RN Residency Program

The Lurie Children’s RN Residency Program is an innovative transitioning approach to prepare nurses for a rewarding career in the care of children and families.

Built on the belief that a nurturing learning environment facilitates a sense of belonging and acceptance, this program provides an individualized precepted orientation, guided classroom learning, peer support sessions, clinical exchange opportunities and mentors in evidence-based practice to support nursing excellence. The program invests in Lurie Children’s commitment to create a culture of inclusion and promise to provide employees with resources for professional development.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago RN 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.

Five Components of the RN Residency Program

  1. Individualized precepted orientation. The nursing preceptor assists RN residents in learning clinical skills and developing team relationships. The preceptor guides the RN resident in learning nursing responsibilities and becoming a member of the healthcare team.
  2. Pediatric Nursing Classes. RN residents attend integrated clinical classes throughout the first 18 months of employment. Classes focus on specialty pediatric nursing assessment, skills and knowledge. Learning techniques include lecture, discussion, skills practice and patient simulation scenarios. Emergency management skills are developed through pediatric advanced life support and/or neonatal resuscitation classes.
  3. Transition Sessions. The Transition Group discussions offer the RN resident a safe, confidential environment in which experiences are shared. By connecting with peers, the RN resident will learn coping skills in adjusting to a new profession.
  4. Clinical exchange opportunities. The clinical exchange opportunities support the RN resident's development of a holistic approach to pediatric nursing care. This will be accomplished by rotating to multiple patient care areas specific to their patient population, enabling the RN resident to learn the patient experience first hand and build working relationships throughout Lurie Children's.
  5. Evidence-based practice mentorship. Through the completion of an evidence-based practice project with the guidance of a mentor, the RN resident will have the opportunity to explore nursing practice at Lurie Children’s. The mentor shares expertise and helps to develop the RN resident as a professional nurse.

Applying & Timeline

What are the minimum requirements to apply?

  • Associate in Nursing or higher by indicated graduation date. Associate hires must commit to enroll in a BSN program within two (2) years of hire date.
  • Tuition Assistance is available after six (6) months of employment. We do not offer student loan/tuition reimbursement at this time.

When does the program begin?

  • See below timeline for specific cohort start dates.
  • You must meet the graduation date listed on the timeline for consideration, there are not exceptions.

How do I apply?

  • Current Lurie employees submit an application through Workday
  • External applicants apply via our website for the current Graduate Nurse posting
  • Do not apply for individual unit openings, consideration for RN’s with less than one year RN experience will only be through the Graduate Nurse posting.
  • Due to high volumes we strongly recommend applying early for consideration.  Once closed, the position will not reopen until the next cohort date as listed on the timeline.

Timeline:

START DATE Application Available Graduation Date NCLEX Test Deadline
  Application will close on the last day at 9 a.m. Candidates must have graduated by the dates below NCLEX must be passed 6 weeks prior to start date
January 29, 2024 7/10/23 - 7/24/23 10/27/23 12/15/23
March 25, 2024 10/2/23 - 10/23/23 12/29/23 2/9/24
August 26, 2024 2/19/24 at 9 a.m. - 3/11/24 5/31/24 7/12/24
October 21, 2024 2/19/24 at 9 a.m. - 3/11/24 8/23/24 9/6/24

 

Additional Program Information

How do I apply for my IL RN license?

  • Contact the Illinois Board of Nursing for licensing process, timelines, and questions.

Which units are hiring?

  • You will receive a form listing all units currently considering new graduates.  You will be asked to rank each unit.  Please give thoughtful consideration when selecting your units.
  • You can view summaries of each unit via the descriptions in the new graduate posting.

How are interviews conducted?

  • Interviews can be virtual, onsite or a combination of both.  You may have 1:1 and/or panel interviews with staff from the unit.

When will I be contacted for an interview?

  • Please refer to the timeline for the interview period in relation to your targeted start date.  Interviews will only take place during this timeframe.
  • You may be contacted via phone or email to schedule an interview, please be proactive in watching for this communication.

What if I don’t receive an interview?

  • Due to high volumes, we cannot guarantee all applicants will receive an interview.  If you are not selected, we encourage you to apply for future new graduate cohorts or experienced positions once you have 1 full year of RN experience.

How many hours/week are new graduate positions?

  • New grad positions are full time, 36-40 hours/week. Nurse residents will also be balancing unit orientation as well as the nurse residency program.

What will my schedule be?

  • With few exceptions, most graduate nurse positions will be night shift. Offered schedule will be based upon the needs of the unit.

How long is the nurse residency?

  • The Nurse Residency program is 18 months. This runs concurrent with your unit orientation which varies in length depending on the unit:
    • Acute Care 14 weeks
    • Resource Team 18 weeks
    • Critical Care/ED 20 weeks
    • Vascular Access Team 10 weeks
    • Operating Room 33 weeks

RISE program

RISE is a peer support service for any employee who encounters a stressful, patient-related event. Support from RISE is available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Our mission is to provide timely, confidential, peer-driven support to Lurie Children’s team members who encounter stressful events in the course of service.

Building Resiliency Workshops

Nurses are at risk for experiencing compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and burnout. As a way to engage in preventative self-care, Lurie Children's offers resiliency building workshops. These workshops focus on the correlation between provider well-being and high quality, safe patient care. 

Lurie Children's nurses may select from a variety of professional development opportunities to build a career in pediatric nursing. Browse our Nursing Professional Development Opportunities to learn more.