What Is a Nursing Residency Program?

Registered nurses (RNs), are the most common types of nurses. They take care of patients and assist with medical procedures.

To become a registered nurse, you'll need to complete nursing school and pass an exam to earn your nursing license.

Many nurses also take the extra step of completing a nursing residency program.

But what is a nursing residency program? Keep reading as we break down everything you need to know about residency programs for registered nurses.

What is a Nursing Residency Program?

Nursing residency programs are specialty training programs that nurses can go through after they graduate from nursing school and have obtained their registered nursing license.

These programs are similar to medical residency programs, in that they provide additional training and experiences in your chosen nursing specialty.

However, nursing residency is not a requirement for registered nurses, and nurses are paid something close to a typical RN salary while they participate in the program.

During a nursing residency program, you'll work alongside other nursing residents in a cohort and be overseen by a nursing mentor.

At the beginning of nursing residency, nurses spend most of their time learning the hospital systems, completing additional training, and attending lectures.

Then, they move on to patient care, working directly with patients under the supervision of their nursing mentor.

Accredited nursing programs focus on seven key areas:

• Knowledge for nursing practice
• Interprofessional practice
• Person-centered care
• Leadership and systems-based practice
• Development of the professional nurse
• Scholarship for nursing practice
• Foundations of nursing: quality and safety

These programs usually last for several months, but some may be as short as six weeks.

Each state and hospital has different regulations for nursing residency programs.

Benefits of Nursing Residency Programs

There are a few different benefits to nursing residency programs.

Most significantly, they allow you to have extended training within a particular specialty while still working in a clinical setting.

Additionally, nursing residency programs help ease the transition from nursing school to nursing work.

Many nurses find these programs help make them more comfortable in their nursing careers.

The guidance of a mentor can help nurses develop their careers and gain a deeper understanding of the nursing industry.

Studies show that nursing residencies help improve patient outcomes.

Nurses also tend to be less likely to quit the field early if they start with a nursing residency.

On top of that, a residency looks good on your resume and can help you get hired into specialty nursing units.

Often, these residency programs are structured so that the resident nurse receives a job offer from the institution where they're completing their residency.

Downsides of Nursing Residency Programs

While there are benefits to nursing residency programs, there are downsides as well.

These programs can be incredibly competitive and put the resident under constant supervision, both of which can be highly stressful.

There's also the time commitment.

Nursing residents are spending an additional few months in training and classroom work, rather than jumping right into their nursing career.

Many institutions also require nursing residents to work there when the residency is complete, sometimes with a contract that lasts one to three years.

Nursing residents often don't have much say in their responsibilities or schedules.

They may be required to work the least desirable shifts and may not get much input on what days they work.

Though most nursing residents get paid similarly to what new nurses make, depending on your state and employer, you may get paid less, which can put you at a disadvantage.

Are Nursing Residency Programs Required?

There are currently no states that require nurses to complete a nursing residency before they can work as registered nurses.

However, some employers may require new nurses to complete a nursing residency program before they are allowed to start officially working as a registered nurse.

How to Find a Nursing Residency Program

Accredited nursing residency programs are available through Vizient and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) via their Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program.

This program is available in 47 states but is not available in Nevada, Utah, or Wyoming.

If you live in these states, you may still be able to find a residency program with a local healthcare provider, but it won't be accredited.

In the remaining 47 states, a complete list of Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program providers is available at AACNNursing.org.

A few states only have one or two nursing residency program providers, but many states have multiple providers to choose from.

While it's not a requirement for a nursing residency program to be accredited, programs that are accredited are certain to meet predetermined standards and outcomes.

How to Apply for a Nursing Residency Program

The application process for nursing residency programs will vary depending on the employer.

Most employers will have application information available on their website.

Typically, you will need to provide proof that you've completed nursing school and obtained your registered nursing license.

However, some programs accept applicants while they're in their final year of school.

At some healthcare centers, all freshly graduated registered nurses are required to go through the nursing residency program.

In this case, you apply for the nursing job, not the residency specifically, and if you're hired, you are automatically enrolled in the nursing residency program.

Some programs may require you to hold additional certifications. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) is a common requirement and a certification most nurses need to hold anyway.

Consider a Nursing Residency Program

Nursing residency programs offer new nurses specialty training and a smooth transition into clinical nursing practice.

With the guide above, you can determine if a nursing residency program is the right choice for you.