MMC Nurse Residency Program Earns Prestigious Reaccreditation

LAS CRUCES, NM (May 21, 2025) – Memorial Medical Center is very proud to announce that its LaunchPoint Nurse Residency Program has earned prestigious reaccreditation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP).

This recognition reflects the hospital team’s commitment to excellence in nursing education, mentorship and patient-centered care. PTAP accreditation is considered the gold standard for transition-to-practice programs. The renowned distinction signifies that Memorial’s nurse residency program meets prescriptive national standards and demonstrates excellence in advancing nursing competence, confidence, and professional development.

First earning program accreditation in April 2021, Memorial Medical Center remains the only facility with a PTAP-accredited nurse residency program in Southern New Mexico and the greater Borderland. MMC is also one of only 297 programs across the globe with this accreditation.

“By achieving PTAP reaccreditation, we underscore our commitment to supporting the next generation of nurses and ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver exceptional patient care for our community,” said Dr. Yolanda A. Coleman, PhD, MS, RN, MT (ASCP), FACHE, NEA-BC, FAAN, Interim Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial. “Tremendous credit goes to our nurse educators, nursing leaders and program preceptors for achieving this distinction.”

MMC’s goal is to support new nurses who are transitioning to professional practice over a 12-month period through a structured and evidence-based platform. This program provides a supporting and caring environment that allows new nurses to grow into their role as professional caregivers.

In the last three years, more than 50 nurse residents at MMC have transitioned from nursing school to being independent at the bedside in units including the ICU, Emergency Department, Telemetry, Medical-Surgical, Observation Unit, and Orthopedics and Oncology.