The Nurse Residency Program (NRP) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provides new grad nurses the opportunity to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse (PON) at St. Jude.
Nurse Residency Program Overview
The St. Jude Nurse Residency Program is an accredited Practice Transition Program (PTAP) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This means:
- our program meets standards set on the quality of our residency program content,
- the program is led by knowledgeable and experienced faculty,
- the program’s roots are in evidence-based practice, and
- patient care and outcomes have improved.
We hire nurse residents twice a year who enter a cohort based on their hire date. Our unique model allows new grads to join the NRP before they are licensed. To ensure licensure success, we provide extensive NCLEX support, including study materials, test preparation, and a designated week with independent study time, simulation and gaming.
The NRP lasts 10 months and offers nurse residents a supportive, clinical skills-based curriculum to kickstart their professional development. During the first several weeks of the program, nurse residents rotate through each of our patient care areas: inpatient, outpatient, surgical services and ICU. This exposes the nurse residents to the continuum of care at St. Jude, builds relationships across the organization, and allows residents to see all the potential nursing opportunities. The program culminates with Match Day, when residents are matched to a unit in the hospital where they will begin nursing orientation with their new team.
Eligibility
- Graduation from an accredited school of nursing with a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BS or BSN) required; and,
- New graduates must pass the NCLEX within 90 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.
Nurse Residency Program Match Day
After the clinical rotation, nurse residents are matched to one of the following units at the Nurse Resident Match Day ceremony:
- Bone Marrow Transplant
- Hematology
- Intensive Care Unit
- Intermediate Care Unit
- Oncology
- Outpatient Clinics
- Infusion Center and Acute Care Clinic
- Surgical Services
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. Additionally, the nurse resident will attend monthly NRP sessions which involve didactic lessons, simulation, and a variety of activities to assist with the transition from novice to competent nurse. As part of the NRP, nurse residents participate in various events to help them enculturate into St. Jude and the Memphis community.
At the culmination of the program, the nurse residents graduate and will be transitioned into our mentor program where they obtain support from a senior nurse to help guide them through their second year of professional practice.
Nurse Residency Program Expectations
New grad nurses should be able to:
- Commit to full-time employment for a minimum of the one-year of the NRP per the Residency Agreement
- Adhere to St. Jude and NRP policies per the Residency Agreement
- Uphold the St. Jude Values
Nurse Residency Program Deadlines/Timeline
| December 2024 Graduates | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Window | August 1 – September 15, 2024 |
| Roundtable virtual interview sessions | Late September 2024 |
| Candidate Notifications | By Mid October 2024 |
| Graduation | December 2024 |
| Start Date | End of January 2025 |
| Match Day | March 2025 |
| *To maintain the integrity of our program, all residents must be on campus for the entirety of their residency rotations, January-March. | |
| May 2025 Graduates | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Window | January 1 – February 15, 2025 |
| Roundtable virtual interview sessions | Late February 2025 |
| Candidate Notifications | By Mid March 2025 |
| Graduation | May 2025 |
| Start Date | Late June 2025 |
| Match Day | August 2025 |
| *To maintain the integrity of our program, all residents must be on campus for the entirety of their residency rotations, June-August. | |
Students are encouraged to start the application process according to the graduation cycle timeframe (pay attention to the deadline dates).
Documents to gather prior to applying:
- Unofficial copy of college transcripts
- Reference Letter
- Personal statement or cover letter
Tips for Documents
Are you unsure about your reference letter? Stumped by the personal statement? Review these tips for your supporting documents.
- Upload all documents in the Resume/CV section before you submit the application. Upload the following documents before you submit your application because you will not be able to upload documents after submission. Documents include resume, a copy of your transcripts (unofficial is acceptable), reference letter, and personal statement/cover letter (300 word limit). We will not consider your application if documents are not uploaded.
- An unofficial copy of college transcripts: We prefer candidates with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, but don’t let this be a deterrent. Each applicant is unique, and a GPA is one aspect of a passionate, multi-dimensional, talented nurse. If your GPA is lower than 3.2, show us what makes you an excellent candidate.
- 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.
- 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!
Questions?
If you have a question about the Nurse Residency Program at St. Jude, complete this form and we will get back to you.
Great Nurse Residency Race
Follow new St. Jude nurse residents as they navigate the Great Nurse Residency Race, which is held after nurse residents match to units throughout the hospital. Nurse residents trek through campus and face metaphorical roadblocks, detours and speed bumps developed to test their critical thinking, medical assessment, communication and collaboration skills.
Podcast Episodes
Morgan Melancon (director of Nursing Education and Professional Development) has appeared on these podcast episodes discussing the Nurse Residency Program at St. Jude. Listen below or search wherever you listen to podcasts.
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