New Graduate RN Residency Program

New Graduate RNs at Atrium Health begin their careers with a supportive transition to practice experience that promotes learning, clinical application and peer support. Led by a team of dedicated nurse educators, the nurse residency program includes clinical orientation with a preceptor, specialty-specific learning experiences and a core curriculum that provides a solid foundation for clinical decision making, interprofessional teamwork, communication and time management.

Beginning Your Clinical Orientation and Preceptorship:

As a nurse resident at Atrium Health, you will begin your nursing career with a cohort of new graduates from the same specialty area, which provides an opportunity for networking and peer support. Your first week will include:

Week 1: Atrium Health Nurse Orientation introducing new nursing teammates to policy and practice, skills validation and electronic health record training.
Week 2: Clinical orientation with a preceptor begins in your clinical area. New graduate nurses work 1 on 1 with experienced preceptors throughout their orientation.

Classes:

During the residency program, new graduates will attend live specialty track classes, simulation sessions and complete a core Nursing Residency curriculum focused on critical thinking and, well being. Additional professional development opportunities include professional governance meetings, shadowing with members of the interdisciplinary team and attending a Nursing Professional Organization meeting. Nurse residents are also introduced to the Clinical Nurse Credentialing Pathway (CNCP), an innovative career development program that provides RNs an opportunity to further develop their leadership, education, clinical and research skills.

Who is considered a New Graduate RN at Atrium Health?

Eligible applicants to the New Grad RN Residency Program are students graduating from an RN education program or a recent graduate with less than six months of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse.

All new graduate RN's (both internal teammates and external applicants) must complete the application process and residency program to begin a nursing career with Atrium Health. Please review the following information before you begin the application process.

Are you a recent graduate from an LPN education program or do you have less than six months clinical experience as an LPN? Candidates are invited to apply to available LPN opportunities using keyword search "LPN" on the career site.

An Award-Winning Program

Atrium Health has been recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for New Grads.

Accredited Practice Transition Program with Distinction - American Nurses Credentialing Center

Atrium Health New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.

Timeline for RNs Graduating between October 2024 and March 2025

August 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024

Internal teammates may apply beginning August 1, 2024.
External candidates may apply beginning August 12, 2024.
The New Graduate RN Center will share your application with hiring managers that match your interest and the opportunities available.

Mid August 2024 – October 31, 2024

Completed applications are shared with hiring managers for review
You may view the positions you are being considered for under your CORE Connect "active job applications" list.
Selected candidates are scheduled for interviews and offers are extended
Offers are extended by Human Resources

January 2025 – April 2025

New Graduate RNs begin orientation
Start dates are scheduled based on NCLEX dates as well as specialty track class schedules (Note: Critical Care, Neonatal and Perioperative specialties have limited start dates available).

Note: If you are a New Graduate RN and have questions, please email [email protected] so we may assist.

Application Process for October-March 2025 Graduates

Use the instructions that apply to you:

Beginning August 1: Current Atrium Health teammates may apply using your Atrium Health email address only: Search the internal career site, using keyword "New Graduate RN"
Beginning August 12, 2024: External Candidates may apply by searching our career site, using keyword "New Graduate RN"

Attach your resume and cover letter.
- Application: Include month and year of anticipated graduation, clinical and relevant work experience, volunteer service or projects.
  - Provide an email address that you will check daily. Consider not using your school email which will expire once you graduate.
- Cover Letter: This will be shared with multiple locations and leaders. Refrain from referencing specific facilities or departments of interest.
If you have an American Heart Association BLS Provider or American Red Cross BLS card that is valid through July 2025, attach a copy in the “Supporting/Misc. Documents” section on the New Graduate application. If you do not have a CPR card which meets this criterion, it will not prevent you from participating in the process
Please note: External applicants apply via requisitions below and current teammates apply via PeopleConnect.
Requisitions will be unposted once ample applications are recieved for the opportunity.
If you have already graduated and have less than 6 months of experience, search New Graduate RN Spring 2024 for available openings. You may email questions to [email protected].
To stay up to date on upcoming events, job opportunities and Atrium Health news we invite you to join our Talent Network.

Residency Tracks:

Adult Acute Care
- Specialty areas include: Ambulatory Practices, Behavioral Health, Cardiac-Telemetry, Epilepsy, Medical-Surgical, Neuroscience, Observation, Orthopedics, Post-Surgical, Progressive Care, Rehabilitation and Renal
Adult Critical Care 
Continuing Care
Emergency Department
Neonatal
Oncology
Pediatric
Perioperative (OR)
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) 
Women's Services