At University of Colorado Hospital in metro Denver (Anschutz Medical Campus)
You’ve done it. You just dedicated years to learning how to fulfill your dream—becoming the best nurse possible. What’s next? How do you make that all-important transition from student to professional nurse?
Our nationally-accredited Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program is the transition that will make the critical difference in your career.
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora is currently ranked the #1 Hospital in Colorado and the Denver metro area by US News & World Report. Additionally, the Anschutz Medical Campus is proud to host the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ which has a Magnet and teaching-hospital status, double-accreditation (CCNE), university-affiliation, and is one of the longest-running, top-performing, and results-driven residency programs in the United States today.
We absolutely want the best for your career path in nursing and encourage you to compare UCHealth to other residency program competitors at glassdoor.com. Also, if you are considering other residency programs, please be sure to inquire if they are accredited, guarantee paid employment after acceptance, and offer at least one year of evidence- and curriculum-based learning.
As a newly graduated RN in our Nurse Residency Program, you will receive the education and support necessary to develop the judgment, skill and knowledge you’ll need to become the highest caliber nurse. A lofty goal – yet a very achievable one – our Magnet status guarantees you will be mentored by the best, most highly educated nurses in Colorado and the country. This invaluable program will enable a clear career path into acute care nursing. In fact, many graduates of this esteemed program have gone on to become charge nurses, nurse educators, preceptors and more.
Enrollees in our program receive a year of post-baccalaureate education, comprised of:
- 10-24 weeks of orientation & precepted experience on the clinical unit of hire. Length of orientation varies based on unit specifics.
- Paid specialty courses (part of your 36-hour work week) designed for your specific unit occurring throughout the year
- Paid monthly Nurse Residency seminars, providing additional curriculum and mentoring support
Our Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency is facilitated by UCHealth’s expert registered nurses with program goal emphasis on:
- Transition from entry-level advanced beginner to competent professional nurse in the clinical environment
- Develop effective decision-making skills related to clinical judgment and performance
- Develop strategies to incorporate research-based and other evidence into practice
- Develop clinical leadership skills at the point of patient care
- Practice collaboratively as members of the inter-professional healthcare team
- Formulate an individual career plan that promotes a life-long commitment to professional nursing
When you successfully complete the program, you can look forward to a second year of pursuing your nursing passion through continued employment at our nationally-recognized, Magnet status hospital.
2019-20 Program dates and milestones
February 2019 Residency Cohort
- Application window opens October 29, 2018
- Application window closes November 16, 2018
- All pertinent dates and timelines will be emailed upon successful application submission
- Candidates for this program are highly encouraged to take the NCLEX 4 – 6 weeks prior to Orientation. Recommended NCLEX test date for this cohort is prior to January 25, 2019. RN licensure must be possessed prior to Orientation.
- Cohort start date: February 25, 2019.
July 2019 Residency Cohort
- Application window opens April 8, 2019
- Application window closes April 26, 2019
- All pertinent dates and timelines will be emailed upon successful application submission
- Candidates for this program are highly encouraged to take the NCLEX 4 – 6 weeks prior to Orientation. Recommended NCLEX test date for both July and August 2019 cohorts is prior to June 24, 2019. RN licensure must be possessed prior to Orientation.
- Cohort start date: July 29, 2019.
- New hire attendance in either the July or August cohort will be determined following interviews, and decisions surrounding this placement will support the latest needs of our patient populations and participating units.
August 2019 Residency Cohort
- Application window opens April 8, 2019 (shared application window with July cohort)
- Application window closes April 26, 2019 (shared application window with July cohort)
- All pertinent dates and timelines will be emailed upon successful application submission
- Candidates for this program are highly encouraged to take the NCLEX 4 – 6 weeks prior to Orientation. Recommended NCLEX test dates for both July and August 2019 cohorts is prior to June 24, 2019. RN licensure must be possessed prior to Orientation.
- Cohort start date: August 26, 2019.
- New hire attendance in either the July or August cohort will be determined following interviews, and decisions surrounding this placement will support the latest needs of our patient populations and participating units.
October 2019 Residency Cohort
- Application window opens July 8, 2019
- Application window closes July 26, 2019
- All pertinent dates and timelines will be emailed upon successful application submission
- Candidates for this program are highly encouraged to take the NCLEX 4 – 6 weeks prior to Orientation. Recommended NCLEX test date is prior to September 16, 2019. RN licensure must be possessed prior to Orientation.
- Cohort start date: October 21, 2019.
February 2020 Residency Cohort
- Application window opens October 28, 2019
- Application window closes November 15, 2019
- All pertinent dates and timelines will be emailed upon successful application submission
- Candidates for this program are highly encouraged to take the NCLEX 4 – 6 weeks prior to Orientation. Recommended NCLEX test date is prior to January 27, 2020. RN licensure must be possessed prior to Orientation.
- Cohort start date: February 24, 2020.
Application information
To be considered, all parts of the metro Denver Nurse Residency application packet must be received online by the application deadline.
>> See our FAQs for additional questions and answers
Applicant eligibility
- Graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing baccalaureate program (BSN). Candidates graduating with an Associates in Nursing degree are not eligible to apply to this Graduate Nurse Residency Program.
- Must have graduated from a BSN Program within the past twelve months of a cohort start date.
- Must be seeking first nursing role since graduation.
- In order to be considered for a graduate nurse position in ANY area of Critical Care (ICUs, Neonatal ICU, and/or the Emergency Department) a candidate must have previous paid experience (CNA, ACP, Nurse Intern, EMT, etc.) or a “non-paid” position (Senior Practicum, Externship, etc.) in ANY area of Critical Care.
Application requirements
Please note that the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program has a new multi-step application process.
DO NOT BEGIN APPLICATION WITHOUT REVIEWING THIS INFORMATION FIRST. HAVE YOUR COMPLETE SINGLE DOCUMENT PREPARED BEFORE BEGINNING THIS APPLICATION.
- Turn off pop-up blockers
- Visit Careers.uchealth.org (or click link at bottom of this page if within a cohort application window), search/browse/refine for positions, and click the “Apply Now” link. If you are an internal employee, please click the “UCHealth employees apply here” link. Internal employees can also search internal positions through The Source.
- Enter your User Name and Password if a returning applicant, or click the “Register Now” link to set up a profile for the first time.
- THE BEGINNING STEP OF AN APPLICATION THAT REQUESTS A RESUME UPLOAD IS WHERE YOUR COMPLETE SINGLE RESIDENCY PACKET (UNDER 2 MB) WILL BE SUBMITTED.
Ensure that required information, education, and work history are accurate and up-to-date. The email and phone number listed will be the primary means of communication for Program updates. You will have the opportunity to attach one (1) single (Word or PDF) document to your profile (this beginning step will only ask for your resume, but this is where you will upload your completed multi-step document). This one single document must be in the order described below and will be comprised of the following seven (7+) pages:
- Pages 1 and 2 – Supplemental Application. Select the [Word document]. Please answer ALL the questions on the supplemental application.
- Page 3 – Cover letter. This should give a brief overview of why you’re interested in this cohort and also reiterate why you’re a good fit for your Unit(s) of choice and UCHealth overall.
- Pages 4 and 5 – Comprehensive resume
- Page 6 – Letter of Recommendation. The letter has no template or fixed criteria. Instead, this is a character reference submitted on your behalf from past managers, clinical educators, teachers, managers, supervisors, family, friends, peers, fellow students, etc. PLEASE ONLY INCLUDE ONE SINGLE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.
- Page 7 – (typically) 9 – Nursing School Unofficial Transcripts
**Please ensure that when the document is uploaded, it is in a printable Microsoft Word or PDF format. Only apply if you truly have all your multi-step seven (+)-page document ready to upload. Incomplete applications receive a follow-up from a member of the Talent Acquisition team to resolve.
Reminders & tips
- Due to the number of applications received, HR is unable to confirm receipt of your application until after the application window has closed.
- Ensure that all parts of your application have been submitted successfully and in the correct format (Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word). If we are unable to open your document, you will not be further considered. Please note that our applicant tracking system only accepts one uploaded document. All required application pages need to be in one single Microsoft Word or PDF document under 2 MB.
- It is highly discouraged for applicants to approach hiring managers directly in regards to Residency openings. All applications must go through Human Resources.
- Please only list your top 2 specialties on the supplemental application.
- ALLOW YOURSELF AMPLE TIME TO APPLY DURING AN APPLICATION WINDOW. APPLYING IN THE LAST 24-48 HOURS PRIOR TO AN APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSING IS AN ASSUMED CANDIDATE RISK, AND TALENT ACQUISITION WILL NOT CONSIDER ANYONE WHO DOES NOT APPLY DURING A COHORT APPLICATION WINDOW.
Interviewing process
Applications are reviewed after the submission deadline. A recruiter will contact selected applicants by email to schedule an interview. Applicants will not be contacted for an interview until after the application closing deadline.
All candidates selected for an interview are required to interview in-person with the selection team at their own expense.
All candidates who apply will be notified by email once the positions have been filled.
Offers
Offers are contingent and are not considered official until the following items are received:
- Final, “official” transcripts from your school with BSN graduation date
- Completed reference check
- Current and active American Heart Association Basic Life Support card, current (and not expiring) for 60 days from the program start date.
- Passing a post-offer, pre-employment health screen and completion of hospital background check
- Successful completion of the NCLEX exam. Candidates for this program are highly encouraged to take the NCLEX 4 to 6 weeks prior to Orientation.
- Current and active Colorado RN licensure or (eNLC) compact RN license must be verified by the Friday prior to Orientation.
Candidates are encouraged to apply for a Colorado licensure when they apply to take the NCLEX. eNLC compact licensures from participating states will also be accepted for onboarding. Endorsements from outside Colorado are not recommended due to the length of time they take to complete..
Nurse licensure
Colorado State Board of Nursing: http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/ or (303) 894-2430
For additional questions on RN licensure, endorsements and/or NCLEX, please contact that state’s Board of Nursing.
The Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program at University of Colorado Hospital is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/).
UCH’s Nurse Graduate Residency Program partners with University of Colorado’s College of Nursing