JACKSONVILLE, NC - On November 20, 2025, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune's new Nurse Residency Program graduated its first cohort of nurses. The six-month program expounds upon the Nurse Internship Program, which was originally 6-weeks. The expansion of the program was accomplished through the partnership of Lieutenant Commander Larry Gunter, program chair, Lieutenant Commander Priscilla Boateng, program co-chair, and collaborators Registered Nurse Kelly Horne and Registered Nurse Kylee Cisneros. The Nurse Residency Program was designed to help nurses who are new to the Navy become more familiar with Navy Medicine, providing more professional development and exposing them to clinical scenarios they may encounter as new nurses.

The 10 graduates were presented their certificates of completion by Captain Martin Braud, Expeditionary Medical Facility Kilo commanding officer, and Commander Reggie Middlebrooks, director of nursing for NMCCL. As part of their capstone experience, the graduating nurses presented evidence-based practice projects showcasing skills learned in translating research and scientific literature into clinical practice. Each project addressed a relevant opportunity for improvement and offered meaningful, evidence-based recommendations to enhance care delivery and the work environment here at Camp Lejeune. The success of this first cohort highlights the value of the Transition-to-Practice Nurse Residency Program in developing confident, evidence-informed Navy nurses who are ready to care for our patients and support our mission.