Registered Nurse New Graduate Summer 2026 Cohort St James Hospital

Nurse Residency Program – July 2026 Cohort

The Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional caregiver who assumes responsibility and accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care of patients. The staff RN utilizes the nursing process by use of technology, therapeutic intervention, evidence-based practice and coordination of care with other health team members.

Are you a recent RN graduate—or graduating before the end of May 2026—ready to make a meaningful impact? Join our Nurse Residency Program and start your journey with the support, training, and mentorship you need to thrive.

Cohort & Hiring Timeline

• Cohort Start Date: July 6, 2025
• Manager Interviews Begin: Monday, February 2

Position Details

• Status: Full-Time (36 hours/week), Night Shift
• Location: St. James Hospital – Butte, MT
• Entry Pay: $33.38/hour
• Benefits Eligible: Yes

What is the Nurse Residency Program? Designed for New Grad RNs (less than one year of RN experience), this program bridges the gap between classroom learning and confident clinical practice. You'll receive:

• Paid clinical hours
• Webinars & simulations
• Case studies
• Weekly in-person meetings (will move to monthly after 6 months)
• Support from experienced nurse mentors

Why Butte, Montana?

Butte isn't just a place to work—it's a place to connect with history, nature, and community. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains and rich in mining heritage, Butte offers a unique blend of affordability, outdoor adventure, and cultural depth. Serving the greater Butte community since 1881, our organization is the largest hospital in southwestern Montana and the only acute care facility in the city, proudly supporting a seven-county region. With 98 beds, a Level III Trauma Center, and a Level II NICU, we provide comprehensive, high‑quality care to patients across the area.

Historic Charm & Cultural Depth Once known as the "Richest Hill on Earth," Butte's legacy as a global copper mining powerhouse is still visible in its stunning architecture and vibrant museums. Explore the World Museum of Mining, Copper King Mansion, and the Mai Wah Museum, or take a trolley tour through the National Historic Landmark District.

Outdoor Adventure at Your Doorstep Surrounded by mountains and forests, Butte is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike the Continental Divide Trail, bike the Copperway Trail, or fish in nearby blue-ribbon trout streams like the Big Hole and Jefferson Rivers. Winter brings opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating.

Affordable Living & Strong Community Butte offers one of the most affordable housing markets in Montana, making homeownership accessible for families and professionals alike. Neighborhoods like Walkerville, Terra Verde, and the University District near St. James Hospital provide diverse options with a strong sense of community.

Family-Friendly Attractions From the Ridge Waters Waterpark to the Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel, Butte has plenty to offer families. Enjoy local theaters, festivals, and parks like Stodden Park and Foreman Park.

A City with Heart Butte's residents are known for their pride and hospitality. Whether you're attending a local event, exploring the town's rich history, or simply enjoying the mountain views, you'll feel the warmth of a community that values connection and resilience.

Scope As a Registered Nurse you know that every day is different, which is why you need to know how to:

• Assess, recognize and address patients psychological and physical needs
• Foster quality of care with the best interests of patients and their families in mind
• Communicate compassionately and effectively
• Assist in developing individualized treatment plans
• Comply with evaluation, treatment and documentation guidelines
• Oversee care delivered by LPNs and/or CNAs
• Participate in clinical team conferences
• Follow hospital, regulatory and professional guidelines, policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

BSN Degree* from an accredited program required within 4 years unless 15 years of acute care service.

* Failure to obtain a BSN degree within this time frame may result in suspension or termination of employment. Nurses employed by the Hospital on or before September 1, 2014 with only an ASN/ADN, will be exempt from the requirement to obtain a BSN. Any nurse hired by the hospital from September 2, 2014 through April 15, 2019 will have 5 years / 60 months from date of hire to obtain a BSN. Any nurse who takes legally protected leave during any of the completion periods may have the period extended by a comparable amount of time.

Current State of Montana Registered Nurse License

BLS Certification upon hire.

ACLS required within 9 months of hire for all ICU/ED RN's

Oncology RN's-OCN certification or 12 credits of cancer related education per year.

For all RN's working in the ICU / ED / 5th main, PALS required within 9 months of hire / transfer.

TNCC within 12 months of transfer or hire for all ICU/ED/RNs. Must maintain TNCC/ATCN or an equivalent that is recognized by the American College of Surgeons.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements list must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team to achieve patient-focused outcomes.

2. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to read, analyze, interpret periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, or regulatory agencies.

3. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

4. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

5. Regular attendance to perform work on site during regularly scheduled business hours or scheduled shifts is required.

Preferred:

National Certification in area of practice

Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.- and -Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.- and -Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.- and -Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.- and -Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment. This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items. Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc).- and -May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.

Location:

St James Hospital

Work City:

Butte

Work State:

Montana

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36

The hourly range for this position is listed below. Actual hourly rate dependent upon experience.

$33.38 - $79