Nurse Residency Program earns ANCC PTAP reaccreditation with distinction

UC Davis Health’s New Graduate Nurse Residency Program (NGNRP) has once again earned accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) — the highest recognition awarded by the organization.

This national reaccreditation affirms UC Davis Health’s ongoing commitment to supporting new nurses and advancing clinical excellence. It highlights the program’s evidence-based curriculum, strong precepting and mentorship, and exceptional outcomes, including a first-year RN retention that is consistently above 93%, which far exceeds the national average. 

The ANCC PTAP appraisers noted several strengths of the program:

• A relationship-based care model that nurtures professional growth

• Simulation-based learning that enhances clinical thinking

• Strong structural supports and a culture of continuous improvement

• A robust Mentoring Program supported at the executive level, with protected time for mentor-mentee engagement

• A structured Transition to Practice Preceptor Program, led by dedicated coordinators and recognized through the prestigious Star Preceptor Awards

• A unique faculty evaluation model in which program directors and coordinators also evaluate faculty, providing more comprehensive support for educator development

Sabrina McKinney, director of Nursing Professional Development and the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing, said, “Reaccreditation is no small feat — it requires a detailed self-study, nurse resident surveys, and a comprehensive virtual site visit. Earning this distinction is a testament to the unwavering commitment, collaboration, and excellence of our nurse residents, preceptors, mentors, faculty, coordinators, and leaders across UC Davis Health.”  

Special thanks to Chief Nursing Executive Christine Williams; the Associate Chief Nursing Executives (ACNEs); unit directors and supervisors; preceptors; mentors; the Nurse Residency Program Directors and Coordinators (Alicia Vasey, Nancy Chiang, and Amie Ragasa-Sta. Maria); Cancer Center Site Coordinator Celia Peña; Practice Setting Coordinators and specialty area educators; Transition to Practice Preceptor Program Coordinators Monica Aguilar and Diane Mua; Mentorship Program Coordinators Denise Prudencio and Sandy Phan; and School Liaison Daniel Aquino, whose work with regional nursing schools supports strong academic-practice partnerships.

Together, this team delivers an evidence-based, continually evolving program that equips new nurses to transition into practice with confidence, preparing them to meet the complex and changing needs of modern health care.