Hi All! I’ll be a new grad in May. Any tips for getting into a good residency program?
Get some good references from instructors and places you did clinical rotations
Be flexible. You'll probably be offered night shift. Take it and shine!
Don’t hesitate to take a job at a SNF, if you can’t get into a hospital right now. Patients are sicker than ever at SNF’s and six months to a year and you are good to go at a hospital! Plus you will have developed good time management skills 😁
Start networking now if you can. See if anyone you know currently works anywhere with a good program. I know the programs at magnet designated hospitals tend to be the best as the have attained “nurse excellence”.
Pick a specialty. Then start applying. The secret is the interview. There's a nursing shortage so more people are willing to hire new grads, but lack the recourse to train them. Ask about the program, time of training and preceptor.
Also, be prepared to stay awhile. Give your hospital and specialty at least a year or two. Even if you break off and do agency elsewhere.
As someone who hopped jobs a lot the grass isn't always greener. Nursing is hard and thankless.
As a nurse leader, some are pulling away from nurse residency programs. Nurses train for 6 months then leave to work for the competition.
I work in an at will state, and technically you don't owe your employer years of your career, but know it not only effects you but the future new grads looking for jobs.
It was very easy for me to get into a residency program in Florida, but seems way harder to get into one out west; it depends on where you are. They are so understaffed here they will take you at a Level 1 Trauma Center. The pay sucks, though.
You are the person in which is your decision, what you like best in the nursing career.
Try the NP
I suggest start taking certifications like BLS for Provider or ACLS or PALS and if you have the time volunteer.. i see a lot of residency program that ask for that and also make sure you secure a strong recommendation letter from your clinical instructors.
Hi. Check that the pay is adequate for you (allows for no surprises) and make sure you will have a designated preceptor for at least 3 months - great facilities allow for 3 months to a year with a preceptor. There should be mandatory classes to assist you with transitioning from new grad to independent professional nurse. Depending on the program, they should offer automatic hiring depending on your preceptor clinical and interpersonal relationship evaluations.
Northwestern Memorial in Chicago has a great OR nurse residency program.
