How to choose a nurse residency program

If you’re studying to be a registered nurse (RN) and starting to think about your next step post-graduation, you’ve probably heard about nurse residency programs. Think of new grad RN programs like a cross between an apprenticeship and internship. These formalized transition-to-practice programs in hospitals and other health care settings are meant to help new nurses bridge the “practice gap” that often occurs between nursing school and working in a clinical environment.

Nurse residency programs aren’t just for newly graduated nurses, however. Many programs also meet the needs of more seasoned RNs who are new to a clinical specialty area or health care setting, say Laurel More MS, RN, NPD-BC, CPN; and L. Jessie Jones-Bell, MS ed., RN, PHN. More and Jones-Bell are co-chairs of the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing’s (AAACN) Academic and Practice Partnership Task Force and co-authors of the AAACN’s new nurse residency program.

Why are nurse residency programs so valuable, and how does a soon-to-graduate RN decide which program is right for them? More and Jones-Bell answer these and other common questions.

How are nurse residency programs different from orientation programs?

The typical hospital orientation program is usually just a few months long, and is mainly focused on training for the clinical area in which a new nurse will be working. By contrast, most nurse residency programs run for six months to a year, and are much more comprehensive and highly structured—providing support, education, and mentoring for newly graduated nurses or nurses who are new to a clinical specialty. These two groups of nurses may start together, but the experienced RNs new to a practice area can be assimilated into independent practice more quickly since they are not novice nurses.

Why should a new graduate attend a nurse residency program?

Researchers say that it can take a newly licensed nurse a minimum of 12 months to grasp the understanding of what nursing really entails versus what they may have thought it was as a student. Participating in a nurse residency program can help a new nurse feel more confident and competent working in a clinical setting.

Studies have also shown that nurse residency programs support safe patient care, help to increase retention of RNs in the workforce and promote evidence-informed practice, which takes the guesswork out of care. Nurse residency programs were a key recommendation of the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 landmark report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.”

How do I choose the nurse residency program that’s right for me?

Check to see if the program is accredited. Nurse residency programs can be accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP).

If a nurse residency program you’re interested in is not accredited, it’s a good idea to ask about the health care organization’s turnover rate and job satisfaction scores. Asking these questions during an interview can help a new nursing graduate determine if this is an organization or clinical area they want to start their career in.

Are nursing residency programs competitive?

Some nurse residency programs can be very competitive, especially if they are at large urban academic medical centers and have achieved Magnet designation, which is an award related to the strength and quality of a hospital’s nursing practice.

Specialty specific programs, such as pediatrics or ambulatory care, tend to be more competitive than others. Health care organizations that are known for having nursing leadership opportunities and that support further professional career growth opportunities also tend to have more competition for spots in their nurse residency programs.

How is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting nurse residency programs?

Now that hospitals have shifted their priorities to COVID-19 preparedness, it’s expected that many nurse residency programs will need to be delayed. But once the pandemic is settled, resources, time and investment will most likely be reallocated to residency programs.

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