The Pros and Cons of a Doing a Nursing Residency
Key takeaways:
Nurse residency programs offer a supportive learning environment to ease the transition from being a student nurse to being a practicing nurse.
Participants in nurse residency programs report a higher level of job satisfaction and feel more clinically competent.
If you are ready to leave the classroom setting, a nurse residency program might not be for you.
New nursing graduates face a transition period that can often be stressful. It’s completely normal to lack confidence in your knowledge and skills and to worry that you’ll make mistakes while learning how to function in a new role.
Today’s healthcare environment is complex, and it’s difficult for nursing schools to adequately prepare new graduates for the myriad of environments they might work in. That’s where nursing residency programs (NRPs) come in. These programs have been shown to help new grads in several social and practice areas.
Let’s explore what to expect from an NRP and whether you should consider looking for one after you graduate.
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What is a nursing residency program?
Nursing residency programs help new nurses transition from the role of a student to that of practicing nurse. These programs combine classroom instruction with clinical orientation under the guidance of a preceptor. The typical NRP lasts from 6 to 12 months, though some organizations offer programs that are as short as 6 weeks. You’ll find NRPs at hospitals, public health organizations, psychiatric facilities, and long-term care centers. Specialty units such as intensive care or oncology often require new nurses to complete an NRP. During an NRP you’ll care for patients in a particular nursing unit or you might even rotate through a few different units to gain experience across several specialties.
During an NRP, you’ll be a paid employee of the organization where you’re working, but you’ll still spend some time in a classroom setting to learn skills you’ll need on the unit where you’ve been placed. For your clinical work, you’ll be paired with a nurse preceptor whose schedule will match yours and who will provide guidance when you’re working on the unit. This arrangement will feel familiar to new graduates transitioning from school to the practice setting.
Let’s dive into the benefits and drawbacks of an NRP
Pros of a nursing residency
Research shows NRPs can help novice nurses develop into competent, confident staff members. The benefits you can expect from an NRP include:
A smoother transition from school to the work environment. Rather than being dropped abruptly into a new role, you’ll have mentors and guidance available throughout your NRP, and you’ll develop relationships that you’ll take with you into your career.
Future opportunities. Your NRP experience may expose you to specialty units like cardiac care, neurosurgery, intensive care, or oncology, making you a more desirable candidate for these units in the future.
Increased job satisfaction. Nurses who complete an NRP are often more satisfied in their career and build long-lasting relationships with others in their cohort.
Hands-on experience. NRP participants develop enhanced problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and clinical knowledge by working under the direct guidance of experienced nurses.
Cons of a nursing residency
There are some drawbacks associated with NRPs that you’ll also want to consider:
Competitive admission. Because these are highly desirable programs, the number of applicants often exceeds the available program slots. This can make it hard to get into an NRP in the first place.
Contractual obligations afterward. In exchange for your training, you’ll likely sign a contract committing to work for the facility where you complete your NRP for a set amount of time, usually between 1 and 3 years. This can prevent you from pursuing other nursing opportunities. Contracts can be broken, but it is often expensive to do so, as you might have to repay the organization for your training or pay a fine. And you generally won’t be eligible for rehire within that organization.
Strict schedules. Your schedule might not be very flexible during the NRP. You’ll work the same shifts as your preceptor, so your schedule will revolve around theirs. You might have to rotate shifts or work weekends or holidays.
Lower pay during the NRP. On average, nurse residents make about $10,000 per year less than other first-year nurses.
You’ll still be in class. After graduating from nursing school, you might not want to sit in a classroom again. In an NRP, however, lectures and other educational programs will be mandatory.
Is a nurse residency program right for you?
Overall, new grads who complete an NRP often go on to become highly competent nurses. They make fewer errors, report higher job satisfaction, lower levels of stress, and are less likely to leave the profession than other new grads.
If you are a new nurse and want to build your confidence and skill set, an NRP may be a great way to do that. When considering an NRP, here are some things you’ll want to look for:
A combination of classroom and clinical experiences. Your NRP should provide classroom learning, with case studies and group discussions, while also giving you the opportunity to apply the concepts you’ve learned in a clinical setting.
Accreditation. For an NRP to be accredited, it has to adhere to a set of standards designed to ensure the quality of the program. NRPs can be accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Defined outcomes and competencies. You should be able to clearly understand the requirements of the NRP and the skills and knowledge you should expect to have by the time you complete the program.
Evidence-based practice. The curriculum of the NRP should be based on research-supported practices.
Program length. Look for a program that lasts at least 6 months. It takes this long to advance from being a novice nurse to a higher level.
Organizational support. NRPs that are valued by nursing leadership, managers, and staff nurses in the facility will provide a supportive environment for learning and development.
Quality preceptors. Preceptors should be engaged and exhibit great leadership and communication skills.
The bottom line
NRPs are a great way for new graduates to smooth their transition into a nursing career. Nurses who complete NRPs often feel more prepared and confident in their skills and find that the relationships they build during the program help them in their future practice. While there are some drawbacks to consider, it's worth looking into an NRP if one is available to you after graduation.
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