Summer 2027 New Graduate Nurse Residency, NICU

VHC Health; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

VHC Health offers a Summer 2027 New Graduate Nurse Residency in NICU, located in Arlington, VA. The program provides structured preceptorship on your home unit, monthly cohort sessions, and a paid, one-year residency to build clinical reasoning, leadership and evidence-based practice skills alongside experienced staff.

New graduates join a nationally recognized program with Magnet designation support and ongoing professional development opportunities, within a respected, community-focused health

Qualifications

• Associate's in Nursing or Bachelor's in Nursing required.
• New Graduate: one year of Nursing/Patient Care in an acute care setting.
• Licensed RN by VA Dept. of Health Professions or Compact State Licensure required.
• BLS certification required.
• ACLS and PALS cards meet BLS requirements when present; ongoing certification may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect total nursing care for assigned patients.
• Supervise assigned personnel and adhere to hospital policies.
• Demonstrate clinical reasoning, decision-making, and evidence-based practice.
• Communicate effectively in written, spoken and visual formats.

Skills

Clinical nursing

Patient care

Communication

Education

Associate's in Nursing

Bachelor's in Nursing

Job description

Position Title

Summer 2027 New Graduate Nurse Residency, NICU

Job Description Summary

VHC Health Sets a New Standard for Nurse Residency Excellence!

VHC Health’s Nurse Residency Program has earned PTAP Accreditation with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the highest level of recognition awarded through the ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). VHC Health is proud to be the first hospital in Northern Virginia to achieve this accreditation, building on our distinction as the first PTAP-accredited nurse residency program in Northern Virginia when we initially earned accreditation four years ago. This national recognition reflects VHC Health’s commitment to providing new graduate nurses with a strong transition-to-practice experience, meaningful professional development and the support they need to build confidence and grow their nursing careers.

Our New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is designed to give you the support, education and hands-on experience you need to confidently transition from nursing school into professional practice. Through a structured preceptorship on your home unit and monthly cohort sessions, you’ll develop clinical reasoning, decision-making, leadership and evidence-based practice skills while learning alongside other new graduate nurses. Experienced preceptors, nursing leaders, Staff Development Specialists and Advanced Practice Nurses will support you throughout the approximately one-year, paid residency program and beyond. With two residency entries each year, VHC Health provides a supportive, collaborative environment where new nurses can build their skills, grow their confidence and begin a rewarding nursing career.

About Us: Located in Arlington, Virginia, VHC Health is a 548-bed, independent, not-for-profit health system and nationally recognized teaching hospital. We have proudly served the Washington, DC metropolitan community for more than 75 years. Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in Virginia and the region, VHC Health has earned recognition as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Employer and a 2025 Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. We also hold the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. As a Level II Trauma Center, we are committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care when it matters most.

Job Description

Purpose & Scope:

Across all levels, the registered professional nurse is responsible for the direct and indirect total nursing care of their assigned patients. The RN is also responsible for the supervision of assigned personnel. The position requires knowledge of both department and hospital policies and procedures relevant to the delivery of nursing care. Interpretive skills, frequent interactive and consultative associations, along with management and supervisory skills are inherent in the position. The ability to retrieve, communicate or otherwise present information in a written, auditory or visual fashion is essential. The primary method to express or exchange ideas is through the spoken word. Written, telephone, and manual dexterity skills are required for this position.

Education:

Associate's in Nursing Required or,

Bachelor's in Nursing Required

Experience:

New Graduate: One year of Nursing/Patient Care in an acute care setting

Certification/Licensure:

Licensed as a Registered Nurse by the Virginia Department of Health Professions required or,

Compact State Licensure in Nursing required

BLS certification required

Registered Nurses on designated units are required to maintain certain certifications. New to practice area nurses or new graduates have 1 year to complete the specialty requirements below.

ACLS: ED, ICU, CVICU, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Bronch Suite, Interventional Radiology, Radiology Safety Nurses, Step down Units (3A, 3B, 4B), 6A, 6B, 7A, Labor and Delivery, Hemodialysis, Respiratory Therapy, Float pool, GI Unit, and PACU

PALS: PACU: Pediatric Nurses, ED

NRP: NICU, Mother Baby, Labor and Delivery

De-escalation training: BHU, ED

Per policy ACLS or PALS cards stand as showing competence in BLS Skills per American Heart Association Guidelines. If an employee holds current ACLS or PALS certification, this meets the requirement for BLS in their job description. They do not need to also carry a separate BLS certification.

Additional Job Description

At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities.

In addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families.

VHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position—whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate—is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions.

The posted hiring range reflects the range VHC Health, in good faith, believes is appropriate for this role at the time of posting. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law.

VHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.

VHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations.