residency programs

In general, residency programs last longer than "typical" new employee orientations and include more classroom/education pieces than in regular orientations.

I just finished a residency program. It was 16 weeks, started with a lot of orientation and then specific education. Loved every minute of it and it was really helpful to be eased into my very first nursing job. I really felt like I was given more specific education for my field I'm nursing in and the support was awesome!! On the flip side my sister had a few weeks with a preceptor and was pretty much dumped into her new position.

Thank you for the responses! That is pretty much what I was thinking but I just wanted to clarify. So what all do hospitals look at when applying for a residency program? Is it based on grades?

Eligibility criteria for residency programs will vary. In my organization, we look at GPA, Instructor recommendations, panel interview & the applicant's overall career goals (in a written document). We give precedence to students who have had rotations in our facility(ies) and who live in the area. Our programs are very competitive.

There is only one hospital in the community where I live and they only hire nurses with 3 years experience. The only exception to this is to get hired on through the residency program. I am in the middle of the application process for the residency program, and it is a multi step, almost audition like process - so much more than just an interview. It is what I have to do if I want to work in the hospital vs. care center.

I have an interview for an OR graduate nurse residency on Tuesday. I've had my license since Sept and have applied to numerous jobs with no call backs. Everyone wants experience.

This residency is only $15/hour and would be a hefty paycut from my current job (bookkeeper) - but I may have to just tough it out for a while. This residency may be my best chance at a foot in the door.

I have an interview for an OR graduate nurse residency on Tuesday. I've had my license since Sept and have applied to numerous jobs with no call backs. Everyone wants experience. This residency is only $15/hour and would be a hefty paycut from my current job (bookkeeper) - but I may have to just tough it out for a while. This residency may be my best chance at a foot in the door.

So you get paid 15/hr during the "residency" but do you get an increase after?

Not quite sure- I believe it is a type of program that may offer jobs to some of the candidates at the end of the residency. I have to ask all of these questions during the interview.