Nurse Residency Program (NRP)

The Nurse Residency Program (NRP) focuses on new graduate nurses as they enter clinical practice. The evidenced-based curriculum delivers on four key areas:

Eligible candidates are newly hired nurses who will work in a hospital setting and have less than one year of experience. These team members are automatically enrolled in the program upon accepting a nursing position at Baptist. The NRP bridges the gap between preparation and practice through a series of learning experiences designed to support new hospital nurses as they transition into professional nursing practice.

The NRP bridges the gap between preparation and practice through a series of learning experiences designed to support new nurses as they transition into professional nursing practice. Series of monthly classroom seminars allow new nurses to network and enhance their professional practice as well as improve their critical thinking skills and situational awareness. In addition to the three-month program, new graduates receive eight weeks of structured orientation on the hiring unit.

Participation Guidelines

• Attend, actively participate and complete all activities in the program including online courses and small groups. All of the program activities take place during paid hours off their respective unit.
• Residents are required to attend all 3 sessions for full program participation.

Eligibility

• Must be a registered nurse (R.N.) less than one year of full time R.N. experience (less than 2,080 hours) by start date.
• Must have graduated from an accredited nursing program.
• Must have a current unencumbered Florida R.N. license.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Baptist Hospital’s Nurse Residency Program?

The Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is a three-month long series of learning experiences designed to support new registered nurses (R.N.) as they transition into professional nursing practice. All new nurse graduates will be automatically enrolled in the program once they begin employment at Baptist. To see current listings, click on Search Jobs at the top of the page. The classes will begin every ten weeks and the residents will be rolled into the next class available after hire date.

What does Baptist Health Care’s Nurse Residency provide?

Mentorship and support for graduate registered nurses (R.N.) to improve their personal and professional development, confidence, competency and critical thinking skills. The residency will help new nurses become better prepared clinicians and foster the development of both the art and science of their nursing practice.

How often will Baptist offer the Nurse Residency?

Residency cohorts, or groups, will be started each month. The goal is to keep the cohorts small to promote cohesiveness and provide a supportive environment for new nurses.

What are the requirements for application to Baptist’s Nurse Residency Program?

Less than 1 year of full time R.N. experience (less than 2,080 hours)

Do I need to pass the NCLEX prior to applying?

Yes, you must have an active license prior to applying for a registered nurse position.

Is a BSN degree required?

ASN and BSN graduates are all eligible for the program. It is strongly encouraged that ASN graduates will be committed to the completion of the BSN degree within three years.

What will my schedule be during the Residency?

Once orientation to the unit is completed, you will move to the regularly scheduled pattern of shifts for your position. Time dedicated to the Residency Program activities will be accommodated in your schedule. You will meet once a month with your residency cohort.

What will I be paid while in the Residency Program?

Your normal hourly wage.

Is it possible to take time off during the residency?

Yes, paid leave and requests for time off will follow Baptist policy.

Do I have to participate in the Nurse Residency Program to become employed at Baptist as a new graduate?

Yes, all new graduates will be enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program (NRP).

Does this program replace the traditional orientation program?

No, this program complements and supplements the traditional orientation. All new graduates will complete the traditional orientation, which has class, online and clinical practice experiences. The orientation will take place on the clinical unit for which the nurse is hired.

Do nurse residents choose their unit or are they assigned?

The resident applies to a specific clinical area and is automatically enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program.

I have more than one year of R.N. experience – do I still qualify for the Nurse Residency Program?

Unfortunately, you would not qualify. This program is only for new graduate R.N.'s with less than 12 months of experience. However there are many internal and external opportunities for professional development for all of our nurses at Baptist.