COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The nurse-residency program at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown has received its second accreditation as a practice-transition program, or PTAP. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) commission on accreditation in practice transition programs awarded the certification. ANCC is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, per its website. The accomplishment included designation with distinction, […]
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The nurse-residency program at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown has received its second accreditation as a practice-transition program, or PTAP.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) commission on accreditation in practice transition programs awarded the certification. ANCC is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, per its website.
The accomplishment included designation with distinction, the highest honor the ANCC PTAP program can award, Bassett Medical Center noted.
Bassett went on to explain that this ANCC accreditation validates that a nurse-residency program provides a structured, evidence-based transition process for new nurses entering clinical practice. Programs earning “with distinction” status “go above and beyond these standards, showcasing exemplary outcomes, leadership commitment, and continuous improvement.” The honor reflects Bassett’s “dedication to fostering professional growth, improving patient care, and supporting nurses during one of the most critical phases of their careers.”
“This accreditation from the ANCC represents many months of hard work and reflects Bassett Medical Center’s high standards for training nurses who are entering the workforce through evidence-based practice and learning,” Samuel Campbell, director of nursing quality, education, and magnet programming at Bassett Healthcare Network, said in the announcement. “Our nurse residency program is unique for a rural hospital and offers a path for newly graduated nurses to enter practice with mentorship, real-world simulation scenarios, and immersion in clinical settings. Our graduates come out ready to face the demands of our modern healthcare environment.”
About the program
Bassett’s nurse-residency program is a year-long formal program designed to support recently graduated registered nurses as they transition into their first professional roles. ANCC first accredited the program in 2022, and the accreditation “sets the global standard” for residency programs that transition registered nurses into new practice settings, Bassett contended.
Over the course of 12 months, nurse residents in the program attend seminars, participate in clinical simulations, and work on quality-improvement projects. The program offers “intensive immersion” into the clinical environment and prepares new graduate nurses for professional practice.
Reaccreditation with distinction involved a written application highlighting key evidence-based elements of the nurse residency program that included information on Bassett’s program achievements, how it has evolved since its inception, quality outcome data, and virtual interviews with educators, preceptors, and nurse residents.
Bassett Medical Center’s PTAP accreditation is valid for four years. Reaccreditation efforts will take place again in 2028.
The AANC PTAP team highlighted multiple strengths for Bassett Medical Center’s nurse-residency program, including its strong mentorship and multi-model teaching style, allowing for hands-on demonstration and engaging content, per the Bassett announcement.
“I am incredibly proud of our Nursing team at Bassett Medical Center. This accreditation is a tremendous achievement,” Angela Belmont, registered nurse and senior VP, chief nursing executive at Bassett Healthcare Network, said. “We have built a culture of collaboration at Bassett that embraces nurses as key influencers in the organization – and it starts with our education programs and how we are preparing the next generation of nursing professionals. For nurses who are entering the field and want to build a meaningful and distinguished career, Bassett has a place for you.”
