Memorial Health System has partnered with the University of Iowa College of Nursing to provide a program designed to ease the transition of new graduate nurses into professional practice, aid in socialization as a fully functioning member of the healthcare team and help provide safe and comprehensive patient care. We offer a wide range of opportunities to meet the needs of all new nurse graduates — from medical-surgical to specialty nursing, including emergency department, ICU, women and newborn, and surgery departments. Our nurse residents can start their career in any of these specialties.

We offer a supportive blended-learning approach with an interactive online curriculum, coaching, peer cohort discussions, and self-reflection, all connecting content with practice, simulation, and dedication to your growth as a professional nurse.

Participating in Our Nurse Resident Program Provides:

• Direct placement as a staff nurse to the unit and shift of your choice (based on availability) or the undecided track
• Customized orientation
• Blended learning and multidisciplinary simulations to enhance critical thinking
• Ongoing professional development and support for 12 months
• Peer group & mentor support
• Growth within the professional practice of nursing

Advantages of A Nurse Residency Program:

• Improved clinical judgement and nursing competence
• Strengthened self-confidence within the Registered Nurse (RN) role
• Continued learning within a protective space
• Enhanced resiliency
• Developed clinical leadership skills
• Incorporates research and evidence-based practice

We’re currently accepting applications for our nurse residency program! Our 2024 program will include three cohorts (April, July, and October). Session placement will be dependent upon the completion of the program requirements. Interviews are ongoing throughout the year.

Apply Today!

Program Requirements

• Successful completion of an accredited or Board of Nursing approved RN program
• Active, unencumbered RN license in the state of Ohio
• Less than nine months of RN experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to be accepted into the program?

Any registered nurse with less than 12 months of experience in an acute care hospital is eligible to apply. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited or a Board of Nursing-approved RN program and completed the NCLEX-RN exam. Having a current RN license in the state of Ohio is preferred but not required.

Can I apply before I get my RN license?

Yes, you can apply as a RN student in the final semester of your program. If offered a position, you may work as a clinical graduate upon completion of your RN program while you wait to take the NCLEX.

What is a clinical graduate?

A clinical graduate is a new graduate nurse who is waiting for their Ohio RN license. Clinical graduates are paired with an experienced preceptor on a designated unit.

How many nurse residents will be accepted into the program for each cohort?

The number of positions for each nurse residency cohort is based on current and projected staffing needs at the time of recruitment.

What units are available to choose from after the program is completed?

Nurse residents are eligible for hire into any bedside unit of their choice: the medical/surgical units, cardiac telemetry, surgical trauma, ICU, surgery, women/newborn, or the emergency departments.

Why should I want to participate in a nurse residency?

Research has proven that new graduate nurses who participate in nurse residency programs during their first year as a registered nurse experience an increase in confidence, decrease in stress, and a quicker transition from novice to competent nurse, all of which leads to increased job and professional satisfaction. It also has been shown to contribute to new graduate nurses committing fewer errors and providing patients with higher quality care.

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