Growing Great Nurses: Using State Grants to Build a Stronger Rural Healthcare Team

When Tiffany Solberg, Director of Nursing and Professional Development at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center (CVRMC), talks about her job, she isn’t just describing a role — she’s describing a mission. A mission to prepare, support, and inspire the next generation of nurses while ensuring the hospital’s patients receive exceptional care close to home.

Thanks to two state-funded initiatives — the Student Nurse/New Graduate Clinical Placements & Preceptor Training Pilot Grant Program (ARS 36-1803) and the Transition to Practice Program (ARS 36-1804) — that mission is gaining new momentum.

The 1804 Transition to Practice Program: Closing the Rural Gap

In larger hospitals, structured new graduate programs have been the standard for years. But rural facilities like CVRMC often lacked the resources to provide the same level of support. That changed with the 1804 Grant, which funds a 12-month Transition to Practice Program for every new nursing graduate at the hospital.

This comprehensive program includes:

Didactic coursework – online modules that cover core skills and professional development.
Monthly live virtual meetings – statewide networking and collaboration with instructors and other new grads

Specialty-specific training – focused education in areas such as ICU, ER, OB, or Critical Access.

“The difference is night and day,” Tiffany explains. “Graduates who complete this program are more confident, communicate more effectively, and transition into their roles much more smoothly.”

The 1803 Grant: Strengthening Preceptor Development

A successful new nurse doesn’t learn in isolation — they learn from experienced colleagues. That’s where preceptors come in.

The 1803 Grant supports CVRMC’s Preceptor Academy, which gives nurse mentors the tools to teach effectively, including:

Strategies for guiding independent practice
Tips for handling difficult conversations
Methods to build confidence in new hires

Preceptors receive stipends for their commitment, recognizing that mentoring is both a professional skill and a time investment. “Preceptors are often chosen for their clinical expertise,” Tiffany says, “but teaching is its own art. We’re giving them the training to do both well.”

Beyond the Classroom: Rural Nursing in Action

Nurses at CVRMC work in an environment that demands versatility. On any given day, they might serve as a:

Code nurse
Rapid responder
Line nurse
Bedside ultrasound operator

To prepare for these wide-ranging responsibilities, nurses complete robust orientation programs — sometimes spending 4–6 weeks at urban partner hospitals like Dignity Health or Banner to gain exposure to high-acuity care before returning to their rural setting.

Simulation and Emergency Preparedness

Low-frequency, high-acuity situations — such as emergency C-sections at night or multi-patient trauma — are practiced through realistic simulations. The goal is to make the right response second nature, even under extreme pressure.

Tools, Resources, and a Culture of Learning

CVRMC has invested in tools like the Relias Learning Management System and Lippincott Procedures to ensure nurses have 24/7 access to step-by-step guides, courses, and certifications. The hospital also offers $2,000 per semester in tuition assistance, encouraging every staff member to keep learning — even if their studies take them outside of healthcare.

“Our CEO often reminds us that if it helps you grow, we’ll find a way to support it,” Tiffany says with a smile. “We believe that investing in learning makes us all better at what we do.”

Homegrown Talent, Lasting Impact

Approximately 90–95% of CVRMC’s nurses are from the local community — born, educated, and now caring for their neighbors and family members. For Tiffany, this personal connection is the heart of the job. “When I onboard new staff, I tell them, ‘You are literally taking care of my family members.’ That’s why our standards are so high.”

A Model for Rural Nursing Development

By combining the structure and funding of the 1803 and 1804 grants with CVRMC’s culture of support, Tiffany and her team are proving that rural hospitals can match — and even exceed — the quality of nurse training found in larger systems.

And as CVRMC continues to grow its services — from dialysis and radiation oncology to upcoming neurosurgery — the nurses trained under these programs will be ready to meet the challenge.

“Every specialty we add means more training, more opportunities, and more reasons for patients to get great care without leaving home,” Tiffany says. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Want to learn more about how CVRMC is helping new nurses thrive and ensuring our patients receive the best care possible?
Visit us on Facebook (Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center) or Instagram (cobre_valley_) to see how we’re growing, serving, and delivering exceptional care—right here at home.