Nursing Residency Programs

A nurse residency program is great for a new grad. First, it shows that the hospital invests in the future of their nurses and wants their new grads to succeed. The main point of the program is allow new grads to come together and network, so you don't feel alone. You will also have many educational seminars presented by specialists in your hospital, we had a lot of NPs talk to us about topics such as ethics/legal issues, wound care, end of life, leadership roles, etc. We also had skill days so that we could practice skills we didn't regularly use on the floor, ex. NG insertion, codes. A lot of the presentations are review but they were very helpful. It was also helpful to hear about other new grads experiences on their unit and how they handled those experiences. I definately recommend participating, you should get paid to go to the classes too!

Sometimes they're called nurse fellowship programs. Yes, they should definitely be paid positions, but sometimes you don't get full RN pay until after you complete the program. I've seen programs that run from 6 weeks to a full year for some specialty units like burn, trauma or ER. There will be some classroom training, some shadowing and on the job training. It's a great opportunity and you'll learn a lot if it's a good program. Good luck!

Nurse Residency programs are designed to bridge the gap between novice and practitioner in a supporting environment. I'm currently in one at the University of Virginia Health Sytem in the MICU. Not only do you have continuing education, but you also have 1:1 preceptorship for a few months. People get a little confused thinking that it's not a real job or that it's just temporary. That is incorrect. You get hired to work at the hospital as an RN. It's now your job, your profession. You just happen to be receiving intensive, focused study and training to perform your job well, support you when you get stressed, and show you the art of nursing in a safe environment.

Studies have shown that the overall proficiency, satisfaction, and retention are greater when transitioned into the role of a practicing nurse via a residency program. You would do well to get into one as the benefits are amazing. Typically residency programs are affiliated with a college or university and you will have access to graduate/continuing education programs often at a reduced tuition. Typically you will be affiliated with teaching hospitals where you can learn the greatest and latest, be on the cutting edge of research, and give yourself the foundation you'll need after you have a better idea of your new professional life.

Hope this helps!

yeah...more hosp are doing these residency programs to keep more nurses...it takes a lot of moeny to train new nurses which is why these residency programs are good/./

Thank you for the information.

If you have one near you, go for it!!

Im looking at one that is a year long.