Ozarks Healthcare Welcomes Newest Nurse Residents, Strengthens Local Education and Career Pathways

Ozarks Healthcare is proud to welcome its newest nurse residents who joined the health system in January and June of this year. These newly graduated registered nurses (RNs) are taking part in Ozarks Healthcare’s Nurse Residency Program, an intensive eight-week training program designed to provide essential skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience for success in nursing careers.

During the program, nurse residents rotate through approximately 28-30 different areas within the health system, immersing themselves in Ozarks Healthcare’s values, professionalism, and patient-centered culture. This structure ensures graduates are prepared to deliver exceptional care with confidence and compassion.

Several of the newest nurse residents are also alumni of Ozarks Healthcare’s Inside Track Career Pathways Program, which provides students with firsthand exposure to healthcare careers while pursuing their education. Many of this year’s nurse residents attended Missouri State University–West Plains (MSU-WP), a key partner in developing a strong local healthcare workforce. Ozarks Healthcare’s collaboration with MSU-WP continues to open doors for students to transition directly from classroom learning into hands-on patient care roles within the community.

“We are honored to celebrate the commitment and enthusiasm of our newest nurse residents,” Katie Johnson, Ozarks Healthcare Nurse Residency Coordinator, said. “Their dedication to learning and their passion for providing quality care align perfectly with our mission. We are especially proud to see the impact of our partnerships with programs like Inside Track and MSU–West Plains, which help prepare and inspire future nurses right here at home.”

2025 Nurse Residents at Ozarks Healthcare:

Abbigail Huskey

Anna Shearon

Ashley Smith

Austin Row

Colten Pierce

Dakota Tucker

Felicia Julian

Hannah Flowers

Holly Phillips

Lexie Davis

Megan Thompson

Parker Sherry

Sheila Tiger

Sheremy Anderson

Sarah Davis

Tyler Figley

Kodi Shockey

Stephanie Williams

Kendra York

Gracie Rothermich

Morgan Phipps

Megan Thompson

Nurses from Ozarks Healthcare’s most recent cohorts have accepted positions in departments across the health system, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department (ED), Medical/Surgical (Med/Surg) Department, Hospice, and At Home.

The Nurse Residency Program at Ozarks Healthcare begins in January and June each year. To be eligible, applicants must have completed an LPN or RN program within six months and have current LPN and/or RN licensure, preferred or scheduled, with successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) within 90 days.

For more information on how to apply for the next Nurse Residency Program, visit ozarkshealthcare.com/careers/nurse-residency-program or call 417-293-8648. Applications for the January 2026 Nurse Residency Cohort are currently open.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

Ozarks Healthcare’s first cohort of nurse residents for 2025

Ozarks Healthcare’s second cohort of nurse residents for 2025