Nurse Residency Summer - Operating Room Track

Operating Room Nurse Residency Program

Summer 2027 Cohort | Christiana Care

Final date to receive applications:
December 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Are you a senior nursing student, recent nursing graduate, or new RN interested in perioperative nursing? Christiana Care is now accepting applications for the

Operating Room Nurse Residency Program
, beginning August 5, 2027
.

The Christiana Care Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in nursing education and professional development.

Why Choose a Nurse Residency Program?

Research shows that participation in a structured, accredited nurse residency program can lead to:

• Increased clinical competency
• Reduced medical errors
• Lower self-reported stress
• Greater job satisfaction

At Christiana Care, we are committed to supporting nurses with less than one year of experience through specialty-focused residency programs designed to build confidence, competence, and long-term career success.

Program Overview

The Operating Room Nurse Residency Program is a comprehensive 26-week training program designed to prepare new graduate nurses for a rewarding career in perioperative nursing.

As an Operating Room Nurse, you will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary surgical team dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality patient care throughout the surgical experience.

During the residency, participants will develop a strong foundation in:

• Principles of perioperative nursing
• Surgical procedures and patient care
• Operating room workflows and safety standards
• Sterile technique and infection prevention
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Critical thinking and clinical decision-making

The program includes a blend of:

• Classroom instruction
• Simulation-based education
• Hands-on clinical experiences
• Preceptor-led orientation
• Skills validation and competency assessments

Residents are paired with experienced perioperative nurse preceptors who provide individualized guidance and mentorship throughout the program.

Classes and simulation experiences are conducted on Christiana Care's Christiana Campus, including training within the Virtual Education and Simulation Training Center. Clinical orientation takes place within the Operating Rooms at both Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital
.

Following orientation, residents continue their professional development through residency sessions during months 8, 10, and 12
.

Residency Curriculum

Participants will benefit from:

• Lecture and simulation-based learning
• Peer support and networking
• Preceptor-guided clinical training
• Evidence-based practice education
• Critical thinking development
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Patient safety and quality improvement training
• Professional development opportunities

Employment Commitment

Prior to the program start date, participants must:

• Successfully pass the NCLEX
• Obtain Delaware RN licensure or Compact State RN licensure

Upon hire, nurse residents will sign a commitment agreement requiring:

• Two years of employment with Christiana Care
• A minimum of 15 months on the original unit of hire

Individuals who do not fulfill this commitment may be subject up to a $10,000 repayment obligation
.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program before June 2027 (BSN preferred)
• Hold or obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Have less than 12 months of RN experience by the program start date
• Hold a Delaware RN license or Compact State RN license before the start date
• Be willing and able to work all shifts, including:
  • Days
  • Evenings
  • Nights
  • Weekends
  • Holidays

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents with your application:

Required Documents

• Cover letter expressing your interest in the Operating Room
  Nurse Residency Program
  • Please address your letter to Karen Brady
• Current resume
• Unofficial nursing school transcript

Additional Required Assessments

If it's determined that you meet the minimum qualifications will receive separate emails from third-party vendors and additional instruction on how to complete the following:

Skill Survey Clinical References

• Two clinical instructors are required to be entered
• References are not needed at the time of application submission but must be entered in enough time for your instructors to respond prior to Final date to receive applications
• Qualified candidates will receive instructions to submit contact information for clinical…