If you’re in the last few semesters of nursing school, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to start your career. Many new grad nurses begin in acute care nurse residency programs, which are designed to help you transition from student to working nurse.
But is it necessary to do even more classroom learning after you’ve just been through nursing school? Let’s cover the purpose of these programs, and what you might expect from one.
Nearly 17% of new graduate nurses leave nursing within a year, and up to 30% exit in the first three years. Yet the demand for nurses is projected to grow as care systems become more complex and the baby boomer generation ages.
So how can hospitals and other care facilities retain new nurses? Residency programs are one way to do just that by supporting your transition into professional practice. They also serve several other purposes, such as:
- Improved nurse competency
- Reduced errors
- Decreasing nurse stress
- Better job satisfaction
What Is a Nurse Residency Program?
New grad nurse residency programs take place in larger medical facilities. These programs combine classroom-based learning with clinical supervision to help nurses acclimate to the first year of practice. Programs typically last a year, with the most intensive learning within the first three to six months. Some residencies focus on one unit or specialty, while others rotate new graduates to different units throughout the program.
During residency, you’ll be paired with one or more experienced nurse preceptors, and you’ll work their schedules. At the beginning, you’ll oversee a few patients and will likely want close supervision and guidance. You’ll eventually take on a full caseload and work independently. Even once the residency program is over, you’ll still have your preceptors to turn to if you need help or have questions.
Residencies also have a didactic portion where you’ll learn essential skills, safety practices, and hospital procedures. Some programs will rotate presentations from different hospital departments, so you can understand the care systems you work within. Hospitals onboard new graduates from dozens of nursing schools, so this classroom component helps ensure that nursing practices are standardized across the organization.
If you’re planning to work in a hospital after graduation, participating in a residency program may be a requirement. These programs are a common path for nurses transitioning into acute care specialties such as:
- Med-surg
- Intensive care
- Labor and delivery
- Surgery
- Emergency departments
- Cardiovascular care
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric nursing
New Grad Residency Curriculums
Here are some of the curriculum areas you can expect in a residency program that will help you transition into life as a professional nurse:
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking and reasoning
- Ethical decision-making
- Evidence-based practice
- Informatics and navigating EHRs
- Interprofessional teamwork and collaboration
- Patient-centered care
- Quality improvement
- Safety best practices
- Stress management
- Time management
Nurse Residency Requirements
Most new grad residencies hire students in their final semester of nursing school. Your residency spot is contingent upon you graduating and passing the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and becoming licensed. If you’ve already graduated, it’s usually not too late to join a residency as long as you have fewer than 12 months of nursing experience.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Nursing Residency Programs
Not sure if a residency is the right fit for you? Here are the major benefits of new grad residencies for nurses:
- Professional support: Rather than letting you sink or swim as a new nurse, residencies give you ongoing guidance from preceptors, mentors, and program coordinators. A great residency fosters a nurturing environment for professional growth and development.
- Confidence: It’s normal to feel like you don’t know enough as a new nurse — residencies help you build your confidence alongside a group of your peers. And you’ll still have mentors to turn to when you inevitably have questions.
- Structure: Residency classes and events help give you the comprehensive training necessary to transition into professional nursing. Even though you might be tired of a classroom environment, these programs won’t be like nursing school because you’ll be a working nurse.
At the same time, residency programs aren’t for every new graduate for the following reasons:
- Limited availability: Not all healthcare organizations offer residency programs. They’re most common among acute care facilities in cities. Outpatient offices, rural hospitals, and post-acute areas typically don’t offer them. Even for nurses who are pursuing hospital practice, spots in residencies may be limited depending on your area and specialty.
- Time commitment: Nurse residencies typically ask for a year-long commitment. This might be a hindrance if you plan on moving, or if you realize you don’t enjoy the specialty you’re in.
- Scheduling: For the first several months of a residency program, you’ll be on your preceptor’s schedule. This might be frustrating if your scheduling needs conflict with theirs. Units can sometimes accommodate special scheduling changes if you have an event or other commitment, but not always.
Nurse Residency: Salary Expectations
Nurses in new grad residencies are paid an average of $81,410 per year. However, your salary will be determined by your location and the facility where you choose to work. As you gain experience, additional skills, and certifications, your earning potential will increase. To get a better idea of how much you might make, look at some of the new grad RN jobs available right now.
Nursing Residency Program FAQs
How long are most nurse residency programs?
Most new grad programs are a year in total. At the end of the year, you’ll continue working in the facility as a trained nurse if you choose. Do some research on the residency programs in your area to understand their duration and time expectations.
What’s the difference between residency and fellowship programs for nurses?
Nursing residency programs are designed for new graduates as they transition into professional life. Fellowships are optional postgraduate programs that are for nurse practitioners and other masters- and doctoral-prepared nurses.
What’s the difference between a nurse’s residency and a doctor’s residency?
Despite their names, a nurse’s and a physician’s residency programs are completely different. They serve different purposes, encompass different time commitments, and require different education.
Physician residencies are intensive training programs for medical school graduates that can last between three and seven years. One physician might do several residency programs, often followed by a fellowship.
Nurse residencies are designed to support new graduate nurses in their first year of work. They generally last a year, and are included in a job offer for new graduates in many acute care settings.
What’s the difference between a residency and a nurse internship?
Nurse internship and externship programs are designed for student nurses to gain more experience in a specific area during nursing school. Students might complete an internship over the summer or between semesters. Nurse residencies are for licensed nurses who are new to the profession.
Are nurse residency programs worth it?
New grad residencies are helpful for hospitals and entry-level nurses. If you want to work in acute care and even some non-acute areas, a residency is a great way to get started with the support you need. For many nurses, it may be the only track. In most medical centers, new nurses have to go through a residency program to work there in their first year.
If you’re interested in non-acute work settings, a residency might not be necessary, but it will still be helpful. For example, here are some nursing specialties that often don’t require a residency:
- Community health
- Home health
- Corrections nursing
- Skilled nursing facilities
Find Nurse Residency Positions on IntelyCare
Searching for your first role as a licensed nurse? Check out all of the latest new grad nurse jobs on IntelyCare to find open roles in your area.
