Nurse Residency Program

Geographic Scope: Frederick County, MD

Program Duration: 12 months

Frederick Health offers a 12-month nurse residency program to provide clinical and educational support to Registered Nurses entering the field of nursing as new graduates. The evidence-based program fosters the development of the Frederick Health nurse and supports quality patient care and outcomes.

Main Goals

• Ease the transition from student nurse to RN
• Increase nurse competence and confidence
• Ensure quality patient care
• Retain RNs

Program Highlights

• Week of "resident classes" focusing on education specific to new RNs, including simulation exercises
• Partnership with an experienced RN preceptor who guides progression in patient assignment and completion of competency-based orientation
• Biweekly meetings with preceptor, CNS, and Manager to adapt program to individual needs
• Share days with other disciplines or programs
• Monthly four-hour educational sessions with Education Specialists including:
  • Case study presentations by residents
  • Educational in-service
  • Resident forum/open discussion for support
  • Completion celebration

Clinical Orientation

• Initial clinical orientation with 1:1 preceptor: 8 to 12 weeks depending on specialty
• Ongoing education and support for 12 months via resident forums

Requirements for Nurse Residents

• Sign commitment to work full time for 24 months on unit of hire
• Mirror/follow primary preceptor's schedule
• Attend all program components including classes
• Return to classes and support groups/forums throughout 12-month residency

Specialty Considerations

• Specialty areas such as ED, ICU, NICU, OR, and L&D will consider Residents/Graduate Nurses on case-by-case basis
• Units typically hiring nursing residents include med/surg/telemetry (3A, 3B, 3G, 4A, 4B, 4G)

Affiliation

• Frederick Health is a member of the Maryland Nurse Residency Collaborative; a network of hospitals providing statewide and standardized approach for nurse residency programs

Contact Information:

• Frederick Health Hospital Inc
• 400 West 7th Street
• Frederick, MD 21701
• Phone: 240-566-3300

Application Process

Those interested in the Residency program may apply to any open nursing position. During the interview process, the residency program will be discussed with new grads who apply to vacant RN positions.

Residents may be hired into bedside RN positions at Frederick Health at any time during the year depending on:

• Unit needs
• Vacancies
• Skill mix of RN experience on the unit