Program expectations

Requirements after acceptance into Nurse Residency Program

  • Residents must pass a health assessment, drug screen and criminal background check prior to employment.
  • Permanent Wisconsin RN License (preferred) or Wisconsin Nursing Temporary Permit required before starting the Nurse Residency Program.
  • Nurse Residents are required to be BLS-certified. If your BLS certification will expire within 30 days of hire, you may register for BLS recertification through the UW Health Emergency Education Center or directly with the American Heart Association.

Requirements during the Nurse Residency Program

  • Full-time (72-80 hours per bi-weekly) employment for the first year is expected.
  • Prior to completion of the year-long Nurse Residency Program in your assigned clinical area you will not be eligible to transfer.
  • Participation in monthly to twice-monthly nurse resident classes.
  • Completion of an evidence-based practice project.
  • Additional specialty courses based upon unit.

Scheduling

  • During the orientation part of the program, Nurse Residents will work based on their preceptor(s) schedule(s). Length of orientation is dependent on the clinical practice area and nurse resident needs.
  • Hospital-based Nurse Residents usually work a Day/Evening or Day/Night schedule. You may work all shifts during orientation for exposure in preparation for the shifts you may work upon completion of orientation. You may be assigned to work 8-, 10- or 12-hour shifts.
  • Some practice areas may include on-call requirements based on the operational needs of the individual area.
  • Toward the end of your orientation, your manager will work with you to determine an RN position based on the current vacancies and the staffing needs of the clinical area. You may be moved into an RN position in the clinical area you were hired, or you may move into a position within a similar practice area.
  • Ambulatory Nurse Residents work Monday-Friday clinic hours.  Hours are based on the operational needs of the clinic and typically are between 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.