Centra Earns Accredited Nurse Residency Program® Status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center

LYNCHBURG, V.A., July 14, 2025 – Centra has earned the Practice Transition Accreditation Program ® (PTAP) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This achievement makes Centra the fifth hospital in Virginia to receive this special recognition, a milestone that sets a high standard for nursing residency programs, supporting registered nurses (RNs) and Licensed Professional Nurses (LPNs) as they transition into Centra’s organization.

Centra’s nurse residency program spans 12 months and is designed for new graduate nurses with less than six months of experience. The program aims to offer new nurses a comprehensive transition-to-practice curriculum, giving LPN and RN new graduates tools to manage stress, develop decision-making skills and critical thinking on the job, facilitate patient safety and more, all within a supportive and structured environment.

“I am so proud that Centra has received PTAP accreditation, a program that uses evidence-based criteria to create a framework to transition new graduate nurses into professional roles,” said Mary Ann Fuchs, Centra's senior vice president and chief nursing executive. “This was a rigorous process that required meeting several criteria and outcomes that demonstrate nurses’ confidence and competence to deliver high-quality, safe care to our patients.”

National data continues to show a strong correlation between PTAP-accredited programs and improved nurse retention beyond 12 months, emphasizing the long-term value of this workforce initiative. According to the National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report, in 2024, Centra’s nurse residency retention rate reached 88%, surpassing the national average of 76.2%.

“Since we launched our nurse residency programs here at Centra, we’ve seen a wonderful increase in the first-year retention of our new RN graduates, surpassing the national average, said Lisa Jamerson, Centra’s director of transition to practice. “We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing to support our nurses on their professional journey.”

After completing the residency program, support continues through Centra’s career ladders, certification assistance, and continuing education opportunities, including tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees or specialty certifications.

“Mentorship doesn’t end with the residency,” Jamerson said. “Nurses are encouraged to stay connected with their mentors and continue receiving guidance as they advance in their careers.

” Based on a report from the ANCC covering data through September 2024, there were only four PTAP-accredited nurse residency programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and now Centra is proud to be among them, joining a distinguished group recognized for excellence in nurse transition-to-practice.

The PTAP accreditation not only improves Centra’s ability to attract and keep outstanding nursing talent, it also strengthens Centra’s wider reputation for nursing excellence, aligned with other accreditations like Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® designations—positioning it as a top institution where nurses are supported, empowered, and able to thrive throughou