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Nurse Residency Program
The ANCC Nationally Accredited with Distinction Stanford Health Care Nurse Residency Program, as a Vizient recognized program, started in 2006 and has since grown into a meaningful and impactful foundation for newly graduated nurses transitioning into professional clinical practice.

Our program features the following structure:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As a transition to practice program, the goal of the Stanford Health Care Nurse Residency Program is to support the successful transition of newly graduated registered nurses into clinical practice. Our program is thoughtfully designed for highly motivated, determined and dedicated new graduate nurses. The program aspires to develop competent, compassionate, and committed clinical nurses who make a positive impact in the lives of our patients.

  • Immersive Clinical Training: 350+ hours of direct clinical orientation with a trained preceptor utilizing a structured precepting model
  • Application Based Learning: Monthly seminars that foster group learning facilitated by content experts focusing on- Leadership, Quality Outcomes, and Professional Role
  • Evidence-Based Practice Project: With the guidance of a Clinical Nurse Specialist coach, nurse residents identify a clinical problem, conduct a literature search, complete a critical appraisal of the literature, and offer recommendations for practice.
  • Support Structure: Group mentorship, peer support activities and individualized check-in sessions support the successful transition to practice for newly graduated nurses.

Specialties Offered 

Our program hires nurse residents into a variety specialty areas. Participation is dependent on organizational need and subject to change. Below are the areas that participate in the nurse residency program:
Critical Care Trauma/General Surgery
Cardiovascular
Cardiac Medicine 
Medical Oncology
Neurology 
Inpatient Medicine Units
General Medicine
Observation
Neurology
Advanced Lung Disease
Cardiology/Pulmonary
Inpatient Surgical Units 
Neurosurgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Gynecological Surgery
Ear Nose & Throat/Plastics - Reconstructive Surgery
Trauma Surgery
​​​​​​​Hepatobiliary Surgery
General Surgery
Transplant Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Colorectal Surgery
Urological Surgery 
Cardiac Surgery
Inpatient Oncology  Bone Marrow Transplant 
CAR-T
Hematology
General Oncology
Additional Specialties 
Adult Emergency Department
Pediatric Emergency Department
Operating Room
Clinical Trials 
Adult Psychiatry
Float Pool 

Recruitment Process

Program Qualifications
    • Must be a graduate of an accredited ASN/ADN, BSN or MSN program.
      • Accredited online programs included.
    • Must have graduated from an accredited nursing program within 18 months from cohort start date. September 1, 2024 to present. 
      • Must not exceed 6 months full-time hours of paid RN work experience (equivalent 1040 hours)
    • 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
    • Must hold current Registered Nurse licensure  – issued by the State of California, by the following dates: January 12, 2026. This is a hard date. No exceptions will be made. You will need to provide a CA RN Licensure number, not just proof showing you passed your NCLEX.

    Additional information
    • Interim permits are not accepted - interim is not the same as a temporary CA RN license. 
    • Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
    Critical Dates
      Cohort 44
      Applications Open: October 20, 2025 - October 26, 2025
      Application Screening: October 27, 2025 - January 2, 2026
      Panel Interview Invites Sent: Mid January 
      Panel and Unit Level Interviews: January 26, 2026 - February 6, 2026
      Offers Sent: Week of February 9th
      Cohort 44 Starts: March 16, 2026 

      Cohort 45 Dates - Coming Soon 
      ​​​​​​Application Components
        • Cover Letter
        • Current Resume 
        • School of Nursing Transcripts (official or unofficial)
        • Complete application questions - please answer the following questions within the electronic application (this is not a separate attachement):
          • Tell us about a time during your clinical rotation when you experienced a caring moment with a patient. How did this moment impact the patient’s outcome? How has this experience changed your nursing practice?
          • Tell us about time you had an error in judgement (can be personally, professionally, academically etc.). What did you learn? How has this experience shaped you into the nursing professional you are today?
          • Tell us about a time you made a positive contribution to a community through service activities (outside of your clinical rotations). What lessons did you learn from this experience? How has this experience influenced your approach to nursing care.
        Frequently Asked Questions Who do I address the cover letter to?
        Can I interview with more than one specialty?
        Is your program tied to Stanford Children's?
        ​​​​​​​Get these answered and more. 
        Learn more

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        Application Webinar  Learn more about our program, the application process and hear from current residents about their experience from the application process to now as a clinical nurse in the program. 
        Watch Now
        Contact Us
        For more information, please e-mail:
        NewGradRN@stanfordhealthcare.org