What was your experience with a new grad residency program? Would you recommend it over a regular nursing position? How did it pay? How was the interview process? Any info helps!!

The residency didn’t affect the pay or require a different interview process, but I know I’m a safer, more capable, and more competent nurse for going through a residency. Of course, you get out what you put in, but approaching the residency courses and sessions with humility and openness will ensure you are prepared to be an advocate and a high level asset to the patient’s health care team.

The new grad program I participated in was helpful in building confidence as a new nurse. We learned and reviewed skills, and were also given resources on burnout and wellness. The pay was decent for a brand new nurse. The interview process was fair and simple. If you want to be a hospital/bedside nurse then this is a route I would highly recommend.

My personal experience was not a positive one and the pay was substandard. The interview process was relatively easy but the residency program was a way to occupy 100% of your time between 3 12 hour shifts, classroom work and EBP projects. It was like being in school again

Of course everyone’s experience is different. Mine, unfortunately, wasn’t a good one, especially bc I moved to another state for a residency program in one of the top hospitals in the country. I learned very quickly that big names and organizations don’t really mean anything if the training, leadership, and organization is missing. I stuck it out for 6 months and although I learned some skills in that particular specialty, the program at that particular hospital not only made me strongly dislike the specialty, but I began to question why I entered the nursing profession, which is sad and scary bc nursing is all I’ve ever wanted to do. This is when I knew I had to leave the program and hospital to maintain my sanity and to find my passion elsewhere in nursing instead of abandoning altogether. I’ve spoken to others who’ve had similar experiences in other residency programs in other areas, and it’s unfortunate bc we’ve worked so hard to become RN’s and secure that first position. Trying to find a balance with beginning a new job, remembering what we learned in school, adjusting to being a new nurse, overcoming obstacles like textbook vs real-world nursing, learning time management, finding time to sleep, and getting along with your preceptor(s), who probably had to be convinced to precept in the first place - it’s enough to make anyone second-guess themselves everyday. Having a good foundation as a nurse is so important, so when that first position doesn’t work out, it can make you feel like a failure. Personally, if I could go back in time and if there had been more opportunities available, I would’ve gone straight to a staff nurse position instead of going thru a residency program.

The new grad residency program that I was in was outstanding.I started working right after I graduated and moved 350 miles from home for my job. I did not know anyone
The residency program introduced me tomy other new grads.
It gave me the opportunity to explore other units and increase my skills. My Advisor stopped by the unit a few time a week to check on how I was doing and was a wonderful advocate and helped me develop problem solving skills.
We had monthly meetings, the entire group would come together and share their stories of growth or issues.
We usually had speakers to update us on various topics, or we went on'field trips' such as to visit a pharmaceutical company or a historic cemetery.
Monthly lunches togther were always something we looked forward to.
I definitely feel as if the residency program made my transition from student to RN much smoother and not so overwhelming.

I wouldn't do it again because it made me feel trapped in a job that I hated because they were going to make me pay them to leave. The nurse to patient ratios were not at what they said and the job wasn't doable. It had me terrified that I wouldn't be able to do something because there just wasn't enough time in the day and lose my license. I would work 3 hours OVER my 12.5 hour shift to get everything done and I basically ran the whole time except when charting. I will never let another employer scare me like that again and because of it I will not do floor nursing again.

I went through the JPS Hospital Nurse Residency program. I learned alot. The pay was less than I expected but the experience was well worth it. I recommend going through a residency program and learn as much as you can. One of the areas that I would like to see improved is teaching the new graduate nurses how to document properly and how to communicate with providers properly using SBAR.

My new grad nurse program was required for all new grads my facility, but I didn’t find it helpful. If you’re able to get a nursing position without going through a new grad program that has a generous orientation you’d be just fine without going through one. The interview process was extremely easy, but the pay at my facility is well below market - not just for new grads but for experienced nurses as well.

I completed Saint David's new grad residency program in Austin, Texas. I have nothing to compare it to, but I believe that it adequately prepared me to work in the hospital and was very informative. I highly recommend that new graduates apply to a hospital with a residency program so they can be guided into their role and take their time learning.

I highly recommend a residency program vs. regular nursing positions. For one they’re paid so you get paid to go to class and educate yourself more on the company you’re working for and you get to vent about with other nurses how their experience as a nurse is going. I learned a lot clinical and rule regulations during the residency program. The interview process is not hard, you just have to be confident. They ask questions about why you chose this company, a life changing experience you had in the nursing experience, how you deal with conflict amongst staff.

I went to a county teaching hospital as a graduate nurse in 1980. The salary was average in the community. The best experience ever!

It was from May-August and they prepared us to take our state board examination. It was a 2 day exam in Jacksonville, Fl. The hospital closed in 1992 however I would recommend any new graduate nurse to select a teaching hospital for a first job with a good long orientation!

I graduated in 1986. There was no such thing. Watching current programs, if you are a new grad it's good. If you are a seasoned nurse, it's a waste of time and insulting to your years of experience.

If you're a new grad coming right out of college and you haven't begun working, then yes I would highly encourage it. But if you have any nursing experience and you are a seasoned nurse then no it's just a waste of time.