Nurse Residency Program

Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Nurse Residency Cohorts!

East Alabama Health is excited to welcome new graduate nurses into our comprehensive Nurse Residency Program. This program is designed to support your transition into professional nursing with clinical skills training, mentorship, and professional development. 

2025 Nurse Residency Start Dates

The Nurse Residency Program begins three times a year (winter, summer, and fall) to align with traditional graduation schedules. The start dates for each cohort in 2025 are as follows:

• Winter Cohort: January 6, 2025, and January 20, 2025 (for December 2024 graduates)
• Summer Cohort: June 9, 2025, and June 23, 2025 (for May 2025 graduates)
• Fall Cohort: September 2, 2025, and September 15, 2025 (for August 2025 graduates)

Eligibility Requirements

• Mandatory Participation: Any new graduate RN or LPN with less than 6 months of experience is required to participate in the program.
• Highly Encouraged:
  • An RN or LPN with less than one year of experience is highly encouraged to participate in the program.
  • New graduate RNs with 6 months or more of LPN experience are not required to participate but are strongly encouraged to join.

What You Need to Know

To take advantage of this exciting opportunity:

• Apply for your temporary nursing license immediately after graduation.
• Apply for nursing positions at East Alabama Health that align with your career goals.
• Upon hire, you will be automatically enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program as part of your orientation.

Program Highlights

• Cohort Support: Meet regularly with a supportive group of peers to share experiences and participate in nurse educator-led professional development sessions.
• Nurse Mentorship: Each resident is paired with an experienced nurse mentor to guide you through your first year.
• Seamless Integration: The residency program works in conjunction with unit-based orientation to help you confidently transition into your new role.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for the Residency Program at East Alabama Health?
   1. There is no separate application for the residency program. The Nurse Residency Program is a required component of your orientation and is designed to support you as a new graduate nurse.
2. Where can I work as a nurse resident?
   1. All new graduate nurses are automatically enrolled in the program, regardless of the specialty area they are hired into. Simply apply for any nursing position that interests you, and if hired, the hiring manager and HR will notify us of your start. Your enrollment in the residency program will occur during the first few weeks of your orientation.
3. Why would the Nurse Residency Program benefit me?
   1. You’ll have opportunities to meet leaders and key members of our organization and gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of a healthcare facility.
   2. You’ll build relationships and camaraderie with other new graduate nurses across various disciplines, fostering empathy and collaboration across the healthcare team.
   3. The program integrates evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement initiatives into your daily practice, with support from experts in these fields.
4. Do I have to sign a contract to participate in the program?
   1. No, you’re not required to sign a contract. However, upon hire, you will sign a Nurse Residency Agreement acknowledging your participation in the program.
   2. If you leave the organization before your first anniversary, there’s no financial penalty unless you’ve signed a separate contract (e.g., for a scholarship or tuition reimbursement).
   3. Successfully meeting all program expectations qualifies you for a bonus at the end of your first year.

For more information, please contact Bekah King at rebekah.king@eamc.org.

We look forward to welcoming you to East Alabama Health and supporting you in this exciting next step in your nursing career!