Nurse Residency Program

The post-baccalaureate UHC/AACN Nurse Residency Program (NRP) began in 2002 as a demonstration project for BSN graduates. The residency program is a series of learning and work experiences designed to support graduate nurses as they transition into their first professional positions for direct care roles in the academic acute care hospital setting.

The curriculum is divided into three topic areas.

Leadership

  • Resource management
  • Communication and delegation
  • Organization of data
  • Managing the delivery of care

Patient outcomes

  • Patient safety
  • Patient pain management
  • Evidence-based skin care practice
  • Patient teaching
  • Responding to emergencies

Professional role

  • End of life care
  • Diversity in the nursing care environment
  • Evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes
  • Stress management and self-care

Stanford Health Care (SHC) entered the nation-wide demonstration project in July, 2006. The project was concluded in 2012 with results published in Feb 2013. (Goode CJ, Lynn MR, McElroy D, Bednash GD, Murray B. Lessons learned from 10 years of research on a post-baccalaureate nurse residency program. Nurs Adm. 2013 Feb; 43(2):73-9.)

The UHC/AACN benchmarking report was initiated in 2012. The goal of the benchmarking report was to "enhance the ability of NRP sites to benchmark their results against those of others in the program". Rankings in the top five are identified as best practice. Stanford had the highest number of top five rankings for all sites across the US. The SHC program has been among those programs recognized as a national best practice on the UHC/AACN national outcomes report for four consecutive years.

The one year program includes eight 8 hour seminars and culminates in the nurse residents presenting an evidence based project to peers, colleagues, CNSs, Managers, and a Nurse Scientist.

The program's on-line application period is open twice a year in December and May. Applications are initially screened by HR and then by nurse leaders at SHC. Selected candidates move onto a panel interview, and then final candidates are invited to interviews at the unit level.

There are approximately 16-18 slots available in December and May. All RNs hired into the program are Stanford Health Care employees.

To apply to the Nurse Residency Program, please visit the Stanford Hospital & Clinics Career Site.