Nurse Residency Program

Smiling nurse in residency program

As you begin your career as a registered nurse, Horizon Health will provide you with the tools you need to succeed.

Our Nurse Residency program pairs you with a clinical coach upon hire. This personalized, mentorship approach provides hands-on training with high-fidelity simulators in actual scenarios, and allows you to utilize the skills you’ve already learned throughout your coursework.

With support from multiple experienced nurses and medical professionals, our mission is to expose you to all the opportunities and career paths nursing has to offer.

2025/2026 Cohort 1 - Residency Timeline:

February 17, 2025-March 21, 2025:

Didactic and simulation experiences with guest speakers of various departments and roles, plus one day of dedicated clinical training per week

April 2025 – January 2026:

Complete unit-specific orientation with monthly cohort meetings to assist in transition to practice and guidance of professional skill development; development of unit-specific performance improvement project to better our organization and clinical departments

February 2026
Residency graduation celebration

*2025/2026 Cohort 2 will begin in July 2025.

Professional development & courses covered will include:

Stress management & self-care
Interdisciplinary communication
Time management & prioritization
Medication safety
Skill review with simulation experiences
Care of the surgical patient
Nursing-sensitive quality indicators
De-escalation & service recovery tactics
Leadership & professionalism
Systems review with common pathologies, including:
- Respiratory
- Cardiac
- Neurological
- Renal
- Gastrointestinal
- Integumentary
- Psychiatric

*Residents will also receive multiple certifications, including ACLS, PALS, and NIH Stroke Certification.

FAQ

What is the purpose of a nurse residency?

The purpose of our program is to create an exciting, engaging environment for new nurses to connect their knowledge from prior coursework and in-the-field training of real-life scenarios. Our program will provide a safe space to develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills before working independently with real patients. Our main goal is to give new graduates the support and tools to feel confident as they begin their nursing career.

Who can apply?

Any graduate nurse, RN or LPN, is welcome to apply!
- Eligible residency candidates are required to:
  - Have graduated from an accredited nursing program
  - Receive the Illinois RN licensure prior to unit orientation
- If a new graduate joins our team outside a residency start date, he or she will be added to a cohort group along the way to gain valued insight from current RN residents.

How do I apply/will I be compensated?

You can apply for an RN residency position on the Horizon Health careers page by clicking this link.
You will be compensated as a full-time employee throughout the entirety of your residency program.

Who is included in the residency program?

Experienced educators
- Seasoned nurses, preceptors, and physicians will assist the resident throughout their onboarding journey
Clinical coach
- Each resident will be paired with an experienced educator, acting as their personal mentor throughout their residency and beyond. Our clinical coaches are dedicated to growing your nursing competency & confidence, all while enhancing professionalism.

Where and when – Activation/How long is the program?

The inaugural Horizon Health Nurse Residency Program will begin June 6, 2022.
- The first 5 weeks of didactic classroom scenarios & hand-on experiences will take place in a designated RN residency space located on Horizon Health’s hospital campus in Paris, IL. Residents will be hired as full-time employees, reporting to campus 5 days a week
- After 5 weeks of skill assessment & training, residents will transition to their respective units at Horizon Health.
  - Clinical coaches will administer monthly check-ins for the next year as residents acclimate to their new career, to ensure a smooth transition.