Nurse Residency Program: Progressive Care Track Fall 2026

Christiana Care Health System; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance from day one

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Shift differentials

Parental leave

Job summary

ChristianaCare offers a Nurse Residency Program: ProgressiveCare Track for new graduates with less than 12 months of nursing experience. The program includes preceptor-led clinical experiences on intermediate/transition units at Newark or Wilmington campuses, licensing steps, and a two-year commitment with a 15-month unit-hire requirement.

Upon completion, nurses bridge care for medically complex patients outside the ICU, with opportunities for growth through a clinical ladder and a

Qualifications

• Graduating from accredited nursing school (BSN Preferred).
• BLS required.
• Less than 12 months of nursing experience by the start of the program.
• Eligible for Delaware license as a Graduate Nurse/Registered Nurse or RN license from a compact state.
• Must be willing and able to work all shifts (day, evening, and overnight), including weekends and holidays, during and after the residency program, based on unit staffing and operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Complete preceptor-led training on intermediate or transitional units.
• Attend residency meetings in months 6, 8, 10, and 12 to develop as a professional nurse.

Skills

BLS

Flexibility

Education

BSN preferred

Graduating from accredited nursing school

Job description

Nurse Residency Program: ProgressiveCare Track!

This is a rolling application available for all start dates.

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.

What it offers

Research demonstrates that new to practice nurses completing a structured and accredited residency program leads to:

• Increase in competency
• Reduction of error
• Reduced self-reported stress
• Increase in job satisfaction

Therefore, we are committed to supporting all registered nurses with under one year of experience through a nurse residency specialty track.

This exciting curriculum integrates:

• Lecture and simulation education
• Peer support
• Up to 16 weeks (as determined by your individual transition to practice needs) of preceptor-led clinical experiences structured to foster critical thinking, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, effective communication, quality and safety, and professional development.

The progressive care nurse resident will complete preceptor-led training on our intermediate or transitional level step‑down units at our Newark or Wilmington campuses. The nurse resident completes preceptor-led training followed by continued residency meetings during months 6, 8, 10, and 12 to further develop as professional nurses and integral member of our caregiver team.

Upon completion of this program, participants will have built a strong foundation for nursing practice in a fast‑paced, challenging environment, bridging care for medically complex patients outside of the Intensive Care Unit.

Nurse residents are required to pass State Boards and be licensed as an RN in the State of Delaware (or compact state) prior to starting position. Upon hire, a commitment agreement to work at the ChristianaCare will be signed. The agreement requires completion of a two years with the requirement to remain on the unit of hire for a minimum of 15 months. Individuals unable to fill this commitment will be charged $10,000.

Benefits

• We are a 4xrecognized Magnet Status Hospital!
• Growth Opportunities defined by our Clinical Ladder.
• We offer a robust benefits package. Our healthcare benefits include medical, dental & eyecare, starting day one! Enjoy generous paid time off, paid parental leave, competitive pay with shift differentials, tuition reimbursement. Additional benefits include, dependent care assistance, pet insurance, financial coaching, fitness & wellness reimbursements and discounts on multiple services and events.
• Advance Your Nursing Skills by providing a higher level of care.

Units available at this time (subject to change dependent upon the needs of the hospital)

Newark:

• 5E: Heart Failure (December Dates Only)
• 3C: Intermediate Medical Unit

Requirements

• Graduating from accredited nursing school (BSN Preferred)
• BLS required
• Less than 12 months of nursing experience by the start of the program
• Eligible for Delaware license as a Graduate Nurse/Registered Nurse or RN license from a compact state
• Must be willing and able to work all shifts (day, evening, and overnight), including weekends and holidays, during and after the residency program, based on unit staffing and operational needs.

Additional Information

We are conducting in‑ person interviews every Wednesday and Thursday so be sure to complete the required steps to be seen by a hiring manager.

What to Expect After Applying

• You will be contacted by the Talent Acquisition team regarding next steps, which may include:
  • A HeyMilo video interview (required even if you have previously completed a HireVue interview).
  • Clinical reference requests through SkillSurvey. Current ChristianaCare caregivers should monitor their work email inbox for the SkillSurvey invitation.
  • Please check your junk, spam, and trash folders regularly, as these emails can occasionally be filtered there.

Assessments and Specialty Preferences

• After completing the HeyMilo and Skill Survey assessments, you will receive a form to rank your preferred specialties and/or units.

Interview Scheduling

• If the unit leadership is interested in moving forward, you will receive a scheduling link to arrange an interview.

Interview Timeline

• Interviews are held every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the month.

In summary: Complete the required assessments, rank your preferred units, await leadership review, interview if selected, and if offered, a decision is needed within 24 hours of the offer.

Currently Hiring for Fall 2026 Start Dates

• October 26th
• November 9th
• November 23rd
• December 7th
• December 14th (not available for Internal Caregivers)
• January 4th, 2027

Contact

If you have any issues with your application or any inquiries, please contact Cathleen Mengel, the Nurse Residency recruiter at [e-mail].

Licensing Note

It is important to note that the DE license process may take 6-8 weeks to complete and the failure to do so will directly impact employees' ability to start a position if an offer is made. We strongly encourage applicants to visit the DE Board of Nursing website and begin the fingerprinting and background check process immediately after you submit your application.

Compensation

This is a flat rate position, any individual hired into this position will be paid $39.38/hr plus any applicable differentials.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants 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.

Posting End Date

Nov 16, 2026

Benefits Details

ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program. To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/