
Elizabeth Halligan, RN
Transition To Specialty Programs
To address the nursing shortage, especially in specialty areas, El Camino Health has supported workforce development with transition programs that support the professional development of our nurses. The transition programs provide additional support and training above and beyond a standard orientation. The programs help retain nurses who are looking for professional development opportunities and allows for progression in their nursing career.
- Transition Programs in 2020
- Mother Baby Unit
- Critical Care Unit
- Transition Programs in 2021
- Cardiac/Stroke Telemetry
- Critical Care Unit
- Emergency Department
- Operating Room
- Labor & Delivery
“I started at El Camino Health as a new grad, and I've been able to grow and progress through the various programs. It means so much to have opportunities to advance my career in house, because over the years this hospital has become home and I plan to stay here.”— Han O, RN
Nurse Residency Program
Since 2016, El Camino Health's Nurse Residency Program has supported new graduates across the San Francisco Bay Area as they transition from student to professional nurse. The program provides opportunities for residents to work in various nursing specialties including:
- Medical
- Surgical
- Telemetry
- Oncology
- Labor and Delivery
- Emergency


Jackie Keane, RN
Beth Willy, RN
Heather Roorda, RN
Leilanie Apana, RN
In 2021, the Nurse Residency Program received its second accreditation as a Practice Transition Program with Distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Increasing Certification
El Camino's Health's Professional Development Council (PDC) administered a Nursing Needs Assessment that indicated nurses were interested in gaining additional certifications and would like help with getting review courses. In response, the PDC hosted certification courses for the following areas:
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing
- Medical Surgical Nursing Certification
- Progressive Care Nursing Certification
The courses were offered via Zoom as live webinars. By registering for these free courses, the RN attests that they will take the certification exam when qualified. So far, 25% of our attendees for these courses obtained their certifications. The remaining participants are completing their clinical hours for qualification and studying for the exam.

Ralph Trenoff, RN

Hannah Tra, RN
Certifications and Degress for 2020/2021

30 Years Continuous CCRN Certification
Liz Lawson, MSN, RN, CCRN, works in Interventional Radiology. She is also a nursing instructor and has been CCRN Certified for 30 consecutive years. Her passion for lifelong learning is an inspiration to her colleagues, many of whom are her former nursing students.