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Critical Care Nurse Residency Program Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Buckeye Nurse Residency Program Department: The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Health System ... critical thinking skills related to clinical practice and safe patient care. The program is ...

Buckeye Nurse Residency Program Department: The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Health System ... critical thinking skills related to clinical practice and safe patient care. The program is ...

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Critical Care Nurse Residency Program information

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$56K

$94.6K

$149.5K

How much do critical care nurse residency program jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for critical care nurse residency program in the United States is $94,610.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $101,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Critical Care Nurse Residency Program vs Critical Care Nurse?

AspectCritical Care Nurse Residency ProgramCritical Care Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN) license, possibly CCRN certificationRN license, CCRN certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentStructured training in ICU settings, mentorship programsDirect patient care in ICU or critical care units
PurposeTransition from new graduate to competent critical care nurseProvide specialized critical care services

The Critical Care Nurse Residency Program is a structured training and onboarding process designed to help new nurses develop critical care skills, whereas a Critical Care Nurse is a licensed professional providing direct patient care in critical settings. The residency program prepares nurses for the demands of critical care, making it ideal for those new to the specialty.

What is a critical care nurse residency program?

A Critical Care Nurse Residency Program is a structured training program designed for newly graduated nurses or nurses transitioning to critical care environments, such as intensive care units (ICUs). The program combines classroom instruction, simulation, and supervised clinical experience to help nurses develop the specialized skills needed to care for critically ill patients. Participants gain knowledge in advanced patient assessment, use of life-support equipment, and management of complex health conditions. The residency typically lasts several months and provides mentorship, peer support, and ongoing evaluation to ensure a successful transition into critical care nursing.

What can new graduates expect from the critical care nurse residency program in terms of mentorship and support during the transition to critical care nursing?

New graduates entering a Critical Care Nurse Residency Program can expect robust mentorship and structured support as they transition into the fast-paced environment of critical care. Typically, participants are paired with experienced preceptors who provide guidance, answer questions, and facilitate hands-on learning at the bedside. The program often includes classroom instruction, simulation labs, and regular feedback sessions to ensure residents gain confidence and competence. This supportive environment helps bridge the gap between academic preparation and the demands of critical care, fostering professional growth and reducing transition-related stress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a critical care nurse residency program, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Critical Care Nurse Residency Program, you need a solid background in nursing fundamentals, a BSN or ADN degree, and an active RN license. Familiarity with critical care equipment, electronic medical records (EMRs), and advanced life support certifications such as ACLS and BLS are typically required. Strong critical thinking, resilience, and effective teamwork and communication skills help residents adapt to the demands of critical care environments. These skills and qualifications are vital for delivering safe, high-quality care to critically ill patients while learning and growing in a complex clinical setting.
More about Critical Care Nurse Residency Program jobs
What cities are hiring for Critical Care Nurse Residency Program jobs? Cities with the most Critical Care Nurse Residency Program job openings:
What states have the most Critical Care Nurse Residency Program jobs? States with the most job openings for Critical Care Nurse Residency Program jobs include:
Infographic showing various Critical Care Nurse Residency Program job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,610 per year, or $45.5 per hour.

Nurse Residency Spring 2027: Critical Care Pathway

Christiana Care

Newark, DE • On-site

$72K - $99K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


ChristianaCare rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 128 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

132nd of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Job Details
Students graduating December 2026 or sooner- Join us on June 1, 2026 at our Newark Campus for a Nurse Residency Open House. Nurse Residency Open House- June 1, 2026 - Fill out form to register and for more information.
Application will be open until 11:59pm August 16th
Calling all Senior Nursing Students, Nurse Graduates and new RN's, it is time to apply for our Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Track starting Spring 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.
Research validates that new to practice nurses completing a structured and accredited residency program leads to:
  • increase in competency
  • reduction of error
  • reduced self-reported stress
  • increased job satisfaction
Therefore, we are committed to supporting all registered nurses with under one year of experience through a nurse residency specialty track.
This exciting curriculum integrates:
  • Lecture and simulation education
  • Peer support
  • Preceptor-led clinical experiences structured to foster critical thinking, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, effective communication, quality and safety, and professional development.
The critical care pathway nurse resident will first complete 5-6 weeks of intensive preceptor-led training on a stepdown unit, with mentorship from the critical care nurse residency coordinator, to improve and demonstrate clinical excellence in time management, prioritization, and critical thinking. Following stepdown training, residents will then complete up to 18 weeks of clinical training in their ICU of hire. Candidates new to the organization or internal and seeking employment in a different unit will complete a secondary interview with the ICU management teams to determine unit of hire during their last week of stepdown training. Shadow experiences within the hiring critical care units at our Newark, Wilmington, and/or Cecil campuses will be provided for these candidates prior to date of interview.
Participating units may include:
  • Surgical ICU (Shock/Trauma),
  • Neuro ICU
  • Medical ICU
  • Cardiovascular ICU
  • Wilmington campus ICU (Medical/Surgical combination)
The critical care pathway nurse resident completes up to 26 total weeks of preceptor-led training followed by continued residency seminars up through their first year of practice to further develop as professional nurses and integral members of our caregiver team.
Nurse residents are required to pass State Boards and be licensed as a RN in the State of Delaware (or compact state) prior to starting the position. Upon hire, a commitment agreement to work at the ChristianaCare will be signed. The agreement requires completion of two years within ChristianaCare and 15 months of those two years on the unit of hire. Individuals unable to fill this commitment will be charged $10,000.
Requirements:
  • Graduating from accredited nursing school before March 2027 (BSN Preferred)
  • BLS required
  • Less than 12 months of nursing experience by the start of the program
  • Eligible for Delaware license as a Graduate Nurse/Registered Nurse
  • Working, clinical, or shadow experience in Critical Care is preferred
How to apply:
  • In the section "My Experience," on the application, be sure to upload your cover letter and transcripts in the section "Resume/CV/Other Documents." PDF format works best.
  • Submit a cover letter for the Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Track expressing your interest in this specific program/specialty.
  • Please address your cover letter to Tara Miles.
  • Resume
  • Transcript (unofficial)
  • Two clinical recommendations will be required, but not at the time of the application. If it is determined the minimum qualifications are met, a separate email will be sent from Skill Survey (an outside vendor) for you to provide us with your clinical instructors' information.
What to Expect After Application and Timeline:
  • Communication from Talent Acquisition Team about specific next steps including: video interview and clinical references completed through third party vendors Hey Milo and SkillSurvey (respectively).
  • Applications to be sent for review by residency coordinators on August 25th. The required tasks (SkillSurvey and Hey Milo) must be completed BEFORE August 25th in order to be considered.
  • Digital real-time and/or In-Person interviews will begin end of September and run until mid-October.
  • Nurse Residency Positions start mid-March 2027

If you have any issues with your application or any inquiries, please contact beanurse@christianacare.org
It is important to note that the DE licensure process may take 6-8 weeks to complete and the failure to do so will directly impact employees' ability to start a position if an offer is made. We strongly encourage applicants to visit the DE Board of Nursing website and begin the fingerprinting and background check process immediately after you submit your application.
This is a flat rate position, any individual hired into this position will be paid $38.61/hr plus any applicable differentials.
This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare's good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.
Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Post End Date
Aug 17, 2026
EEO Posting Statement
ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program. To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/

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About ChristianaCare

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ChristianaCare is one of the country's most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, making high-quality care more accessible and lowering health care costs. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,299 beds), a free-standing emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women's health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute and was rated by IDG Computerworld as one of the nation's Best Places to Work in IT. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. It is continually ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital. With the unique CareVio data-powered care coordination service and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

Industry

Outpatient health care

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Wilmington, DE, US

Year founded

1888