Finding your first job as a nurse can be exciting and intimidating all at the same time. Therefore, it is important that new graduate nurses find a place where they feel comfortable and receive the support they need to foster their growth from advanced-beginner level of practice to the competent level of nursing practice.

University Health provides a one-year Nurse Residency Program to facilitate new graduate nurse successful transition from the student to the professional role. Residency sessions and facilitator support are planned and delivered with the primary goal of assisting graduate nurse development of their professional role and the skills to become a successful member of the health care team.

What the Nurse Residency Program Entails

The University Health Nurse Residency Program supports the graduate nurse professional practice development using the structure and processes of the nationally recognized Vizient Nurse Residency Program.

This Program Emphasizes

• Critical thinking skills
• Leadership abilities
• Communication skills
• Evidence Based Practice
• Nurse sensitive outcomes related to patient safety
• Professional career development

This Residency Includes

• On-boarding sessions as a University Health employee and as a registered nurse.
• Monthly Nurse Residency Program sessions that consist of discussions, simulations, tours and interactions with other University Health departments and personnel.
• Creating and implementing an evidence-based practice project and formally presenting the outcomes.
• Opportunities to submit abstracts for the evidence-based project for presentation at national conferences.
• A dedicated Program Director who is a clinical expert and experienced program facilitator who provides support and follow-up throughout the nurse residency program.
• Outcome data from nurse resident participation in the University Health Nurse Residency Program demonstrates that residents develop improved confidence, competence, communication skills and leadership capabilities. They also demonstrate a decrease in stress levels.

American Nurses Credentialing Center

University Health Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 

How to Become a University Health Nurse Resident

All newly hired registered nurses, with less than one year of experience, are automatically entered into the Nurse Residency Program. Graduate nurses or registered nurses can apply for any acute care position within University Health and upon hire, they are assigned to a Nurse Residency Program cohort and provided detailed information about the year-long residency curriculum and process.

For more information, you can email us at NurseResidency.Program@uhtx.com.