Residency Program
Residency programs are instrumental in helping new graduate nurses transition to practice by providing comprehensive and structured support.
Cleveland Clinic’s Nurse Residency Program is proud to be accredited as a Practice Transition Program (PTAP) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
Each nurse resident receives an individualized experience to grow and develop through this one-year, competency, and simulation-based program. Cleveland Clinic offers 9 tracks tailored to specific care areas, ensuring education matches clinical experiences. For example, nurses hired to critical care participate in contextual learning experiences that are based in a critical care environment. Beyond online modules, the program features in-person and hands-on training from expert nursing professional development specialists, so nurse residents have a safe environment to build both confidence and competence.
All new graduate nurses, or those with less than one year of experience, are automatically enrolled in the program. Rolling admissions ensure that the program can accommodate nurse residents whenever they are ready to start, providing flexibility and timely support.
Nurse residents are guided through their orientation on the unit with the support of a preceptor. This hands-on experience involves working closely with an experienced nurse to learn the role and how to care for the unit's unique patient population. Clear competency standards provide a step-by-step guide to developing critical thinking, technical skills, and clinical judgment, ensuring readiness for independent practice.
Recognizing that every nurse is unique, the duration of orientation is tailored to each nurse's individual needs. This personalized approach ensures that each nurse receives the appropriate level of support and training to confidently and competently perform their duties.
Nursing professional development specialist success coaches support each nurse's holistic development, fostering clinical competency, confidence, and overall well-being. They provide personalized coaching, guidance, and tools based on each nurse's needs. Recognizing that nursing is an experiential profession, success coaches support ongoing learning and development throughout the Nurse Resident’s entire first year, which is crucial for helping new nurses grow and excel in their careers.
Narrative Survey Responses from Nurse Residents, March 2024
I feel like mentors and success coaches apart of the residency program have gone above and beyond to make me feel comfortable as a new nurse. My success coach has gone out of her way to check on me on multiple different occasions and send me resources as a new grad nurse. I have felt more supported by my success coach in the residency program than by my own managers on the unit. I am beyond thankful for the support of my residency program.
I loved having the opportunity to participate in this residency program as a new grad. It truly helped me feel better prepared to handle my new position as an RN! This program definitely helped boost my confidence in my skills.
Cleveland Clinic’s nurse residency program has greatly supported my transition into the RN role from the student position. The classes are both beneficial and provided in a supportive environment to optimize learning, and the patient population challenges me to put everything I learn into practice. I have felt very supported by the staff at the Cleveland Clinic, and have overall been highly satisfied.
This residency truly became my safe space to learn and ask questions as well as build confidence in my nursing career.
