Residency Programs

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2014

Residency programs are supposed to be fantastic and make the transition easier, They are also incredibly difficult to get into. My advise is to apply for them, but apply other places as well in case you are not hired in one.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

Welcome to an!

What semester are you? Is this for homework? We are happy to help....but we need to know what your research has shown you.

mandy13086 · Oct 16, 2014

I applied for a residency program where I work now, but they decided to accept 2 different people instead. However, they had been so impressed that they offered me a medsurg position, no contract instead. Frankly, I think that was better for me. I spoke with someone that was a nurse and had seen how new grads were coming out of a residency program and she didn't like the outcome. She said it sounds great..and it is, but that you still do a lot more observing and classroom learning rather than hands on, with real patients. But because you were so extensively trained in the classroom, they don't feel a need to have you precept as long on the floor..and classroom learning is nothing like the real deal.

Again, this is from someone else's point of view, but I can understand exactly what she was saying..nothing but hands on true experience prepares you for real nursing. Plus..personally, I didn't really like the idea of signing a contract for 2 years and that seems to be the general rule for these programs.

BabyNurse14 · Oct 16, 2014

I applied for a residency program where I work now, but they decided to accept 2 different people instead. However, they had been so impressed that they offered me a medsurg position, no contract instead. Frankly, I think that was better for me. I spoke with someone that was a nurse and had seen how new grads were coming out of a residency program and she didn't like the outcome. She said it sounds great..and it is, but that you still do a lot more observing and classroom learning rather than hands on, with real patients. But because you were so extensively trained in the classroom, they don't feel a need to have you precept as long on the floor..and classroom learning is nothing like the real deal.
Again, this is from someone else's point of view, but I can understand exactly what she was saying..nothing but hands on true experience prepares you for real nursing. Plus..personally, I didn't really like the idea of signing a contract for 2 years and that seems to be the general rule for these programs.

What residency program? If you don't want to say the program...what state are you in Mandy? I recently applied to a few residency programs and have begun hearing back from them.

mandy13086 · Oct 16, 2014

It was from someone else and she worked at Florida hospital for awhile so I assume that's the one she was speaking of. HCA just started theirs..my friend is just now getting on the floor..so idk yet about that one. I had applied for the HCA pcu one. I'm actually glad I was hired right on instead..kind of a God send in different ways..but I still think that the programs are generally a good idea.

flyersfan88 · Oct 17, 2014

I applied for a residency program where I work now, but they decided to accept 2 different people instead. However, they had been so impressed that they offered me a medsurg position, no contract instead. Frankly, I think that was better for me. I spoke with someone that was a nurse and had seen how new grads were coming out of a residency program and she didn't like the outcome. She said it sounds great..and it is, but that you still do a lot more observing and classroom learning rather than hands on, with real patients. But because you were so extensively trained in the classroom, they don't feel a need to have you precept as long on the floor..and classroom learning is nothing like the real deal.
Again, this is from someone else's point of view, but I can understand exactly what she was saying..nothing but hands on true experience prepares you for real nursing. Plus..personally, I didn't really like the idea of signing a contract for 2 years and that seems to be the general rule for these programs.

I'm in a residency program. I do ALL of the work for all of my patients, including charting and communicating with other providers with a 12 week orientation. My hospital also doesn't make you sign a contract. 2 years and a ton of classroom time? Sounds like a crap program to me.

My experience with residency about 2 months in has been pretty positive. They know you're new and embrace it, and everyone on my floor throws opportunities for skills my way. The residency program at my hospital seems more like a support system than anything, there to make you feel like it's okay forn you to be completely clueless.

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2014

I'm in a residency program. I do ALL of the work for all of my patients, including charting and communicating with other providers with a 12 week orientation. My hospital also doesn't make you sign a contract. 2 years and a ton of classroom time? Sounds like a crap program to me.
My experience with residency about 2 months in has been pretty positive. They know you're new and embrace it, and everyone on my floor throws opportunities for skills my way. The residency program at my hospital seems more like a support system than anything, there to make you feel like it's okay forn you to be completely clueless.

Sounds similar to mine. We are on orientation from 12 weeks to more depending on the floor and take a full patient load by the end of that time. No contract here either, and the residency technically lasts a year...we have certain classes once a month through next June, including for those of us in critical care ACLS. I meet once a week with my nurse manager, preceptor, and floor educator to discuss progress. Everyone has been quite supportive.

libran1984, ASN, RN · Oct 17, 2014

My understanding of an RN residency program was that it was meant for all new hires directly out of school to improve retention rates and better familiarize the nurse with protocols and technical skills.

I am confused as to what previous posters speak of when they talk about "applying to a residency".

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2014

In my hospital, and many others in my state, a residency program is very selective. They run several cohorts of residents each year. Other new nurses are hired on at other times, but are not part of the formal residency program, though I have to say they have been widely included in our classroom training. Many of the new nurses hired into non-residency positions are on non-tele med/surg units, whereas the residencies seem to hire into the ICUs, L&D, tele, and ED. It's a more rigorous process in my experience, but well worth it.

RunBabyRN · Oct 20, 2014

My understanding of an RN residency program was that it was meant for all new hires directly out of school to improve retention rates and better familiarize the nurse with protocols and technical skills.
I am confused as to what previous posters speak of when they talk about "applying to a residency".

You have to apply for a residency program. You don't just get into one out of school without applying. Maybe you're thinking of preceptorship/senior capstone, which is part of most programs.

sugar12 · Oct 24, 2014

I started in a new grad program for an HCA hospital but it's ran by Parallon. I'm a med surg nurse but we also had Tele, PCU and ICU in our cohort but they did extra training of course. I think these programs are great if you get the hands on skills in the classroom. Our classroom time 6 weeks, was filled with hands on skills days, SBAR teaching and realistic simulations as well as teaching. I am currently doing 7 weeks of preceptorship on my floor and I definitely feel more confident. My hospital is moving towards every new grad hired going through this program and I think it's a good thing. It comes with a 2 year contract but it doesn't bother me because so far I am being treated with respect and work with a wonderful team.