Nurse Residency Summer 2027- Operating Room Track

Operating Room Nurse Residency Program

Summer 2027 Cohort | ChristianaCare

Application Deadline: December 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Are you a senior nursing student, recent nursing graduate, or new RN interested in perioperative nursing? ChristianaCare is now accepting applications for the Operating Room Nurse Residency Program, beginning August 5, 2027.

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, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in nursing education and professional development.

Why Choose a Nurse Residency Program?

Research shows that participation in a structured, accredited nurse residency program can lead to:

• Increased clinical competency
• Reduced medical errors
• Lower self-reported stress
• Greater job satisfaction

At ChristianaCare, we are committed to supporting nurses with less than one year of experience through specialty-focused residency programs designed to build confidence, competence, and long-term career success.

Program Overview

The Operating Room Nurse Residency Program is a comprehensive 26-week training program designed to prepare new graduate nurses for a rewarding career in perioperative nursing.

As an Operating Room Nurse, you will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary surgical team dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality patient care throughout the surgical experience.

During the residency, participants will develop a strong foundation in:

• Principles of perioperative nursing
• Surgical procedures and patient care
• Operating room workflows and safety standards
• Sterile technique and infection prevention
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Critical thinking and clinical decision-making

The program includes a blend of:

• Classroom instruction
• Simulation-based education
• Hands-on clinical experiences
• Preceptor-led orientation
• Skills validation and competency assessments

Residents are paired with experienced perioperative nurse preceptors who provide individualized guidance and mentorship throughout the program.

Classes and simulation experiences are conducted on ChristianaCare's Christiana Campus, including training within the Virtual Education and Simulation Training Center. Clinical orientation takes place within the Operating Rooms at both Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital.

Following orientation, residents continue their professional development through residency sessions during months 8, 10, and 12.

Residency Curriculum

Participants will benefit from:

• Lecture and simulation-based learning
• Peer support and networking
• Preceptor-guided clinical training
• Evidence-based practice education
• Critical thinking development
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Patient safety and quality improvement training
• Professional development opportunities

Employment Commitment

Prior to the program start date, participants must:

• Successfully pass the NCLEX
• Obtain Delaware RN licensure or Compact State RN licensure

Upon hire, nurse residents will sign a commitment agreement requiring:

• Two years of employment with ChristianaCare
• A minimum of 15 months on the original unit of hire

Individuals who do not fulfill this commitment may be subject up to a $10,000 repayment obligation.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program before June 2027 (BSN preferred)
• Hold or obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Have less than 12 months of RN experience by the program start date
• Hold a Delaware RN license or Compact State RN license before the start date
• Be willing and able to work all shifts, including:
• Days
• Evenings
• Nights
• Weekends
• Holidays

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents with your application:

Required Documents

• Cover letter expressing your interest in the Operating Room Nurse Residency Program
• Current resume
• Unofficial nursing school transcript

Additional Required Assessments

If it's determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will receive separate emails from third-party vendors and additional instruction on how to complete the following:

• SkillSurvey Clinical References
• Two clinical instructors are required to be entered
• References are not needed at the time of application submission but must be entered in enough time for your instructors to respond prior to application deadline
• Qualified candidates will receive instructions to submit contact information for clinical instructors
• HeyMilo Audio Interview Questions
• Completion of audio interview question is required
• Instructions will be provided via email after qualification review
• Both the SkillSurvey and HeyMilo assessments must be completed before a candidate can be considered for interviews.

What to Expect After Applying and Timeline

Qualified candidates will receive communication from the Talent Acquisition Team regarding required next steps, including:

• Hey Milo Audio Questions
• SkillSurvey clinical reference submission

December 17, 2026 - Application deadline

January 2027 - Eligible Candidates (Candidates who have provided all required documents and complete additional assessments) Applications will be forwarded to residency coordinators for review

February 2027 - Digital live interviews begin

Late February 2027 - Offers extended to selected candidates

July 19, 2027 - Operating Room Nurse Residency Program start date

Important Delaware Licensure Information

The Delaware RN licensure process may take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. Delays in obtaining licensure may affect your ability to begin employment as scheduled if an offer is extended.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin fingerprinting and background check requirements immediately after submitting their application and to review licensure requirements through the Delaware Board of Nursing or their Compact State licensing board.

Questions?

For application assistance or program-related questions, please contact:

View email address on click.appcast.io

Begin your Operating Room nursing career with one of the region's most comprehensive nurse residency programs and gain the experience, mentorship, and clinical expertise needed to thrive in the Perioperative environment at ChristianaCare

This is a flat rate position, any individual hired into this position will be paid $39.38/hr plus any applicable differentials. 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.