Internship vs. Residency question

[freckles2rn]

I was just wondering what the differences are between internships and residencies. I cannot really find a definition for either of them. I was also wondering if they are both paid positions. I feel very naive about this and hope that someone can help me out!! I do understand that residencies are usually longer and have a contract to go with them. Any help is appreciated!!

[llg, PhD, RN]

As you probably know, "internship" and "residency" are words the hospitals use to label their extended orientation programs that help new graduates transition into the role of the professional nurse. There are no national standards, offiial guidelines or requirements, etc. that hospitals have to follow about these things. They are free to use those terms any way they want ... to describe any type of program that they want ...etc.

So... you will find differences in how hospitals use these words. The "residency" of one hospital may look exactly like the "internship" of another. What you need to do is look at the specifics of any particular program to know what it includes.

[SLM3]

They are both paid positions, at least I've never seen any that aren't. Correct me if I'm wrong. :)

[LoveANurse09]

Most that I have seen are paid. With a pay increase when you graduate.

[kerussll]

What?? I didn't get paid for mine! It was just the last clinic you did for school, with a lot of hours.

[0402]

Same here- internship was the clinical you did in your last semester (our school was around 200 hours). Where I went to school and where I am now, residency refers to programs for new grad RNs (paid).

[freckles2rn]

Thank you all for your helpful information! Sounds like for the most part they are both paid and that makes me feel a bit better about applying for both right now!! Although I'm almost so desperate to find a job that I would probably take unpaid experience right now;)