooklyn and Staten Island. In her role, Yvonne oversees these regions’ interdisciplinary home care teams, ensuring they achieve targeted staffing-patient ratios and providing supervisory support on all levels. She also manages VNS Health’s Maternity-Newborn Pediatrics program in Brooklyn and is the program head of home care behavioral health services for VNS Health’s home care division. In her own words: “I often ask myself ‘How do we ensure that patients living in the community have what they need so that they can thrive?”
Monica Cayemitte, Clinical Manager, Nurse Residency Program, Home Care from VNS Health, BSN,RN CCM COS-C
Throughout her career at VNS Health, Monica Cayemitte has distinguished herself as a leader in the home health care field and in strengthening the work of home care nurses. Monica started her career at VNS Health as a Clinical Field Manager in the Queens region, quickly moving to a management role for the organization’s Maternity-Newborn Pediatrics (MNP) program and its Behavioral Health specialty programs in the Queens region. From there, she went on to become Branch Director for VNS Health Home Care’s Westchester Region. In 2020, Monica took on a new role as Clinical Manager for the Nurse Residency Program and Home Care Infusion and began collaborating with VNS Health’s Clinical Education department on improving the onboarding process for all new Home Care clinicians. Monica’s quick rise into leadership roles is indicative of the skill and vision she exhibits, always with an eye towards improving the field of home health, providing better care to patients, and increasing support and retention of home health nurses.
Elizer Cooper-Audain, Associate Vice President, Education and Development, RN, MSN-ED
A key leader at VNS Health for 20+ years, Elizer, who currently oversees VNS Health’s Education and Professional Department, has worked closely with players across the organization to develop the curriculum for the Nurse Residency program. In addition, Elizer and her team had to respond quickly to the changing needs as the pandemic coincided with the start of the Residency Program.
“Having to move on a dime and begin educating virtually in such a short turnaround time was a challenge,” says Elizer. “My entire team did an amazing job in response to COVID-19. We were in the last week of orientation when we had to pack up and prepare to work remotely. We completed the orientation virtually, and then prepared for subsequent months of new hire orientation, as well as the new nurse resident program.”
Starting as a Clinical Intake Manager at VNS Health, Elizer quickly worked her way up to her current role, helping shape the training RNs at the organization receive, and educating them to become stronger clinicians. In her time working in clinical education, Elizer also worked as an adjunct professor at St. Paul’s School of Nursing, developing the curriculum and syllabi for her classes, giving her key insight as she continues to oversee curriculum development for the Nurse Residency Program.
Alice Rainford- Miller, Clinical Education Manager, RN, MSN, CCM
Alice has demonstrated her expertise in nursing education and nurse management by strengthening the education components of the Nurse Residency Program. She is the dedicated educator for the nurse residents and supports, mentors, and works directly with each cohort for the two years. She also plays a key collaborative role with Home Care Clinical Operations to facilitate the Residents successful transition to the practice setting.
As her colleagues have said, “Alice has so many projects and assignments on her plate. However, she is never too busy to answer any questions anyone on the team might have or assist in any way she can. Her deep well of knowledge has been a huge asset to the team. Every day she goes above and beyond for those she teaches and presents to. Her professionalism shines even in the most difficult of situations.”