https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390318807968 Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 1–10 © The Author(s) 2018 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/1078390318807968 japna.sagepub.com Continuing Education Article Introduction A new graduate nurse residency program (NRP) was devel- oped at a large, metropolitan acute freestanding psychiatric hospital in southern California in 2009. The NRP has an evi- dence-based curriculum using adult and experiential learning theories, which has been correlated with improved skills and behaviors among nursing students (Ferguson & Day, 2007; Kolb, Boyatzis, & Mainemelis, 2001). The NRP curriculum incorporates Benner’s novice to expert framework. Since new graduate nurses (NGNs) are considered advanced begin- ners, they lack expertise and experience in prioritizing and confidence in caring for patients with complex clinical issues (Beecroft, Kunzman, Taylor, Devenis, & Guzek, 2004; Benner, 1984; Goode, Lynn, McElroy, Bednash, & Murray, 2013). Benner’s framework facilitates sequencing and priori- tizing of knowledge and to develop clinical judgment and decision making. Additionally, and most important, because of immediate entry into the specialty, the curriculum is strongly based in the Scope and Standards of Practice for Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing (APNA, ANA, & ISPN, 2014), Last, NGNs benefit from reflection on an action either during or soon after engaging in an experience as a means to reframe the experience (Mangone, King, Croft, & Church, 2005). As a result, the NRP curriculum includes the reflective practice theoretical frameworks developed by Schön (1983) and Johns (2009) as a means to promote critical inquiry for the NGN. The NRP provides social support for new graduates and enhances the employees’ knowledge and skills (K&S), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), civil- ity (CIV), coping self-efficacy (CSE), organizational commitment (OrgComm), person–organizational fit 807968JAP XX X 10.1177/1078390318807968Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses AssociationPelletier et al. research-article 2018 1 Luc R. Pelletier, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, San Diego, CA; University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA 2 Chandra Vincent, MSN, RN, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA 3 Loralie Woods, MSN, RN-BC, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA 4 Cheryl Odell, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA 5 Jaynelle F. Stichler, DNS, RN, NEA-BC(R), FACHE, FAAN, Sharp HealthCare Center of Nursing Excellence, San Diego, CA, USA Corresponding Author: Luc R. Pelletier, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, 7850 Vista Hill Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. Email: luc.pelletier@sharp.com Effectiveness of a Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Residency Program on Retention Luc R. Pelletier 1 , Chandra Vincent 2 , Loralie Woods 3 , Cheryl Odell 4 , and Jaynelle F. Stichler 5 Abstract BACKGROUND: Nurse residency programs (NRPs) provide new graduate nurses (NGNs) with social support and experiential activities as a formal transition to clinical practice. AIMS: The study was conducted to answer the question: What is the effectiveness of an NRP in retaining NGNs in a psychiatric–mental health setting? METHOD: This study used a quantitative time-sequenced comparative study of multiple cohorts of NGNs hired into an NRP at a freestanding hospital in California. RESULTS: The study yielded a turnover rate of 11.7% in Year 1 (88.3% retention) and 2.9% in Year 2 (97.1% retention rate), which are lower than reported turnover rates (17.5% and 33.5%, respectively). Significant correlations are described in the workplace domains of knowledge and skills, social support, organizational citizenship behavior, civility, coping self-efficacy, organizational and occupational commitment, person–organizational fit, and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: NRPs are effective in attracting and retaining competent, confident NGNs in psychiatric–mental health nursing. Keywords inpatient psychiatry, administration and management, program evaluation, professional issues, psychiatric nursing practice