What is a Residency?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Nov 20, 2015

A residency is a program that hospitals establish to help new grad nurses transition from nursing school to nursing. You are hired by the hospital and paid at the new grad pay rate. There is usually classroom time and one on one preceptorship for 6-12 weeks. Some residencies are specific such as train you for a particular unit (NICU, PICU, Adult ICU). Others train you for an area, such as Pediatrics and then place you in the unit that they have a need for.

LindsayJ · Nov 21, 2015

Hi, there!

First off, congratulations on getting your license! It's such an exciting (and occasionally stressful) time!

I am currently finishing up an Emergency/Trauma Residency program at a large hospital in WA, along with eight other nurses. We range from new grads to RNs with 22 years of experience (I myself had 7 months as a float nurse). What our Residency entails is one eight-hour class per week, where we get to debrief, ask questions, and study key topics in ED nursing, plus shifts on the floor with a preceptor. We work between 36-40 hours per week, and our program lasts 12 weeks. Once we complete the Residency, we are guaranteed a benefitted position in our ED.

I can't speak for other programs, but I believe that most of them adhere to a similar formula. I know that many of them focus on specialties, as mentioned above, but some offer Residencies for Med/Surg as well. I have truly loved my Residency, as it has provided me with the experience and education that I need to be a successful and proficient ED RN. I would recommend it whole-heartedly.

I I hope I have helped to answer at least part of your question, but if you have further inquiries, please let me know. Again, congratulations, and best of luck in your new career!!!

LindsayJ · Nov 21, 2015

Hi, there!

First off, congratulations on getting your license! It's such an exciting (and occasionally stressful) time!

I am currently finishing up an Emergency/Trauma Residency program at a large hospital in WA, along with eight other nurses. We range from new grads to RNs with 22 years of experience (I myself had 7 months as a float nurse). What our Residency entails is one eight-hour class per week, where we get to debrief, ask questions, and study key topics in ED nursing, plus shifts on the floor with a preceptor. We work between 36-40 hours per week, and our program lasts 12 weeks. Once we complete the Residency, we are guaranteed a benefitted position in our ED.

I can't speak for other programs, but I believe that most of them adhere to a similar formula. I know that many of them focus on specialties, as mentioned above, but some offer Residencies for Med/Surg as well. I have truly loved my Residency, as it has provided me with the experience and education that I need to be a successful and proficient ED RN. I would recommend it whole-heartedly.

I hope I have helped to answer at least part of your question, but if you have further inquiries, please let me know. Again, congratulations, and best of luck in your new career!!!