Nurse Residency Summer 2027: Critical Care Pathway at ChristianaCare in Newark, DE

Job description

Job Details Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Program Summer 2027 Cohort | ChristianaCare Application Deadline: December 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM Are you a senior nursing student, recent nursing graduate, or new RN with a passion for critical care? ChristianaCare is now accepting applications for the Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Track , beginning July 19, 2027 . The ChristianaCare Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs, providing a structured and supportive transition from nursing school to professional practice. Why Choose a Nurse Residency Program? Research demonstrates that participation in a structured, accredited nurse residency program leads to: Increased clinical competency Reduced medical errors Lower self-reported stress Greater job satisfaction At ChristianaCare, we are committed to supporting nurses with less than one year of experience through specialty-focused residency programs designed to promote confidence, clinical excellence, and long-term career success. Program Overview The Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Track is designed to prepare new graduate nurses for successful careers in intensive care nursing through a structured, progressive learning experience. Residents begin with 5 to 6 weeks of intensive preceptor-led training on a stepdown unit , supported by mentorship from the Critical Care Nurse Residency Coordinator. This foundational experience focuses on developing: Clinical excellence Time management Prioritization skills Critical thinking Professional confidence Following stepdown training, residents transition into their ICU placement and complete up to 18 additional weeks of specialty critical care orientation within their unit of hire. For external candidates and internal caregivers seeking placement in a different unit, a secondary interview with ICU leadership will occur during the final week of stepdown training. Candidates will have opportunities to participate in shadow experiences within critical care units across ChristianaCare's Newark, Wilmington, and Cecil campuses before the interview process. The residency includes up to 26 weeks of preceptor-led clinical training , followed by ongoing residency seminars throughout the first year of practice. Participating Critical Care Units Potential ICU placements include: Surgical ICU (Shock/Trauma) Neuro ICU Medical ICU Cardiovascular ICU Wilmington Campus ICU (Medical/Surgical Intensive Care) Unit placement is determined through the residency selection and interview process. Residency Curriculum The program combines: Classroom instruction High-fidelity simulation training Peer support and mentoring Preceptor-guided clinical experiences Evidence-based practice Critical thinking development Interdisciplinary collaboration Communication and leadership training Quality and patient safety education Professional development opportunities Employment Commitment Prior to the program start date, participants must: Successfully pass the NCLEX Obtain Delaware RN licensure or Compact State RN licensure Upon hire, residents will sign a commitment agreement requiring: Two years of employment with ChristianaCare A minimum of 15 months on the original unit of hire Individuals who do not fulfill this commitment may be subject up to a $10,000 repayment obligation . Minimum Qualifications Applicants must: Graduate from an accredited nursing program before June 2027 (BSN preferred) Hold or obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification Have less than 12 months of RN experience by the program start date Hold a Delaware RN license or Compact State RN license before the start date Be willing and able to work all shifts, including: Days Evenings Nights Weekends Holidays Preferred Qualifications: Previous work experience in a healthcare setting Critical care clinical rotations Shadowing or observational exp