Covenant Health’s Nurse Residency Program (NRP) supports newly graduated registered nurses (RNs) to help them successfully transition from educational settings to a fast-paced hospital environment. The 12-month structured program uses classroom learning seminars, case studies, small group discussion, precepted clinical practice and evidence-based practice projects.
Our program enhances competency in three core areas: leadership, patient outcomes and professional roles. Facilitated by expert nurses, the program places special emphasis on competence and confidence in decision making, satisfaction and professional commitment, leadership and critical thinking skills, relationship building, efficiency and safety on the floor, and quality of care.
With our proven program, participants receive:
- Needed support from hospital leaders, peers and NRP coordinator, Sara Meadows, MA, RN.
- A promotion and raise after one year of full-time employment.
- Opportunities to volunteer in the community.
- Clinical autonomy at the point of patient care.
- Increased competence and confidence in decision-making
Residents begin the program together in cohorts three times per year based on NCLEX test dates (July, October, and February). Students should begin applying at the start of your final semester in nursing school. A Clinical Nurse I’s cohort is decided by his or her start date. Travel to various Covenant Health locations in Tennessee may be required (see FAQ for details).
Nurse Residency Program cohort start dates are as follows:
Hire dates of April – July will begin residency in July
Hire dates of July – October will begin residency in October
Hire dates of October – February will begin residency in February
Regular full-time (72 hours per pay period) are eligible for Covenant Medical Plans and CTO, in addition to a host of elective benefits. Part-time employees are eligible for certain elective benefits.
Benefits Include:
- 401(k) Retirement Plan and match
- Combined Time Off (CTO)
- Health, dental, and vision Insurance
- Medical/Dependent Care Flexible Spending
- Disability Plans
- Group Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Extensive in-house clinical and professional development programs
- Educational Assistance
- Health& Fitness Center discount
- Covenant Health Credit Union
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Read more about Covenant Health Benefits: https://www.covenantcareers.com/benefits/.
- Full-time employment as a Clinical Nurse I at Covenant Health – Apply now
- TN RN License
- Commit to attend all sessions of the 12-month Nurse Residency Program (One 4-hour session per month)
- Commit to your unit or area of hire for 1-year.
- Actively participate in an evidence-based project development and presentation.
Do I have a specific unit? Yes, participants interview for a specific unit and once hired are placed with a clinical coach from that area.
How often do I attend sessions? New nurses attend the NRP monthly for the first year. These paid four hour sessions are a part of the participant’s work schedule.
Do I have to apply for both a nursing position and the Nurse Residency Program? No. Our Clinical Nurse I new hires are automatically enrolled in the next cohort of the program.
Recently at a Nurse Residency Seminar
Emily-Anne Buck came and spoke to the nurse residents in our April seminar about the important role nurses play in offering hope to victims of domestic violence. Her compelling personal story really connected and gave insight to how healthcare providers can empathize and assist people going through these difficult situations. More information can be found at www.emilyannebuck.com!
About Sara Borges, MA, RN
Nurse Residency Program Coordinator
Sara Borges launched the Nurse Residency Program at Covenant Health in 2016. She has been with the system her entire career where she has served in multiple roles ranging from Inpatient Nurse to Nurse Educator to Nurse Manager. She now helps transition new graduate nurses in their first year of practice. Sara is passionate about equipping them to handle the challenges of a hospital environment. Outside of her time at Covenant Health, Sara enjoys participating in health care mission trips.