Congratulations on completing nursing school! Now it’s time to get
you day-one ready for your career.
You’re a new nursing school graduate and you’ve learned so
much, but taking your talents to the real world is a big step. You want
to feel completely comfortable there. Many grads opt to complete a program
like our LCMC Health Nurse Residency Program—we created it to help
new nurses like you make the leap from student to seasoned professional.
The LCMC Health Academy for Novice to Experience Registered Nurses (LANTERN)
program is designed as a component of the new graduate nursing orientation
program at all LCMC Health facilities. While enrolled in our program,
you’ll experience a cross section of the clinical, leadership, professional
and self-development, and socialization elements so necessary to excel
in your profession. Our 12 monthly seminars provide you with the opportunity
to develop, grow, and transition from recent graduate to advanced beginner
nurse, aligning you for great success as an LCMC Health nurse. In March
2026, the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program achieved accreditation through
the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Practice Transition Accreditation
Program (PTAP).
New graduates will start their careers in our supportive Nurse Residency
Program environment, where we’ll coach you, helping you build confidence
through a structured transition that leads directly to practical experience.
You’ll develop leadership, critical thinking, and research skills
in a positive setting that promotes success in your practice and patient
outcomes, as well as positioning you to develop beneficial professional
and peer relationships.
Our nurse residents’ individual objectives are to:
- Transition to advanced beginner professional nurse
- Develop critical thinking skills related to clinical judgment and performance
- Provide clinical nursing leadership at the point of care
- Strengthen commitment to your nursing profession
- Formulate an individual development plan
- Incorporate research-based evidence linked to real outcomes in practice
What exactly is a nurse resident expected to do?
- Fulfill the duties of a full- or part-time staff nurse at one of our LCMC
Health facilities
- Attend all 12 sessions (100%) of the residency seminars and learning activities
- Submit a Nurse Resident Professional Portfolio.
- Actively participate in and present an Evidence-Based Project
- Complete necessary surveys
What are the requirements to be in the Nurse Resident Program?
- Employed with LCMC Health as a nurse.
- Our Nurse Residency Program is available to those with current/valid unrestricted
RN licensure in the state of Louisiana.
- Nurse residents must have graduated from an accredited undergraduate program
within 1 (one) year of their residency start date.
- Nurse residents must have passed their NCLEX exam prior to the beginning
of the program
- Nurse residents must have less than one year of experience as a nurse
- Additionally, any nurse applicant resident who was unsuccessful in their
first attempt to pass the NCLEX exam is eligible to enter a later residency class
For more information, contact our LCMC Health nurse resident coordinator,
Gina Matherne at
Gina.Naquin@LCMChealth.org or
504.702.5564 .
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How long is the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program?
Our Nurse Residency Program is made up of a series of learning sessions
and related experiences that occur over a 12-month period.
How do I apply for the program?
During the application process, new graduate new hires will automatically
be placed into the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program if enrollment criteria
is met. There is a stay agreement as part of the paperwork during the
Human Resources process.
Is there a “contract”?
There is not a “contract” but there is a stay agreement as
part of the paperwork during the Human Resources process. The stay agreement
consists of:
Each nurse resident selected for the program will be expected to:
- Agree to hired hours for a total minimum of two years from hire date within
the LCMC Health system. As nurse residents all transfer policies remain
in place and applicable.
- Take initiative to schedule off from assigned unit to attend all required
learning experiences.
- Fulfill all the professional obligations of a first-year member of the
professional nursing staff on the clinical service area.
- Adhere to all institutional policies/guidelines as a member of the professional
nursing staff.
- Develop and utilize mentor relationships to support professional nursing staff.
- Communicating regularly with the Unit Leadership, Managers, Directors,
Nurse Residency Coordinators, Nurse Residency Facilitators, Preceptors
and Educators
- Utilize available support resources
- Criteria for successful completion of the program include the following:
- Attend and participate in all scheduled nurse seminars for the duration
of the program
- Professional Portfolio and all required surveys completed.
- Unit Based / Hospital based Committee membership (if applicable at your
home facility)
- Complete all required assessment tools (surveys) at the beginning, middle,
and end of the program
- Complete an approved evidence-based abstract & project on my own or
with a team
Am I considered an employee during my enrollment in the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program?
Yes, our program is designed to support our new graduate nurse employees
as they transition from student to professional nurse.
Is the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program part of orientation?
Our program is designed to augment your nursing orientation. Orientation
to the role and job duties will be part of your onboarding process to
your facility and unit. The LANTERN program is a transition program as
new graduates transition to new nurses. To provide support developmental
skills and opportunities to the newly graduated nurse.
What is the difference between the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program and
orientation?
Orientation will provide new hires with an opportunity to learn about the
facility and units. They will review and evaluate all new hires on the
skills and competencies necessary to provide the services an individual
was hire to perform.
The LANTERN Program is specifically designed for new graduate nurses only,
and specifically looks at topics and ideas targeted with this population.
The transition from student to professional can be difficult. Providing
a supportive environment and opportunities to learn and utilize techniques
to develop as a professional is one of the goals.
How often is the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program offered?
Our LANTERN Program starts twice a year: The Fall cohort begins in October
and the Spring cohort begins in April. This format gives our new graduate
nurses the opportunity to “get their feet wet” on their units
and experience partial—if not full—orientation periods before
they jump into the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program.
Who is eligible for the LANTERN Nurse Residency Program?
- Our Nurse Residency Program is available to those with valid RN licensure
in the state of Louisiana employed with an LCMC Health facility.
- You must have graduated from an accredited undergraduate program within
1 (one) year of the NRP start date
- You must have passed the NCLEX exam prior to the beginning of the program
- You must have less than one year of experience as a nurse
- Any nurse applicant resident who was unsuccessful in their first attempt
to pass the NCLEX exam is eligible to enter a later residency class
If I have nursing experience either as an RN or LPN, will I be able to
participate in this program?
If there is previous RN experience only, Nurse Residency is not required.
Previous LPN experience for new registered nurses does not exempt participation
and enrollment.
Am I eligible for benefits?
As an employee of LCMC Health, benefits are available and equal to those
in similar job roles.
Can I take vacation time?
As an employee of LCMC Health, paid time off is accrued and available based
on availability to those in similar job roles. Monthly seminars are required
and expected to be in attendance. Monthly seminars are considered work
days. If seminars are missed make up information is available in the LANTERN
program handbook.
How many hours will I work? What shifts will I work?
As an LCMC Health employee, you will be expected to the shift and hours
expected of your unit. The seminar days are considered paid education
days and calculated into your worked hours.
What if I don’t pass the NCLEX exam?
A valid/current unrestricted nursing license is necessary to enroll. If
necessary, enrollment may be postponed until the new hire has passed and
hired as a registered nurse. If you don’t pass the NCLEX exam, you
can try again and apply for our next class session.
Do I have to participate in this program?
All new graduate new hire nurses, meeting the requirements are enrolled
and expected to participate in the LANTERN program.
Can I attend school while I’m participating in the program?
Yes, an employee can attend school while participating in the LANTERN Program,
however please review all requirements before. Starting a new career at
a new facility and returning to school may be difficult.
