Nurse Residency

At CommonSpirit Health and within our Virginia Mason Franciscan Health hospitals, we believe our nursing care is out brand.  We are committed to providing a nationally-standardized, evidence-based best practice for newly licensed and new-to-practice nurses to transition-to-practice safely, effectively, and efficiently.

The CSH National Nurse Residency Program delivers nursing orientation and organizational socialization within the profession, providing individualized and personalized partnerships with each resident throughout the full first year.  Through specialty specific education and support, both in-person and virtually-enhanced, the new nurse’s critical thinking skills, evidence-based decision making skills, engagement, stress management, and leadership skills will be developed, nurtured, and optimized.  This prepares the nurse resident to practice at a higher level, to confront daily challenges, and to help influence the workplace for the better.

The structure of this program provides a comprehensive, systematic, and standardized approach designed to onboard new graduates into their professional role with multi-layered support that continues throughout their first year of practice.  A competency-based curriculum couples with trained preceptors and active mentorship capitalizes on the ANCC Accreditation design; innovative, contemporary, and evidence-based practices.  This process, for expediting the transition from student to competent staff nurse, is supported by the CANVAS platform designed by Dignity Health Global Education.

Nurse residents will be required to complete each of the components of the program during that first year, including:

• Didactic
• Skills enhancement
• Simulation
• An EBP project
• Attend all monthly transition-to-practice program courses to graduate

The CSH NNRP accelerates nursing competency by providing in-depth experiences, education, and support during the nurse resident’s first year.  Their success is demonstrated by their competency and confidence at the end of 18 weeks that can equal nurses at 18 months of practice who are on-boarded traditionally without the benefit of a structured residency program.  This acceleration of competence has direct and tangible benefits to both organizations and nurses alike.

When you are deciding where to begin your career, it is important to select an organization that has made a commitment to invest in its most valuable resource – its nurses!

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health February 2024 Residency will be offered in the following specialty areas:

Medical/Surgical/Tele

• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Observation Unit
• Surgical Specialty
• Medical Specialty

Float Pool

Critical Care

Progressive Care

Emergency Services

Perioperative Services

Completing the Application Process:

Please include the following items as part of your application:

• Cover Letter/Statement of Interest including your top two specialty areas
• Current Resume
• At least one professional letter of recommendation including signature
• Current nursing school transcript

Top candidates will be invited to a virtual or in person interview where they will meet a panel of nurse leaders, hiring managers, and/or peers.

Deadline for submitting applications is January 5, 2024 for a February 20, 2024 start.

For more information, contact the PNW Rn Residency Team at RNResidencyPWN@CommonSpirit.org.

Candidate Requirements:

• Applicants are required to have graduated, within the last year, from an accredited Associate or Baccalaureate nursing program.
• Less than 12 months of inpatient (acute care) work experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Candidates must pass the NCLEX prior to the start of the program, but not necessarily prior to the interview.
• Washington State or multi-state RN license MUST be active at least one week prior to start date.
• Current American Heart Association BLS certification.

Resident Commitment:

• Ability to work 40 hours per week throughout the 12-month program.
• Must be available to work varying days/shifts during the precepted time; to include weekends, day shift, night shift, etc.
• Active participation in all learning activities.
• Successful candidates will be required to sign a two-year commitment letter which commences after independent practice begins.