Advice on residency programs needed.

[swansonplace]

I am a new grad, and am interested in a nursing residency program. Can you tell me about your experience with the residency programs? What did you like? What did you not like? Did it help you and how?

[MSNrunner]

I was just hired in August into a new grad residency program. I had two weeks of classroom orientation and will meet with the same group of new grads every 1-2 months for the first 15 months of my new job. Although I just started this program, I am really glad that I am part of the program. I think it will really help me get through this first year+ of being a new nurse. It is also nice to talk to other new grads about how our orientation is going. The only thing I am not really looking forward to is an evidence based practice project we are required to complete by the end of the program, which may be hard to find time to complete with an already busy schedule. Hope this helps :)

[swansonplace]

Thanks. How did you find out about it? For me, I really would like a nurse residency program.

[MSNrunner]

I just researched the hospitals close to where I live and looked on their websites to see if they offered a new grad residency program.

[swansonplace]

If I can't find a residency program, I may be able to find a med surg certification. Would this be kinda like the same thing? As it is a self study, and we have clinicals where the prof meets and helps us out.