WEST PLAINS, MO – Ozarks Healthcare recently celebrated the achievements of its newest nurses during a Nurse Residency Program pinning ceremony, recognizing 29 residents who successfully completed the program.
The group included 20 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and nine Registered Nurses (RNs) who represent several regional schools, including Missouri State University–West Plains, Southern Missouri Technical Institute (SOMO), Ozarka College, and Texas County Technical College.
“We are proud to welcome these talented nurses as they begin their careers at Ozarks Healthcare,” Terence Farrell, Ozarks Healthcare President and CEO, said. “Our Nurse Residency Program is designed to support new nurses as they grow in skill and confidence while providing compassionate, high-quality care to the communities we serve across our region. Their dedication and commitment to patients are truly inspiring.”
The Nurse Residency Program helps new nurses transition from the classroom to patient care by providing additional training, mentorship, and hands-on experience within Ozarks Healthcare’s robust healthcare system.
“Our nurse residents bring energy, compassion, and a strong desire to learn,” Christen Weaver, Ozarks Healthcare Chief Nursing Officer, said. “This program gives them the support and guidance they need as they move from education into real-world patient care, helping them build the confidence and clinical skills needed to serve our patients and communities.”
Residents recognized during the ceremony included: Addison Shockley, Andrea Sisco, Demi Michler, Dugan Kelly, Emma Collins, Garland Rost, Hadley Ball, Hannah Jones, Haley Bahas, Jessica Goss, Julia Hughes, Julie Watson, Kaala Boyd, Katie Bayless, Kelly Cotter, Kinzey Stark, Laken Zimmer, Logan Gleason, Logan Palmer, Lori VanAlst, Makenzie Rost, Melissa McAffee, Meorgia Osborn, Morgan Henny, Nikita Calvo, Sara Johnson, Stephanie Hunsperger, Tiffany Finney, and Zoey Holmes Fox.
Several residents were also honored with special awards for excellence during the program:
Quality Award: Tiffany Finney
Community Award: Meorgia Osborn
Growth Award: Morgan Henny
People Award: Logan Palmer
Service Award: Garland Rost
Outstanding Resident: Tiffany Finney
The Nurse Residency Program at Ozarks Healthcare begins each January and June. To be eligible, applicants must have completed an LPN or RN program within the previous six months and hold current LPN and/or RN licensure, preferred or scheduled, with successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) within 90 days.
For more information about applying for the next Nurse Residency Program, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com/careers or call 417-293-8648.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional pinning, symbolizing each nurse’s commitment to compassionate, high-quality care for the communities served by Ozarks Healthcare.
