Cooper University Health Care's Nurse Residency Program complements our new-to-practice registered nurses’ first two years in clinical practice while building resiliency, promoting a sense of inquiry, and fostering empowerment as patient advocates. Cooper's Nurse Residency Program is aligned with the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™. This structure provides a standard, evidenced-based framework and curriculum that bridges the gap between nursing theory and professional practice.
In conjunction with subject matter experts, and with support of nursing leadership, Cooper's Nurse Residency Program provides a unique opportunity for our new-to-practice registered nurses to develop confidence in clinical decision-making skills, use evidence-based nursing in the health care setting, build a community amongst colleagues and cohorts, and enhance their professional nursing practice.
What is unique about our program?
Foundationally, Cooper's Nurse Residency Program curriculum is aligned with the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™. The program aims to assist in bridging the gap between nursing theory and professional nursing practice, as well as supporting the newly graduated nurse at the bedside.
Our two-year Nurse Residency Program integrates a multitude of learning methods and venues including in-person classes, simulation labs and scenarios, hands-on skills, computer-based learning, and self-study. In addition to this, the program exposes our nurses to many professional development opportunities. These include preparation for clinical specialty certification, simulation labs focused on managing difficult situations and conversations, and observation/shadowing experiences in other areas of nursing or clinical settings. Enculturation into Cooper’s Nursing Professional Practice councils is also a highlight of our Nurse Residency Program and provides nurse residents additional opportunities to further their professional network and development.
Program Objectives
Prior to graduation, all nurses enrolled in Cooper's Nurse Residency Program will develop, and participate in, an evidenced-based poster presentation. Additional objectives for the program include the following:
- Prepare learners to expand their critical thinking skills and develop their clinical leadership skills at the bedside.
- Develop learner’s ability to apply topics covered during Nurse Residency to every-day clinical practice at the bedside.
- Develop learner’s critical thinking skills and clinical decision making while continuing to expand upon topics discussed during class(es).
- Reinforce the importance of evidence-based nursing practice by incorporating topics related to qualitative and quantitative research, process improvement, and institutional policies and procedures.
- Foster professional growth and development within the organization and nursing profession.
Eligibility
Once hired, all new-to-practice nurses are enrolled in Cooper's Nurse Residency Program. There is no additional application needed. Therefore, candidates should apply to an available registered nurse position of interest through Cooper's job portal. Our program is designed for Cooper RNs who are newly licensed and new-to-practice, or RNs with fewer than 12 months of hospital-based experience at the time of hire, regardless of number of years spent in an LPN role or RN role at a non-acute care facility.