Nursing Residency Program

John Muir Health is dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve with quality and compassion. Our goal is to attract and retain quality nurses through professional growth opportunities, allowing us to continue to deliver excellent health care.

John Muir Health offers the twelve month Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program.  This transition to practice program includes an evidence-based curriculum and final project, as well as interactive exercises. It is designed to support the successful transition from student to registered nurse. The program also improves decision-making skills, enhances clinical nursing leadership practices and promotes the incorporation of research-based evidence into practice.

Nurse Residency Program FAQ's

Why John Muir Health Nursing?

At John Muir Health, we believe in fostering an environment where nurses can be passionate about the work they do. To help nurses start their career and grow personally and professionally, we offer a comprehensive, evidence-based Nurse Residency Program (NRP) located in the California Bay Area.  Let us help you to reach your full potential!  

What is Magnet Recognition?

Both John Muir Health’s Concord and Walnut Creek Medical Centers are ANCC Magnet designed medical centers.

  • Achieving Magnet status is the highest international distinction for nursing excellence.
  • Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice.
  • A validation of the culture, one which enables all levels of the organization to influence decisions that affect their practice.
  • An honor – only 8 percent of U.S. health care organizations have achieved Magnet status

Why does John Muir stand out?

When you come to work at John Muir Health, you get benefits of a working at a Magnet hospital with the support and resources to provide exemplary nursing care. However, unlike larger Magnet hospitals in the area, you won’t get lost in the crowd. JMH offers a culture that feels like family, where you know your nursing leaders by name and have the opportunity to make an impact on your unit and the organization. 

In fact, our Nurse Resident graduates have gone on to be leaders in the organization. We have nurse residents that have become charge nurses, unit council leaders, and chairs on your Nursing Excellence councils. Many are acting as Preceptors and are growing our future nurses. Whatever your future goals are, there is a pathway at JMH. 

JMH’s Nurse Residency Program boasts an amazing retention rate that is well above the national benchmark. This demonstrates that when nurses come to work at JMH, they want to stay.  

For a list of John Muir Health award and recognitions visit: https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/about-john-muir-health/awards-recognition.html  

What is John Muir Health’s Nurse Residency Program?

Newly graduated nurses hired into the NRP are supported in the role of the professional nurse through didactic seminar sessions and hands-on clinical training under the guidance and support of trained preceptors and facilitators. This program includes an evidence-based curriculum and final project, as well as interactive exercises. It is designed to improve decision-making skills, enhance clinical nursing leadership practices and promote the incorporation of research-based evidence into practice.

What units participate?

Nurse Residency positions are based on organizational need.

When are NRP Seminars?

Nurse residents participate in twelve monthly 4-hour seminars on topics including Leadership, Professional Development and Quality Improvement. Seminar dates and times are prescheduled throughout the year and coordinated with your nursing leadership.

What is an Evidence-Based Practice Project?

Nurse residents are supported through a yearlong Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Project on their unit which supports the development of critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Learning to think critically about patient care is essential to maximizing patient outcomes.

What should I expect for my scheduled patient care shifts?

Following an initial hospital orientation, nurse residents start working full-time on their unit with their designated preceptors. Shifts mirror your preceptor’s schedule which means you can be scheduled any day of the week. Most nurses are required to work every other weekend.

How many hours a week do nurse residents work?

Nurse residents work their hired FTE and may work up to 40 hours a week on weeks when there is a NRP seminar or evidence-based practice project work. Please note, the NRP is demanding and nurse residents must balance monthly seminars, evidence-based practice project work, and patient care shifts. Nurse residents may work several days in a row with only a few days off in-between their workdays.

Will I be working nights, weekends and holidays?

Most positions are for the night shift.  Each unit has weekend and holiday requirements. Rarely are day or evening NRP positions available.   

Do I get a vacation during my nurse residency?

It is expected that nurse residents attend all monthly NRP seminars and complete an evidence based practice project. It is the nurse resident’s responsibility to schedule time off around NRP obligations. You can discuss the process and timing for requesting time off with your nursing leaders once hired.

How long is it expected I remain on the unit I am hired into?

RN Residents remain working on the unit or area they are hired into for the duration of the one year NRP.

How quickly can I get a day shift position?

Changes to shift positions within your unit of hire are based on seniority and in general can take a few years to get a day shift position.