Starting a career in nursing can be both exciting and overwhelming, but at San Juan Regional Medical Center, new nursing graduates don’t have to navigate this transition alone. The hospital’s accredited Nurse Residency Program is designed to provide essential support, training, and mentorship to help recent graduates become confident, skilled and well-rounded nurses.
What is the Nurse Residency Program?
The Nurse Residency Program at SJRMC is a year-long initiative tailored for new graduate nurses. The program helps them transition from the classroom to patient care by offering a combination of hands-on training, classroom learning and mentorship.
"Coming out of nursing school and going into the reality of nursing can be hard," said Maranda Marquez, the program coordinator. "We want to set them up for success—not only for their careers but also to keep them in our community and ensure they provide exceptional care for our patients."
Residents work in their chosen specialty areas; however, the program also exposes them to different departments to create well-rounded nurses. From experiencing a patient’s journey through various hospital units to participating in engaging educational activities, the program fosters both skill development and teamwork.
A Nationally Accredited Program
In 2024, SJRMC’s Nurse Residency Program achieved accreditation from the American Nursing Credentialing Center. This accreditation ensures that the program meets high national standards for training and effectively transitions new nurses into professional practice.
Innovative and Engaging Learning
The Nurse Residency Program at SJRMC makes learning interactive and fun. Participants engage in activities such as:
- Escape rooms and relay races to reinforce learning in a dynamic way
- Hands-on simulations to prepare for real-life medical scenarios
- "Houses" inspired by Harry Potter, fostering camaraderie and teamwork
- An IV Ninja class, ensuring nurses master IV insertion techniques with confidence
"Most people don’t like getting poked multiple times, so we make sure our nurses are highly skilled," said Marquez. "This enhances patient comfort and satisfaction while improving our nurses’ confidence."
A Focus on Retention and Community
One of the key goals of the residency program is to retain talented nurses within the community. Studies show that structured nurse residency programs improve retention rates by providing the necessary support for new graduates.
"We want our nurses to feel supported and valued, which encourages them to stay," Marquez explained. "In turn, that benefits our hospital and the entire community."
SJRMC has seen success in this area, with many local graduates from San Juan College choosing to stay and build their careers at the hospital. However, the program is also drawing interest from nurses across the country, including states like Wisconsin, Idaho, and Montana, who are looking for a supportive start to their careers.
How to Apply
The Nurse Residency Program operates on a rolling basis, with cohorts starting in February, June and September. Applications are accepted year-round, so prospective nurses don’t need to wait for a specific deadline to apply.
"Even if you haven’t graduated yet, start thinking about it," advised Marquez. "That way, you can already have a job set up before you even graduate from nursing school."
New graduates can apply here. The program welcomes applicants who have their graduate nurse license and are set to take the NCLEX within 90 days.
Building the Future of Nursing
With a commitment to patient care, professional growth, and community retention, San Juan Regional Medical Center is shaping the future of nursing—one resident at a time.