HOUSTON, TX (Feb. 3, 2026) – St. Luke’s Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health, is proud to announce that its Nurse Residency Programs across Houston have been awarded Accreditation with Distinction, the highest recognition granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
This prestigious accreditation, effective December 15, 2025, through January 31, 2030, signifies the program’s exceptional commitment to supporting new graduate nurses in their transition to professional practice.
The ANCC Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs, a leading authority in credentialing nursing programs, reviewed the CommonSpirit Health Nurse Residency Program and recognized its consistent delivery of high-quality, evidence-based training and mentorship.
Achieving Accreditation with Distinction underscores the program's dedication to fostering competent, confident, and compassionate nurses who are prepared to meet the complex demands of contemporary healthcare.
"This accreditation is a testament to the incredible dedication of our nursing leadership, educators, mentors and all who contribute to the success of our new graduate nurses," said Ruth Owusu, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for the Houston Market. "It reflects our deep-seated belief in nurturing the next generation of nursing talent and our commitment to developing a highly skilled and compassionate workforce.”
The accredited RN Residency program provides a structured and supportive environment for new graduate nurses to develop their clinical skills, critical thinking, and professional identity. It is designed to bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world practice, enhancing job satisfaction and retention among new nurses. Our year-long Nurse Residency Programs offer a comprehensive onboarding and clinical integration experience for recent nurse graduates and is designed to cultivate confident, competent and committed nurses who will thrive in our ministry.
This reaccreditation and new accreditations encompass a wide range of facilities across Houston:
Reaccreditation
New Accreditation
The program supports residents across diverse clinical settings, including Medical, Surgical, Medical-Surgical, Oncology, Step Down, Critical Care, Rehabilitation, and Emergency Department units.
CommonSpirit Health is committed to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for nurses at every stage of their career, and this accreditation reinforces our ongoing dedication to developing exceptional healthcare professionals.
About St. Luke’s Health
St. Luke’s Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health, is home to eight inpatient hospitals in Greater Houston, including Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, a joint venture research and teaching hospital for Baylor College of Medicine. The renowned expertise offered at St. Luke’s has given rise to breakthroughs in cardiovascular care, neurosciences, oncology, transplantation, and more. Home to the nationally-accredited and NCI-designated Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Luke’s includes more than 1,400 licensed beds and 11,000 employees and clinically aligned providers in Greater Houston. Learn more at commonspirit.org/stlukes.
About the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The mission of the ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, is to promote excellence in nursing and healthcare globally through credentialing programs. ANCC’s internationally recognized credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations that promote nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes; and accredit healthcare organizations that provide and approve continuing nursing education. For more information, visit nursingworld.org/ancc.
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