Nurse Residency Program: Medical or Surgical Track 2026 (Wilmington & Newark)

Christiana Care; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 43,881 - 62,497; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and eyecare benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Fitness & wellness reimbursements

Dependent care assistance

Job summary

Christiana Care in Newark, Delaware, invites new nurses to join their Nurse Residency Program designed for students graduating in December 2026 or sooner. This accredited program includes up to 16 weeks of preceptor-led clinical experiences fostering critical thinking and professional development.

Eligibility includes graduating from an accredited nursing school, holding a BLS certification, and complying with the Delaware RN license requirements. Participants will also benefit from a robust compensation and benefits package from day one.

Qualifications

• Graduating from an accredited registered nursing school; BSN preferred.
• Less than 12 months of nursing experience by the start of the program.
• Must hold an active RN license in Delaware (or a compact state) before starting the position.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured, accredited residency with clinical experiences.
• Attend residency meetings to further develop as a professional nurse.

Skills

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-based practice

Education

BSN preferred

Graduation from an accredited nursing school

Tools

BLS certification

Job description

Students graduating December 2026 or sooner, join us on June1,2026 at our Newark Campus for a Nurse Residency Open House. 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.

New nurses with under one year of experience will participate in a structured, accredited residency that includes lecture and simulation education, peer support, and up to 16 weeks of preceptor‑led clinical experiences designed to foster critical thinking, evidence‑based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, effective communication, quality and safety, and professional development. Residents will continue to attend residency meetings in months8,10, and12 to further develop as professional nurses and integral members of our caregiver team.

Eligibility Requirements

• Students graduating from an accredited registered nursing school; BSN preferred.
• BLS required.
• Less than 12 months of nursing experience by the start of the program.
• Eligible for a Delaware license as a Graduate Nurse/Registered Nurse or a multi‑state RN from a compact state.
• Must hold an active RN license in Delaware (or a compact state) before starting the position.
• Commit to a two‑year agreement with ChristianaCare, including 15 months on the unit of hire; non‑compliance results in a $10,000 penalty.

Program Details

The residency is available in both Medical and Surgical tracks at Newark and Wilmington campuses, serving adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations with complex diagnoses and surgical procedures.

Units Available

Medical Units

• 3A: STAR Unit
• 3C: Medical Stepdown
• 4C: Medical Stepdown
• 5A: Medical Stepdown
• 6A: Medical Adult Care of the Elderly
• 5N: Medical Telemetry (Wilmington)

Surgical Units

• 4D: Surgical
• 4B: Urology/GYN/General Surgical
• 7S: Joint Replacement Center (Wilmington)
• 4W: Medical and Surgical (Wilmington)

Compensation & Benefits

• Flat rate position: $38.61 per hour plus applicable shift differentials.
• Robust benefits package starting day one, including medical, dental, and eyecare.
• Paid time off, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and generous paid time off.
• Additional benefits: dependent care assistance, pet insurance, financial coaching, fitness & wellness reimbursements, and discounts on multiple services and events.
• Growth opportunities defined by our Clinical Ladder.

How to Apply

• Submit a cover letter for the Medical or Surgical Nurse Residency, addressing Cheryl Muffley (Medical) or Debbie Lykens (Surgical). Upload cover letter and transcripts in the “Resume/CV/Other Documents” section of the application.
• Provide a PDF cover letter and unofficial transcripts.
• Resume and two clinical recommendations are required; if qualifications are met, an outside vendor will contact you for instructor references.
• Complete at least one video interview via Hey Milo and submit two clinical instructor references through Skill Survey before your name is forwarded to residency coordinators.
• Attend in‑person interviews on Wednesdays and Thursdays; interviewees must be seen by a hiring manager.

What to Expect After Application

• Communication from the Talent Acquisition Team about next steps, including video interview and clinical references.
• Application review by residency coordinators.
• Offers are made once all scheduled interviews are completed.

Start Dates

• Summer2026: July7,July20, August3, August17, August31 (unavailable for internal promotions).
• Fall2026: October26, November9, November23, December7, January4,2027.

Legal & EEO Statement

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination. Qualified applicants are considered 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.

Contact Cathleen Mengel, Nurse Residency recruiter, at [e-mail]. The Delaware license process may take 6‑8 weeks; applicants are encouraged to complete fingerprinting and background checks promptly.