Lehigh Valley Health Network- Nurse Residency 2015

Mellie9645 · Mar 11, 2015

I think the positions are for new graduates OR nurses that are new to the acute care units.

rn_nurse2 · Mar 12, 2015

I also called them. They told me all the position for peds or maternity are closed along with ER and critical care units. Im relocating to the area depending on the program if I got in for the critical care unit. :sorry:

Aschrader947 · Mar 9, 2018

Hello All!!! I see this thread is from 2015 so by now most of you are probably well through the nurse residency program. I am finishing my RN in May and considering pursuing this amazing program. I have an extensive clinical background as a flight paramedic but I'm curious as to the layout of the residency and the schedule requirements. I have a commitment to another health system as a paramedic for my tuition reimbursement and a family at home. Does anyone with experience in this program have any input on the schedule or if I will be able to make this work with a 1.5 hour commute and a limit of 3-4 days a week availability?

MCGrn0306 · Mar 12, 2018

I am in the residency program now. The residency program is not much of an extra time commitment. The first few weeks there are some extra "new nurse" workshops, etc. And general hospital orientation, but after that you are orienting on your unit (3, 12s per week) and only have nurse residency seminar once per month (8a to 4p). The nurse rsidency program is a year but is just the seminar once a month for a year so not a really big extra time commitment.

Orientation varies by unit, med/surg are I think 10-12 weeks depending on the unit and critical care areas are longer 16-18 weeks. Most units are day shift orientation for a couple weeks then night shift orientation. All new grads are hired to nightshift. Critical care areas require a one year contract.

I do know some people that commute quite a distance. Whether that is worth it to you depends on your interests, etc. Personally I don't think it is "worth it" necessarily just for the nurse residency program. I will say that they are open to hiring new grads into critical care areas that may be more competitive or impossible to get into at other health systems so if a particular "high demand" specialty is of interest to you I think it is worth it for that experience. Apply early though! I graduated late summer and applied in March and was able to secure a spot in a critical care area prior to graduation.

Hope that helps! Good luck in your job search!