Your Stories: Saint Mary’s Honors Nurse Residents at Graduation Ceremony

Shawna Edwards, RN, MSN, DNP, Chief Nursing Officer; Lisa Roy, RN, NPD0BC, BCEN, DNP, Manager of Nursing Professional Practice; and Sally Silva, MSN, RN, Nurse Residency Program Coordinator, pose with the 15th Nurse Residency Cohort.

Graduates Cyanne DeJesus, RN, Intermediate Care, and Ashley Wagoner, RN, Emergency Department, collaborated to deliver an inspirational class address. Cyanne passionately described the benefits of the nurse residency program, saying, "This residency wasn’t just about becoming excellent nurses; it was about becoming healthier, stronger people. We were reminded that we can’t provide exceptional care to our patients if we are not taking care of ourselves.” Ashley emphasized the importance of self-care and highlighted the difference the graduates are making as nurses, stating, “Beyond the clinical skills and documentation, we’ve held our patients’ hands during the hardest moments of their lives, served as patient advocates and comforted families in crisis.”      

Ashley was also honored as the first recipient of the Nurse Residency Coordinator Award for Excellence for her exceptional clinical skills, compassion, professionalism and leadership during the residency program.

The graduation ceremony closed with all nurses and nursing students in attendance standing as one to recite "A Nurse's Prayer." The graduates presented their evidence-based projects following the ceremony.

Story submitted by Sally Silva MSN, RN, Nurse Residency Program Coordinator.

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