RN Residency Program - February 2027 Cohort Specialty Units

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas announces the February 2027 RN Residency Program for newly licensed RNs and BSN graduates. The 12-month program supports clinical skill development and professional growth in high-acuity units.

Specialties include Emergency, ICU, Oncology, Progressive Care, NICU, Rehab, Psych, and OR. Applicants must hold a Texas RN license, BLS certification, and submit required documents via the online application.

Qualifications

• BSN degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Texas RN license.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from AHA or ARC.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a 12-month Nurse Residency with structured experiences and competencies.
• Develop clinical skills and professional behaviors aligned with ANA standards.
• Engage in enculturation, practice-based learning, and ongoing professional development.

Education

BSN degree

GPA 3.0 or higher

Job description

The RN Residency Program requires:

• BSN and minimum 3.0 GPA
• Texas RN license
• Active American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support certification

Application deadline is September 18, 2026.

The UT Southwestern February 2027 (Cohort 22) RN Residency Program is open to BSN graduates from the May 2026, August 2026, and December 2026 graduating classes, as well as experienced BSN RNs who will have less than 12 months RN experience at start of program (February 2027). Application instructions and requirements include:

• A completed online application
• Resume showing all work experience, involvement in professional organizations, and history of volunteerism
• Transcript (most recent-unofficial is acceptable) with 3.0 GPA or higher required
• *Internal candidates must apply as an internal candidate and are asked to upload a letter of recommendation from current manager

DO NOT submit your application until you have ALL the required documents. Upload one master file which will include all required documents. Applications received without the items listed above cannot be processed.

Specialties accepting Residents:

• Emergency Department
• Adult Critical Care ICU Units
• Adult Oncology
• Adult Progressive Care Units
• NICU
• Rehab
• Psych
• Operating Room

The residency program begins February 8, 2027. Graduate Nurses are required to have their license posted on the board of nursing before close of business on February 1, 2026.

Job Description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas‑Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world‑renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas‑Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on‑site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY

The Nurse Residency Program is a planned, comprehensive program through which currently licensed RNs with less than 12 months (of nursing experience) can demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that meet the standards of practice defined by the American Nurses Association and other specialty nursing organizations to deliver safe, quality care in a specific clinical setting. The Nurse Residency Program consists of a set of experiences and activities over a 12‑month period to support organizational enculturation, practice based learning and professional development of the registered nurse.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full‑time employee‑only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

Education

*Bachelor's Degree Candidates are new nurse graduates with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree who have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited/state approved program or

*Associate's Degree (ADN) with current UTSW experience.

Licenses and Certifications

* (NLC) NURSING LICENSURE COMPACT-BNE Current Texas (or BNE Compact State) license and

* (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC). and

Specialty areas may have increased certification/license requirements as dictated by unit or standard of care.

Job Duties

• Performs and accurately documents physical, psychosocial, and emotional assessments. All assessments take into consideration age specific criteria (children, adolescents, adults and older adults).
• Actively anticipates patients and/or patient's family needs and expectations and utilizes these in conjunction with the assessment to develop an appropriate plan of care for the patient. Utilizes critical thinking skills in planning and prioritizing nursing care. Maintains and utilizes competencies per unit expectation.
• Identifies and implements appropriate nursing interventions based on the completed assessment. Completes accurate and timely documentation of these interventions. Active coordinator of the interdisciplinary plan of care. Confers with all members of the health care team in a collaborative fashion, sharing information and observations of the patient and/or patient's family in a manner that contributes to optimal patient care.
• Appropriately prioritizes nursing interventions based upon completed assessment. Promptly identifies changes in condition as evidenced by nursing assessment, labs, x-rays, etc. Reports changes, takes follow-up action as appropriate.
• Evaluates implemented interventions and modifies care according to the evaluation. Documents interventions and modifications to the plan of care in an accurate and timely manner.
• Adheres to appropriate hospital and/or Department of Nursing policies, procedures, clinical pathways and nationally accepted standards of nursing practice while delivering nursing care to patients. Suggests practices to enhance Nursing care based on current literature and research.
• Provides appropriate and timely answers and/or education to patient's and/or patient's families. Completes accurate and timely documentation of all education provided. Obtains feedback/evaluation of understanding from patient/family, i.e., have we helped you? Patient/family verbalizes comfort with after discharge care. Demonstrates effective communication with children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
• Welcomes and orients patient/family to the unit. Encourages patient/family participation in care. Reviews plan of care with patient/family every shift. Explains special diets, tests, procedures and medications in easily understood and appropriate language. Makes frequent rounds on patients, communicates when will return; patient infrequently needs to use call light.
• Assumes accountability for all actions in the workplace. Reports errors promptly and takes appropriate follow-up action to rectify the error.
• Effective patient/family advocate. Responds to patients and/or patients family's complaints in an appropriate and effective manner. Reports complaints to the Clinical Nurse Manager or their designee in a timely manner. Utilizes the chain of command appropriately to resolve patient, operational, or personal work related problems.
• Participates in performance improvement activities as directed. Attends at least 80% of scheduled staff meetings and 100% of mandatory educational sessions.
• Provides supervision of and direction to unlicensed support personnel and nurses new to the environment. Delegates duties appropriately and within legal parameters.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.