Becker’s Recognition Highlights How GRH Is Growing Nurses, Strengthening Skills, and Investing in Rural Care
Contact: Karrine Brogoitti
At Grande Ronde Hospital & Clinics, preparing the next generation of nurses is about more than orientation. It is about building confidence, strengthening clinical judgment, and creating meaningful support during one of the most important transitions in a nurse’s career.
That work is now receiving national recognition.
GRH has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of its “Simulation and Education Programs to Know” for 2026, a distinction that highlights hospitals and health systems with exceptional programs designed to strengthen the workforce through education and simulation training. Becker’s says the recognized organizations are helping clinicians and trainees strengthen skills in realistic learning environments that support safety, outcomes, and workforce development.
For GRH, the recognition reflects a long-term commitment to growing and supporting nurses in a rural setting.
Grande Ronde Hospital established its Nurse Residency Program in 2017 to attract, train, and retain nurses. Since adding a dedicated Nurse Residency Educator position in 2019, the program has graduated 28 new nurses as of July 2024. The current cohort, expected to complete the program in July 2026, includes five new nurses.
The program is designed to help newly licensed nurses transition into practice with structure, support, and hands-on learning. Residents participate in classroom instruction, provider and peer presentations, case studies, simulation experiences, and skill teach-back with peers. As part of the 12-month program, they also work together on an evidence-based project that challenges them to assess an organizational need, conduct a SWOT analysis, present their recommendations, and work toward implementation.
That combination of education, collaboration, and real-world application is especially important in rural healthcare, where nurses often play a vital role across a wide range of patient needs.
The program is also focused on something equally important: helping new nurses stay and thrive. By working to reduce burnout, build resiliency, and promote evidence-based practice throughout the organization, the program supports both professional growth and long-term retention.
“Rural healthcare presents challenges that many urban-centered facilities never face, especially when it comes to educating and preparing the next generation of nurses,” said Nikkita Titus, MSN, RN, Nurse Residency Coordinator. “Creating a safe and supportive environment where new nurses can connect, collaborate, and grow is what fuels my passion for this work. It is in these spaces that confident, skilled, and community-minded nurses are shaped, professionals driven by purpose and deeply committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and compassionate care.
“Being recognized as a Simulation and Education Program to Know by Becker’s Healthcare is both an honor and a privilege. While our program may be small, our commitment to excellence is unwavering. The outcomes we produce reflect not only the strength of our program, but also our dedication to the community we proudly serve.”
“At Grande Ronde Hospital, we are committed to providing our clinical staff and nurse residents with a variety of training methods, from high- and low-fidelity simulation to virtual reality, classroom learning, hands-on skills practice, and game-based learning,” said Bre Rollins, MSN, RN, CEN, Clinical Nurse Educator / GRH Training Center Coordinator. “The more we practice, the more we build muscle memory and deepen our understanding of the evidence behind today’s standards of care. This kind of training allows our nurses to safely prepare for high-risk, low-volume events and build the confidence they need to respond effectively when real clinical situations arise, always with patient safety at the center.”
GRH’s work in education and training is also strengthened by its close relationship with the OHSU School of Nursing, which helps create valuable learning opportunities and a stronger pipeline for future rural healthcare professionals.
For those considering where to begin their nursing career, GRH hopes this recognition shines a light on what is possible here. The organization’s Nurse Residency Program combines structured onboarding, mentorship, simulation, classroom learning, and a strong team-centered culture, all in a community where nurses can make a meaningful difference close to home.
To learn more about Nurse Residency opportunities at Grande Ronde Hospital & Clinics, visit grh.org/careers/nurse-residency-opportunities.