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Critical Care Transition Program
​​​​​​​The CCTP program started in the early 2000's as a homegrown training program for internal employees wanting to advance into the Critical Care Region.  The program has evolved and grown over the years into a strong, meaningful and impactful program creating a solid foundation for new to ICU nurses transitioning into the critical care region.

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 21
      Application Posted: April 14, 2025- April 21, 2025
      Application Screening: April 22, 2025 - May 23, 2025
      Interview Invites Sent: End of May/Beginning of June 
      Interviews: June 16, 2025 - June 20, 2025 
      Offers Made: June 22, 2025 - July 2, 2025
      Cohort 21 Start Date: August 18, 2025


      2026 dates will be posted in the Fall. 
      ​​​​​​Application Components
        • Cover Letter Required
        • 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 Questions Who 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. 
        Learn more

        CCTP Alumni Testiomials 

        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 skillset                 Kevin V CCTP 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 E CCTP 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 value                 Romi U. CCTP Graduate 2023
        Contact Us
        For more information, please e-mail:         CCTPNursing@stanfordhealthcare.org