Sanford Health Receives Full Reaccreditation for Nurse Residency Program

Sanford Health’s Nurse Residency Program was recently awarded a Full Accreditation with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program. Sanford Health was first awarded this honor in 2021 and received a re-accreditation in 2025.

Sanford Health’s program is among an elite group of only 297 accredited programs throughout the world to attain this significant achievement. It is the first and only program in North Dakota to receive accreditation with distinction, one of two in South Dakota and is also included in a small number of organizations in Minnesota with this level of recognition.

Sanford’s Nurse Residency Program is an evidence-based program designed to provide personal and professional support to new to practice nurses. Through this partnership, nurse residents will develop professional relationships and resources needed to thrive in their new positions and successfully transition from student nurse to professional registered nurse.

“We’re proud of this recognition, but even more proud of what it means for our nurses,” said Erica DeBoer, Sanford Health chief nursing officer. “Achieving reaccreditation shows we’re serious about supporting nurses from the start—and committed to doing it well over time. It’s part of what makes Sanford Health a place where nurses want to grow their careers.”

Qualifying nurses with less than 12 months of experience who accept a position as a registered nurse in a participating facility are automatically enrolled in the program.