The Arizona Transition to Practice Program for New to Specialty Nurses.
A learning opportunity at ANA Hill Day.
Senate passes OBBB - now it heads to the House
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
The House must pass an identical version of the bill in order for it to be signed into law.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the House had begun consideration of the bill.
The final version of the bill passed by the Senate would reduce the provider tax hold harmless threshold from 6% to 3.5% over a period of years beginning in FFY 2028 (which starts on Oct. 1, 2027).
It also includes a rural hospital funding pool in the amount of $50 billion over five years.
At best, Arizona will receive $200 million for five years, totaling $1 billion for the life of the fund. These dollars will not fill the hole left by reducing our state’s directed payment program by $6 billion.
The Senate bill would reduce healthcare spending by about $1.1 trillion over 10 years, mostly from the Medicaid program.
GOP moderates are concerned about the impacts of the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate bill, and some Representatives are concerned about their districts being able to access funds from the $50 billion rural hospital pool.
On the other hand, GOP budget hawks are concerned about the larger tax cuts and additional deficit impact of the Senate bill.
What’s next: The GOP still hopes to pass the OBBB and have it signed into law by President Trump by July 4.
The program provides comprehensive education for nurses new to specialty, continuing education hours, mentorship and a smooth transition into a new professional practice setting.
Why it matters: With these valuable benefits, the Arizona Transition to Practice Program is designed to foster excellence in nursing care and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
The big picture: With this program, we aspire to create an environment where our nurses can transition seamlessly into new practice areas, gaining the confidence and competence they need to provide the best possible care to our communities.
Any Arizona healthcare facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services that hires registered nurses may apply.
Specialty offerings are available in a variety of areas including emergency department, intensive care unit/critical care, progressive care unit, medical-surgical nursing, obstetrics and operating room.
Last week, members of the AzHHA Care Improvement team and representatives from the Arizona Transition to Practice Program for New Graduate Registered Nurses had the opportunity to attend the American Nurses Association (ANA) Hill Day 2025.
Participating in this opportunity (and pictured above, left to right):
Rhonda Anderson, DNSc(h), MPA, BS, FAAN, LFACHE, FACHT, AzHHA Board Member and Arizona Transition to Practice Program Advisory Board Member
Karen Ofafa, EdD, MPH, BSN, RN, director, Transition to Practice Program at AzHHA
Amber Owens, MSN-ED, RN, Arizona Transition to Practice Program site champion at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center
Larisa Solo, BSN, RN, manager, Transition to Practice Program at AzHHA
Kristin Grimes, MSN, RN, CIC, Arizona Transition to Practice Program site champion at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center
Vicki Buchda, MS, RN, NEA-BC, SVP of Care Improvement at AzHHA
Why it matters: This event provided the group with a unique learning experience to gain further understanding of how the ANA, their overarching professional organization, amplifies the voice of nursing.
The big picture: This educational opportunity was made possible through the Arizona Transition to Practice Program and is supported by funding from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.
Tips for searching for healthcare talent in a competitive market
AzHHA’s affiliated partner, Duffy Group, was recently featured in the Phoenix Business Journal with an article that highlights the ongoing shortage of healthcare workers in Arizona and correspondingly emphasizes the need for creative recruitment strategies beyond traditional methods.
Why it matters: It shares examples, such as relocation reimbursements, test-drive contracts and retention bonuses to attract and retain talent while leveraging organizational culture and growth opportunities.
The Sepsis Alliance is offering a free, online, self-paced educational program designed for all healthcare professionals across the care continuum.
The program offers foundational training on sepsis, including risk factors, early recognition and timely treatment - all critical to improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters: Sepsis remains the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals.
Rapid recognition and response are critical to improving sepsis survival rates.
Why it matters: This prestigious national award recognizes the EVS team’s outstanding contributions to patient safety, sustainability and operational excellence.
Led by Veronica Gutierrez, the EVS team at Onvida Health stood out among hospitals nationwide (250-499 beds) for their innovation, leadership and measurable impact.
From standardizing cleaning protocols that reduce wait times to improving patient satisfaction, their work is setting a new standard in healthcare support services.
Congratulations, Onvida Health on this tremendous achievement!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 7-12 - National Tribal Health Conference This is a week-long event that serves American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in the space of health - behavioral and public health. The conference will showcase the interconnectedness of policy, advocacy and Indian health best practices. Register now.
Save the date: 2025 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference Mark your calendar and plan to engage with healthcare leaders during the AzHHA Foundation’s 2025 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference. This year’s conference is Oct. 29-31, 2025, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz. Stay tuned for more information!
