Senior Nursing Students, Nurse Graduates and new RN's, it is time to apply for our Nurse Residency Program: Medical or Surgical Track for both Newark and Wilmington Campuses!

The ChristianaCare Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.

Research demonstrates that new to practice nurses completing a structured and accredited residency program leads to:

• Increase in competency
• Reduction of error
• Reduced self-reported stress
• Increase in job satisfaction

Therefore, we are committed to supporting all registered nurses with under one year of experience through a nurse residency specialty track.

This exciting curriculum integrates:

• Lecture and simulation education
• Peer support
• Up to 16 weeks (as determined by your individual transition to practice needs) of preceptor-led clinical experiences structured to foster critical thinking, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, effective communication, quality and safety, and professional development.  

Our medical and surgical nursing units at Newark and Wilmington campuses serve an adolescent/adult/geriatric population with a wide variety of complex diagnoses and surgical procedures. Nurses having successfully completed the residency will have built a strong foundation for nursing practice in a fast-paced, challenging environment. The preceptor led program followed by continued residency meetings during months 8, 10, and 12 to further develop as professional nurses and integral members of our caregiver team.

Nurse residents are required to pass State Boards and be licensed as a RN in the State of Delaware (or compact state) prior to starting position. Upon hire, a commitment agreement to work at ChristianaCare will be signed. The agreement requires completion of two years within ChristianaCare and 15 months of those two years on the unit of hire. Individuals unable to fill this commitment will be charged $10,000.

What we have to offer to you:

 - We are a 3x recognized Magnet Status Hospital!

 - Growth Opportunities defined by our Clinical Ladder.

 -  We offer a robust benefits package. Our healthcare benefits include medical, dental & eyecare, starting day one!  Enjoy generous paid time off, paid parental leave, competitive pay with shift differentials, tuition reimbursement.  Additional benefits include, dependent care assistance, pet insurance, financial coaching, fitness & wellness reimbursements and discounts on multiple services and events.

- Advance Your Nursing Skills by providing a higher level of care.

Currently, the following Medical units are available ( units are subject to change any time based on the needs of the hospital):

3A: STAR Unit

3B: Medical

3C: Medical Stepdown

5D: Medical

Currently, the following Surgical units are available ( units are subject to change any time based on the needs of the hospital):

4W: Medical and Surgical (Wilmington)

2C: Ortho Neuro Trama

Requirements:

• Graduating from accredited registered nursing school (BSN Preferred)
• BLS required
• Less than 12 months of nursing experience by the start of the program
• Eligible for Delaware license as a Graduate Nurse/Registered Nurse or multi-state RN from a compact state

How to apply

• In the section "My Experience," on the application, be sure to upload your cover letter and transcripts in the section "Resume/CV/Other Documents." PDF format works best.

• Submit a cover letter for the Medical or Surgical Nurse Residency expressing your interest in this specific program/specialty.

• Please address your cover letters to either Cheryl Muffley (Medical) or Debbie Lykens (Surgical)

• Resume

• Transcript (unofficial)

• Two clinical recommendations will be required, but not at the time of the application. If it is determined the minimum qualifications are met, a separate email will be sent from an outside vendor for you to provide us with your clinical instructors’ information.

What to Expect After Application:

• Communication from Talent Acquisition Team about specific next steps, including: video interview and clinical references
• Applications to be sent for review by residency coordinators

• Offers to be made once all scheduled interviews are completed.

We are conducting in- person interviews every Wednesday and Thursday so be sure to complete the required steps to be seen by a hiring manager!

To be interviewed you must have completed:

One video on-demand interview through HireVue and have both clinical instructor references completed.

Fall Start Dates

January 5th

Spring 2026 Start Dates

Feb 2nd

Feb 16th

March 2nd

March 16th

March 30th

April 13th

April 27th

Summer 2026 Start Dates

May 27th

June 8th

June 22nd

July 8th

July 20

August 3rd

August 17th

August 31st

If you have any issues with your application or any inquiries, please contact Cathleen Mengel, the Nurse Residency recruiter at cathleen.s.mengel@christianacare.org.

It is important to note that the DE license process may take 6-8 weeks to complete and the failure to do so will directly impact employees' ability to start a position if an offer is made. We strongly encourage applicants to visit the DE Board of Nursing website and begin the fingerprinting and background check process immediately after you submit your application.

Hourly Pay Range: $38.22 - $61.16

This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare’s good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.