RN Residency in Pediatrics
It’s not just caring about children that makes our nurses so special. It’s our dedication to specialized training and sensitivity that is perfected by caring for youngsters 100 percent of the time. At Rady Children’s, you’ll receive the support you need to make the successful transition from nursing student to professional nurse.
We offer a unique five-month-long RN residency training program specifically tailored to the orientation needs of the recent graduate. The program beings in late July of each year. The main goal of the program is to provide a gradual, well-rounded entry into the realm of pediatric nursing with an emphasis on expanded learning and professional development.
Applications are accepted in February for the residency that begins in July of the same year. Please check our careers page (www.rchsd.org/careers) for updates on our job postings. When applying, you'll need to submit a cover letter -- which you can paste into the online applicaiton -- that includes the following:
- Your commitment to a career in pediatric nursing
- The department in which you are most interested
- Your availability for an interview
- Why you want to be a pediatric or neonatal nurse at Rady Children's
- When you anticipate graduating from your nursing program
Key components of the RN residency program include preceptor-based training, class curriculum, mentorship, debriefing and looping.
Preceptor-Based Training
RN residents benefit from the guidance of experienced nurse preceptors in the clinical setting as they jointly deliver patient care; this training is individualized and emphasizes the development of safe-care practices and critical-thinking skills. Our residents receive over 430 hours of individual preceptor-based training.
Class Curriculum
RN residents attend an ongoing series of classes throughout the five-month orientation period. Classes focus on core concepts in pediatric nursing; these classes take the form of lectures and hands-on training presented by a team of multidisciplinary experts.
Mentorship
Early in the program, each RN resident is paired with a nursing mentor committed to supporting new staff; this mentor is then available as a professional contact, coach and resource for the full duration of the orientation period.
Debriefing
Throughout the program, RN residents regularly participate in free-form discussions facilitated by multidisciplinary staff that address the stresses and challenges particular to the nursing profession; themes typically explored during debriefing include professional boundaries, stress management, self-care, conflict resolution and coping with grief.
Looping
RN residents gain an expanded perspective of the Rady Children’s system as they "loop" to a variety of patient care areas beyond their home unit for customized learning experiences.
Additional benefits of this paid RN residency include:
- Competitive pay
- Generous shift differentials
- Retirement plan, including tax-deferred savings
- Comprehensive, flexible employee benefits package
You can choose from the following pediatric specialty areas:
- Pediatric ICU
- Hematology/Oncology Unit
- Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit
- Medical/Surgical Unit
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Orthopedics/Surgical Unit
- Emergency Department
In This Section
Contact Our Nurse Recruiter:
- Email: lflasnick@rchsd.org
- Phone: 858-966-8050
