Getting to Know the Nurse Residency Program Webinar
- Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 5 pm Central
- WebEx: WebEx (link will be sent prior to the event)
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, new graduate nurses are a valuable part of our mission to find cures and save lives. Nurse residents do it all, from the bench to the bedside, and contribute to the future of research by being part of the St. Jude Nurse Residency Program. Our transition to practice program is accredited with distinction by ANCC and provides a clinical skills-based curriculum to kickstart your professional development.
The Nurse Residency Program (NRP) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN provides recently graduated nurses the opportunity to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse (PON) at St. Jude.
St. Jude’s NRP is a 12-month accredited with distinction transition to practice program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accredited Program (ANCC PTAP). Receiving the ANCC PTAP Accreditation with Distinction designation is the highest recognition a transition to practice program can be awarded by the ANCC. The program’s roots are in evidence-based practice, aiming toward improving patient care and outcomes.
Nurse residents are hired twice a year and join a cohort based on their hire date. The program’s unique model allows new grads to join the residency program before they are licensed. To ensure licensure success, the program provides extensive NCLEX support, including study materials, test preparation and a designated week with independent study time, simulation and gaming.
During the first several weeks of the program, nurse residents rotate through each of the patient areas (Inpatient, Outpatient, Surgical Services, and Float Pool) to expose them to the continuum of care at St. Jude, build relationships across the organization and learn about the potential nursing opportunities. The clinical rotations culminate with Match Day, when residents are matched to a unit in the hospital where they will begin nursing orientation with their new team.
Following Match Day, each nurse resident begins their individualized clinical orientation on their matched unit, working alongside a preceptor to learn skills necessary to care for St. Jude patients. In addition to their clinical orientation, nurse residents attend monthly NRP sessions which involve didactic lessons, simulation, and a variety of activities to assist with the transition from novice to competent nurse. A bonus to the monthly NRP sessions are the various events the nurse residents participate in to help them enculturate into St. Jude and the Memphis community.
After graduating from St. Jude’s NRP, residents are paired with a nursing mentor to promote their personal and professional growth through the provision of supportive and nurturing mentor–mentee relationships during their second year of professional practice.
Eligibility
Applicants must have:
- Graduated from an accredited school of nursing with a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BS or BSN)
- GPA of 3.2 or higher (3.5 is strongly preferred)
- Less than one year of nursing experience before starting the program
New grad nurses must be able to:
- Commit to full-time employment for a minimum of the one-year of the Nurse Residency Program per the residency agreement
- Adhere to St. Jude and Nurse Residency Program policies per the residency agreement
- Pass the NCLEX within 120 days of hire and must obtain a Tennessee license, or the state of primary residency if the state is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. To find out about participating compact states, visit www.ncsbn.org
- Uphold the St. Jude Values and cultural principles
Nurse Residency Program deadlines/timelines
| December 2026 Graduates | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Window | August 1 – September 1, 2026 |
| Candidate Notifications | By Mid October 2026 |
| Graduation | December 2026 |
| Start Date | End of January 2027 |
| Match Day | March 2027 |
| *To maintain the integrity of our program, all residents must be on campus for the entirety of their residency rotations, January-March. | |
| May 2027 Graduates | Dates |
| Application Window | January 1 – February 1, 2027 |
| Candidate Notifications | By Mid March 2027 |
| Graduation | May 2027 |
| Start Date | End of June 2027 |
| Match Day | August 2027 |
| *To maintain the integrity of our program, all residents must be on campus for the entirety of their residency rotations, June-August. | |
| December 2027 Graduates |
Dates |
| Application Window | August 1 - September 1, 2027 |
| Candidate Notifications | By Mid October 2027 |
| Graduation | December 2027 |
| Start Date | End of January 2028 |
| Match Day | March 2028 |
| *To maintain the integrity of our program, all residents must be on campus for the entirety of their residency rotations, January-March. | |
How to apply
A link to the application will be published on this page for the duration of the Application Windows mentioned above.
A complete application includes:
- Updated resume
- Unofficial transcripts
- Reference letter (addressed in attention to the St. Jude Nursing Residency Program)
- Personal statement/cover letter (300 words max)
Remember to upload all required documents before submitting the application as it is not accessible after submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Tips on Applying
- Upload all documents to the Resume/CV section before submitting the application. Upload the following documents before submitting your application because you will not be able to upload documents after submission. Documents include a resume, a copy of your transcripts, a reference letter, and a personal statement/cover letter. We will not consider your application if these documents are not uploaded.
- An unofficial copy of college transcripts: Candidates are recommended to have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, but 3.5 is strongly preferred. Each applicant is unique, and a GPA is one aspect of a passionate, multi-dimensional, talented nurse.
- Reference letter: Quality trumps credentials when it comes to references. Seek out leaders from your professional or educational journey who know you, your work, and your passions personally and will take the time to draft a recommendation that highlights why you are the best candidate for a position. Reference letters can be addressed in attention to the St. Jude Nursing Residency Program.
- Personal statement or cover letter: Your cover letter or personal statement is an opportunity to supplement your resume. Use it to show us how your personal mission aligns with ours! It can be addressed with attention to the St. Jude Nursing Residency Program. There is a 300-word limit.
- Pay attention to deadlines: Review the deadlines associated with your graduation cycle timeframe. Once the application has closed, we are unable to accept applications or supporting documents.
- For international students and nurses: Each application is evaluated individually. For further inquiries related to international matters, please contact the recruiter specified in the application when applying.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Nurse Residency Program at St. Jude, complete this form and we will get back to you.
