New Nurse Grads and our Nurse Residency Program

All new graduate nurses joining VCU Medical Center participate in a Nurse Residency Program coordinated through the Department of Education and Professional Development (EPD) in partnership with Nurse Managers and Nurse Clinicians.

About our program

Since 2004, in collaboration with the VCU School of Nursing, we have offered the Vizient and America Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Nurse Residency Program curriculum. This one-year program supports new graduates of all pre-licensure nursing programs. The Nurse Residency Program at VCU Medical Center is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

Vision: All new graduate nurses receive the tools to reach their full potential to become tomorrow’s nursing leaders at the VCU Medical Center.

Mission: In partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, VCU Medical Center provides a comprehensive, evidence-based transition program to prepare newly graduated registered nurses to be safe, competent, and confident nursing professionals.

Other nursing benefits include:

• Preceptorship program
• Competitive salary and shift differential
• Paid review course for National Council Licensure Examination (Kaplan, Hurst Uworld)
• Tuition assistance for Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Enrollment

All newly hired new graduate nurses are enrolled and must be:

• Graduates of a pre-licensure nursing program within the previous 12 months with less than one year of RN work experience
• Hold current RN licensure in Virginia, or compact state, or be eligible for licensure (all selected candidates must take and pass NCLEX within 90 days of graduation date)
• Residency cohorts are defined by seasonal on-board periods of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Program components

Our program incorporates a variety of individual and group learning activities which complement unit-based clinical learning activities. Nurse Residents commit the following components of the one-year program:

• Complete online program evaluation at the start of the program, at 6 months and 12 months
• Complete unit competency-based clinical orientation successfully
• Attend monthly Nurse Residency seminars for the duration of the one-year program
• Complete and submit a Nurse Residency Portfolio that includes self-evaluation and clinical reflections aligned with domains of practice outlined in the VCU Health – VCU Medical Center Professional Advancement Program©
• Complete, submit, and present an approved Clinical Leadership Project
• Attend and participate in the Nurse Residency Poster Showcase and Recognition at program completion

Program goals

Through the program the nurse resident will:

• Make the transition from advanced beginner nurse toward competent nurse
• Develop effective decision-making skills related to clinical judgment and safety in the healthcare environment
• Provide clinical nursing leadership, in conjunction with the interprofessional team, at the point of care
• Strengthen commitment to the profession of nursing
• Increase engagement in the healthcare organization and profession
• Incorporate evidence-based practice to inform decision making at the point of care

Curriculum content

Our program includes two phases: 

In the Perspectives series, nurse residents are provided transitional support and an opportunity to explore professional themes of practice.

Perspectives Series

Perspectives I: Safety for Self & Others
Perspectives II: Relationship-Based Care
Perspectives III: Nursing Process
Perspectives IV: Team Relationships
Perspectives V: Ethics & End of Life
Perspectives VI: Career Development

During month 6, participants begin the Clinical Inquiry series. Here the focus is on the development of clinical leadership skills as residents apply inquiry skills in clinical leadership projects.

Clinical Inquiry Series

Clinical Inquiry I: Quality is a Team Sport
Clinical Inquiry II: Using New Nursing Science
Clinical Inquiry III: Acting on the What and Why
Clinical Inquiry IV: Digging for Gold
Clinical Inquiry V: Linking Evidence to Action
Clinical Inquiry VI: Sharing Evidence

Contact information

For HR questions about job interviews or HR-related questions, please contact HR4U@vcuhealth.org

For Nurse Residency Program questions, contact one of our coordinators NRPAdmin@vcuhealth.org

Admission to the program:

There is no separate application to the Nurse Residency Program.

Step 1: Visit www.vcuhealth.org/careers
Step 2: Search current Registered Nurse job openings in our online job portal
Step 3: Create a user account within the online job portal
Step 4: Apply for a Registered Nurse position

Once you have been selected to interview for a Registered Nurse position, offered and accept a position at VCU Health, you confirm enrollment in the Nurse Residency Program during the first week of hire.

New grads are encouraged to watch for new career postings!