RN residency programs provide intensive training within a hospital environment. These programs are designed for experienced nurses seeking training in a new specialty, or newly graduated RNs with less than one-year of experience.
Residency programs for registered nurses are located in hospitals throughout the United States. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing offers a current list of all registered nurse residency programs (see Resources).
An RN residency program typically consists of classroom instruction, simulation labs and clinical practice. Registered nurses enrolled in this type of training will receive one-on-one coaching from a licensed physician or RN regarding their strengths and weaknesses.
RN residency programs often allow nurses to select a training specialty to enhance their nursing abilities. Some of the most common specialties found within an RN residency program include oncology, cardiac nursing, women's nursing, pediatric nursing and critical care nursing.