RN residency for new Grads...who can tell me about this?

Katnip, RN · Feb 4, 2006

A lot of hospitals offer internships to new grads in specialty areas. You sign up for X number of years and they train you to a specialty.

Internships are usually fulltime. Depending on the hospital and the type of unit you're on it could last from 3 months to 6 years from what I've seen in our area. One hospital I worked in offered all didactic work for 3 months, then preceptorship for another 5 months. Last one I had offered didactic only one day a week and preceptorship on the unit for 3 months.

All internships require written testing during your classwork.

RNratched · Feb 5, 2006

Thanks for the reply. What does the classwork consist of? I will be doing a preceptorship in my last quarter at my college before graduation, but is has nothing to do with getting an actual job. I did find a RN residency position posted in Cape Fear, NC. I thought I could contact the recruiter for details.

What is your area of nursing? I would eventually like to specialize in psych nursing. Specifically I hope to work inpatient detox. I have always had a fondness for psych and still hope to take my career in that direction. I would like to work with adolescent and adult populations.

Well, if you think of anything else...I will be around. Thanks again!

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 5, 2006

As you are looking for a good new grad program, be careful about the words that different hospitals use. Different hospitals use different words to describe the same type of program. Also, different hospitals will use the same word to describe different types of programs.

For example, some hospitals will use the word "residency" to describe an in-depth new grad orientation program. Other hospitals will use the word "intership" to describe the same type of program. Still other hospitals will have equally good new grad orientation programs, but will simply call it "orientation for new grads."

Other hospitals will use a term like "residency" or "internship" as a marketing technique to attract new grads -- but offer orientation programs that are not much different from a typical orientation.

So, don't get hung up on the word used. Find a hospital you like that has a good new grad orientation program that suits you -- regardless of the word they use to market that program.

Good luck,

llg

RNratched · Feb 5, 2006

:idea: That makes sense! I see all of these terms and it is confusing for a new graduate. This isn't something that you are taught in school or even advice that is passed along for good measure...unfortunately. This also gives me some foundation for questions that I may want to ask recruiters.

Thanks so much...

aac96 · Feb 5, 2006

Check out http://www.versant.org for more information on an RN Residency. It is a 22 week program consisting of classes and following a preceptor.

workingforskies · Feb 5, 2006

As you are looking for a good new grad program, be careful about the words that different hospitals use. Different hospitals use different words to describe the same type of program. Also, different hospitals will use the same word to describe different types of programs.
For example, some hospitals will use the word "residency" to describe an in-depth new grad orientation program. Other hospitals will use the word "intership" to describe the same type of program. Still other hospitals will have equally good new grad orientation programs, but will simply call it "orientation for new grads."
Other hospitals will use a term like "residency" or "internship" as a marketing technique to attract new grads -- but offer orientation programs that are not much different from a typical orientation.
So, don't get hung up on the word used. Find a hospital you like that has a good new grad orientation program that suits you -- regardless of the word they use to market that program.
Good luck,
llg

Just saved me the time as I would have written essentially the same thing. They key point, IMO, is "marketing". All the names they apply to what they call their new grad orientation programs are just different shades of lip stick on same pig.