The CCTP program began in the early 2000s as an internal training initiative designed to help employees advance into the Critical Care Region. Over the years, it has evolved into a robust, impactful program that now welcomes nurses from outside Stanford Health Care, providing a strong foundation for those transitioning into critical care.
Our program features the following structure:
As a transition to practice program, the goal of the Stanford Health Care Critical Care Training Program is to support the successful transition of new to Critical Care registered nurses into clinical practice with in our 6 specialty ICUs and the Critical Care Float Pool. Our program is thoughtfully designed for highly motivated, determined and dedicated acute care nurses. The program aspires to develop competent, compassionate, and committed clinical nurses who make a positive impact in the lives of our patients.
Support Structure: Group mentorship, peer support activities and individualized check-in sessions support the successful transition to practice for new to ICU nurses.
Workshops: Throughout the program, these workshops focus on Emotional Intelligence, Resiliency, Critical Thinking, and Therapeutic Communication
Application Based Learning: Monthly seminars that foster group learning facilitated by content experts focusing on- Bridging the Knowledge Gap from acute care to critical care, Leadership, Quality Outcomes, and Professional Role
Immersive Clinical Training: 280+ hours of direct clinical orientation with a trained preceptor utilizing a structured precepting model
ICU Specialties Offered
Our program hires nurses into a variety specialty areas. Participation is dependent on organizational need and subject to change. Below are the areas that participate in the Critical Care Transition to Practice (CCTP) program:
Critical Care Float Pool
Medical/Oncology ICU
Cardiovascular Surgery (CVICU)
Trauma/Surgical Transplant ICU
Medical ICU
Neuro ICU
Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)/Cardiovascular Surgery (CVICU)
Recruitment Process
Program Qualifications
Must be a graduate of an accredited ASN/ADN, BSN or MSN program.
Accredited online programs included.
Must hold current Basic Life Support Certification - issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) at time of hire
Must hold current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification - issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) at time of hire
California RN License
Experience:
2 years, within the last 3 years, of Acute Care or Emergency Department RN experience preferred. This is a program for those with NO critical care/ICU experience.
Critical Dates
Cohort 22 Applications Open: November 5, 2025 - November 16, 2025 Application Screening: November 5, 2025 - January 2, 2026 Panel Interview Invites Sent: Week of January 5th Panel and Unit Level Interviews: Week of January 26th Offers Sent: Week of January 26th Cohort Starts: March 16, 2026
Application Components
Cover Letter
Resume
Work Experience: Must provide job title, responsiblities and time frame for employment
Online Application - will include three essay questions about clinical experience.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWho do I address the cover letter to? Can I interview with more than one specialty? What should I include on my resume? Get these answered and more.
The CCTP Program prepared me for a career in the Critical Care setting by providing me with 10weeks of preceptorship with preceptors who provided excellent learning opportunities by advocating for interesting patient assignments and pushing me to become a more competent and organized nurse. Additionally, CCTP provided theory classes that supplemented my learning and helped integrate what I was doing at the bedside into the classroom.
CCTP gave me insight into additional leadership roles that are available on my unit and within the region. I feel like the best part of the program was my preceptorship! I was lucky to have preceptors who cared about my growth and were good at training a nurse transitioning into the ICU.
My “WHY” … I wanted to work in critical care because I wanted to work in a setting where my work would make more of a direct impact to the patients who needed it the most and because I wanted to further grow my nursing skillset. My biggest takeaway from the program is that CCTP provides an excellent opportunity for nurses who want to continue growing their nursing skillsetKevin VCCTP Graduate 2022
I definitely feel like I have improved greatly in terms of clinical proficiency building knowledge and skills to effectively perform careful decision making and practice towards patient care. Jamie ECCTP Graduate 2023
The camaraderie it brought knowing that I'm not alone embarking on this new journey in my career and hearing other people feel the same way I do/did in regards to feeling stuck and imposter syndrome was the best valueRomi U.CCTP Graduate 2023
