Nurse Residency Summer 2027- Neonatal ICU Track

Christiana Care Health System; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Employee assistance program

Job summary

ChristianaCare invites eligible nursing graduates to join the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse Residency Program in Delaware. The 26-week program blends classroom learning, simulation, and preceptor-guided clinical experiences in a Level III NICU.

It culminates with licensure, and a two-year employment commitment with a potential $10,000 repayment if unmet. Starting July 19, 2027, successful candidates will enter a structured residency designed to develop neonatal critical care skills,

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program before June 2027 (BSN preferred).
• Hold or obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Have less than 12 months of RN experience by the program start date.
• Hold a Delaware RN license or Compact State RN license before the start date.
• Be willing and able to work all shifts: Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends, Holidays.

Skills

BLS Certification

Delaware RN license

Ability to work all shifts

Education

BSN preferred

Graduate from accredited nursing program

Job description

Job Details

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse Residency Program

Summer 2027 Cohort | ChristianaCare

Application Deadline: December 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Are you a senior nursing student, recent nursing graduate, or new RN looking to begin your career in neonatal critical care? ChristianaCare is now accepting applications for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse Residency Program, starting July 19, 2027.

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, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in nursing education and professional development.

Why Choose a Nurse Residency Program?

Research shows that nurses who complete a structured, accredited residency program experience:

• Increased clinical competency
• Reduced medical errors
• Lower self-reported stress
• Higher job satisfaction

At ChristianaCare, we are dedicated to supporting nurses with less than one year of experience through a specialty-focused residency pathway that promotes professional growth, confidence, and clinical excellence.

Program Overview

The NICU Nurse Residency Program is a comprehensive 26-week program that combines classroom learning, simulation-based training, and preceptor-led clinical experiences within our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Located in ChristianaCare's state-of-the-art Women & Children's Building, the NICU features:

• Private patient rooms with rooming-in capabilities for families
• Innovative Couplet Care rooms that allow mothers to remain close to their babies
• An expanded nursing model that includes care for postpartum mothers through ChristianaCare's pioneering Couplet Care Program

Following the initial residency experience, participants continue their professional development through residency sessions during months 8, 10, and 12.

This program is designed for graduate nurses who are passionate about neonatal critical care and possess strong critical thinking abilities, curiosity, and a commitment to learning.

Residency Curriculum

Participants will benefit from:

• Classroom and simulation-based education
• Peer support and mentorship
• Preceptor-guided clinical experiences
• Evidence-based practice training
• Critical thinking development
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Professional Development
• Quality and patient safety education

Employment Commitment

Prior to the program start date, participants must:

• Successfully pass the NCLEX
• Obtain Delaware RN licensure or Compact State RN licensure

Upon hire, nurse residents will sign a commitment agreement requiring:

• Two years of employment with ChristianaCare
• A minimum of 15 months on the original unit of hire

Individuals who do not fulfill this commitment may be subject up to a $10,000 repayment obligation.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program before June 2027 (BSN preferred)
• Hold or obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Have less than 12 months of RN experience by the program start date
• Hold a Delaware RN license or Compact State RN license before the start date
• Be willing and able to work all shifts, including:
  • Days
  • Evenings
  • Nights
  • Weekends
  • Holidays

What to Expect After Applying and Timeline

Qualified candidates will receive communication from the Talent Acquisition Team regarding required next steps, including:

• Hey Milo Audio Questions
• SkillSurvey clinical reference submission

December 17, 2026 - Application deadline

January 2027 - Eligible candidates (Candidates who have provided all required documents and completed all additional assessments) will be forwarded to the residency coordinators for review

February 2027 - Digital live interviews begin

Late February 2027 - Offers extended to selected candidates

July 19. 2027 - Neonatal ICU Nurse Residency Program start date

Important Delaware Licensure Information

The Delaware RN licensure process may take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. Delays in obtaining licensure may affect your ability to begin employment as scheduled if an offer is extended.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin fingerprinting and background check requirements immediately after submitting their application and to review licensure requirements through the Delaware Board of Nursing or their Compact State licensing board.

Questions?

For application assistance or program-related questions, please contact:

[e-mail]

Compensation

This is a flat rate position, any individual hired into this position will be paid $39.38/hr plus any applicable differentials. This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare's good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

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.

Benefits

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/