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Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program

This is Nursing.

We care about you and are committed
to empower you to successfully navigate
your professional nursing journey.

Qualifications   |   Schedule   |   Tracks   |   Inquire

This is Nursing.

We care about you and are committed to empower you to successfully navigate your professional nursing journey.

Schedule   |   Tracks   |   Inquire

Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™

St. Joseph’s Health is proud to offer a program to help graduate nurses successfully transition into clinical practice. We care about you and are committed to empower you to successfully navigate your professional nursing journey. We have partnered with the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ to provide resources to help our new nurses (RN Residents) gain confidence and increase competence during this year long program. Your well-being as a new nurse is enhanced through hands-on training and processing clinical experiences.
As an RN Resident at St. Joseph’s Health, you will receive mentoring from an experienced nurse, build relationships with peers and participate in engaging learning experiences in a supportive environment. The monthly interactive sessions using evidence-based curriculum will increase your ability to:

  • Use effective decision-making skills
  • Provide clinical nursing leadership when administering care
  • Incorporate research-based evidence into practice
  • Strengthen professional commitment to nursing
  • Formulate an individualized professional development plan

There is one application that needs to be completed to the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program.” Every graduate nurse or RN with less than one-year experience (hired as RN Residents) will be enrolled based on hire date. We look forward to providing you the support and encouragement you need as you transition into the nurse you have always wanted to be.

For more information related to Talent Acquisition, please contact Becky Baroody at 315-214-6942 or e-mail Becky.Baroody@sjhsyr.org. For more information related to the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™, please contact Nichole Covert, 315-726-7984 or email nurseresidencyprogram@sjhsyr.org

Qualifications

    • Committed to full-time employment
    • Graduate of an accredited nursing school within 12 months before starting date of the Nurse Residency Program
    • Entering first professional Registered Nurse role
    • Passed National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
    • New York State Licensed Registered Nurse

Why St. Joseph’s Health?
St. Joseph’s Health offers a rewarding experience due to its strong focus on professional growth, a supportive and family-like atmosphere, and a commitment to patient care and community well-being. The organization emphasizes career advancement, work-life balance, and provides resources and support to help employees thrive both personally and professionally.

    • Opportunities for Professional Growth
    • A Supportive and Family-Like Atmosphere:
      Commitment to Patient Care
    • Focus on Work-Life Balance
    • Recognition and Rewards
    • Health and life insurance
    • Retirement plans
    • Paid time off
    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Short- and long-term disability

Welcome from Leadership

Julie Moore, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN
Chief Nursing Office

Welcome! We are excited that you are considering starting your nursing journey at St. Joseph’s Health in our Nurse Residency Program (NRP). Our 12-month NRP will provide you with skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and decision making, and support your transition seamlessly into the nursing profession. Here at St. Joseph’s, we take pride in cultivating a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous learning. You’ll be supported by mentors and leaders who are deeply invested in your success—because your success is our success. You are the future of nursing, and we are committed to empowering you every step of the way. I am very proud of the high-quality care that St. Joseph’s Health nurses provide to our patients and their families each day. Thank you for choosing to start your journey with us. I can’t wait to see the impact you will have.

Gina Bradley, DNP, RN, CNE
Director of Professional Development

It’s a true pleasure to welcome each of you to our organization and, more importantly, to the start of your professional nursing journey. As new nurses entering the profession, you are stepping into a field that is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Our Nurse Residency Program is designed to support you through this transition—providing not only the clinical tools and training you need, but also the confidence, mentorship, and professional foundation that will shape the rest of your career.

Throughout this program, you will have access to resources, educators, and clinical leaders who are here to invest in you. Take every opportunity to ask questions, reflect on your experiences, and embrace the journey ahead.

Welcome to St. Joseph’s. We’re proud to walk this path with you—and excited to see the nurses and leaders you will become.

Nichole Covert, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Nurse Residency Program Coordinator

Welcome to the St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program! We are so excited to have you join our team as you begin your journey into professional nursing. This is a meaningful time in your career, and we’re honored to support you every step of the way.

Starting your career at St. Joseph’s Health is more than just a job—it’s a chance to grow in an environment built on a legacy of compassionate care, clinical excellence, and strong values. You’ll be part of a mission-driven organization where patients come first and nurses are respected, empowered, and supported.

St. Joseph’s Health is an excellent place to begin your nursing journey because:

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  • You’ll be surrounded by supportive colleagues and educators who are dedicated to your success.
  • You’ll participate in a comprehensive nurse residency program that bridges the gap from school to practice with simulation, mentorship, and professional development.
  • You’ll care for a diverse patient population in a hospital system known for its deep community roots and commitment to service.
  • You’ll gain real-world clinical experience and develop critical thinking in a safe, structured environment that encourages learning and collaboration.
  • You’ll be part of a community that values you not just as a nurse—but as a person.

Throughout your residency, you’ll build confidence, develop strong clinical reasoning, and form connections that will last your entire career. We know this transition can be both exciting and challenging, and you are not alone. Our team is here to help you succeed and grow into the nurse you’ve worked so hard to become.

Welcome to St. Joseph’s Health. We’re proud to walk beside you as you take your first steps into professional practice.

Meet the Educators

Deborah Hopkins, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE ret, CV-BC, Gero -BC, MedSurg-BC, NPD-BC
AHA Coordinator, Global Educator

Elizabeth Quill, BSN, RN
Global Educator

Emily Houghmaster, MSN, RN, CCRN
Educator for Medical-Surgical Inpatient Units, ICU Liaison

Andrea Trout, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Educator for Medical-Surgical Inpatient Units, Infusion Services

Wendy Briscoe, BSN, RN
Educator for Behavioral Health Inpatient and Emergency Units

Kati Roe, MSN, RN, RNC-OB
Educator for Maternal and Infant Services

Maria Rall, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Global Educator, Off shift support

Dianna Losey-Nadal, MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN
Educator for Emergency Services

Tracy Long, MSN, RN, ONCC
Global Educator

Our clinical educators partner with new nurses from day one—whether through structured residency programming, individualized onboarding, or bedside coaching—to help them grow into confident, compassionate professionals.

Schedule for 2026

February-April Start

Open House: 9/10/25 2:30-4:30pm in Defuria/L100A

Application Period: 9/10/25-9/24/25

Interviews: 10/13/25-10/17/25

Offers: 10/30/25

    • February Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 2/18/26 1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 2/23/26-2/27/26
    • March Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 3/4/26 1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 3/9/26-3/13/26
    • April Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 4/15/26 1:30pm-2:30pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 4/20/26-4/24/26

 

July-September Start

Open House: 2/3/26 2:30-4:30pm in Defuria/L100A

Application Period: 2/2/26-2/15/26

Interviews: 3/2/26-3/6/26

Offers: 3/31/26

    • July Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 7/8/26 1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 7/13/26-7/17/26
    • August Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 8/5/26  1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 8/10/26-8/14/26
    • September Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 9/16/26 1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 9/21/26-9/25/26

October-November Start

Open House: 5/5/26 2:30-4:30pm in Defuria/L100A

Application Period: 5/4/26-5/18/26

Interviews: 6/8/26-/6/12/26

Offers: 6/30/26

    • October Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 10/14/26  1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 10/19/26-10/23/26
    • November Start Date
      • Mixer “Meet & Greet”: 11/11/26 1pm-2pm in Defuria
      • Orientation week: 11/16/26-11/20/26

1-Year Breakdown

Weeks 1 – 3

  • Hospital Onboarding and Orientation
  • General Nursing Orientation
  • Nurse Residency Orientation
  • Note: Days will typically be 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • EPIC Training

Months 1 – 6 After Orientation:

  • Follow preceptor schedule on unit
  • Shifts are based on unit needs (day, night, or day/night shift rotations).
  • Complete unit/division-specific education/certification course (Varies by unit)
  • Attend monthly Nurse Residency cohort classes

Months 7 – 12

  • Continue working on your floor/unit
  • Attend monthly Nurse Residency cohort classes
  • Complete Evidence-Based Practice project
  • Graduate Nurse Residency and Present Evidence-Based Practice Project

After Residency

  • Mentor in Nurse Residency Program
  • Advance professionally as a preceptor
  • Advanced degrees, and/or certifications

Interested?

Fill out the form below and someone from our talent acquisition team will contact you.

Tracks: Explore the different pathways we offer.

Behavioral Health

Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit (3-6)

Up to 30 beds
Inpatient Behavioral Health
Provides care for adults over 18 yr
Provides care for patients in mental health crisis
Provides care to patients with substance abuse disorder

Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP)

Up to 9 observational beds
Mobile Crisis Outreach services
Comprehensive psychiatric emergency room
Provides care for patients of all ages
Clinical team of nurses and mental health professionals

Medical Surgical

Short Stay 1-4

Flex Short Stay Unit
10 beds
Monday-Friday
Inpatient medical-surgical patients
Telemetry monitoring
Overflow inpatients from ED awaiting bed placement

Med Surg Unit 1-5

Up to 36 beds
Generalized medical-surgical
Telemetry monitoring
Hospitalist coverage
Ventilator capacity
Virtual nurse support

Family Practice and Teaching Service 2-4

Up to 36 beds
Generalized medical-surgical
Telemetry
Designated family practice and teaching service
Resident coverage
Virtual nurse support

Sepsis Step-down Unit 2-5

Up to 36 beds
Sepsis step-down unit
Generalized medical-surgical
Telemetry monitoring
Hospitalist coverage
Ventilator capacity

GI/GU Unit 3-1

Up to 18 beds
Urology
Renal
Colorectal
General surgery
Telemetry monitoring
Bedside peritoneal dialysis

Oncology Unit 3-2

Up to 15 beds private rooms
Oncology
Palliative care
Telemetry monitoring
Drains, wounds
Chemotherapy

Orthopedics Unit 4-1/4-2

Up to 49 beds
4-1: up to 34 beds | •non-telemetry
4-2: up to 15 beds | •Telemetry monitoring
Orthopedic service line
Elective surgery (total joint, fracture)
DNV Certified Center of Excellence for hip/knee/shoulder/spine

Cardiac Stepdown Unit D4

Up to 36 tower beds
Cardiac step-down unit
Cardiac surgery: pre/post open heart
Vascular surgery: pre/post
Telemetry monitoring
Ventilator capacity
Bedside peritoneal dialysis

Cardiac Stepdown Unit D5

Up to 36 tower beds
Cardiac step-down unit
Cardiac procedures: pre/post
Designated Stroke Unit
Telemetry monitoring
Bedside peritoneal dialysis

Critical Care

Progressive Care Unit 3-4

Up to 15 beds
Intermediate level of care
(MSICU step-down)
Sepsis, DKA, complex drips
Advanced modalities
Bedside peritoneal dialysis
Ventilator capacity

Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit D3 West

Up to 20 beds
Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Critical medical-surgical patients
Post-surgery
Invasive line monitoring
Previous Beacon Award recipient
No clinical groups

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit D3 EAST

Up to 20 beds
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Cardiac surgery: open heart
Vascular surgery
ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)
Previous Beacon Award recipient
No clinical groups

Surgical Services

Operating Room

15 Operating Rooms
Cardiac surgeries
Thoracic and vascular
Neurosurgery
Orthopedics
Robotic surgeries
General surgery
GYN, GU, bariatric

Post Anasthesia Care Unit and One day surgery 1:1

Post anesthesia care unit
Surgical prep area, immediate phase 1 recovery, and phase 2 recovery
1:1 same-day surgery
Regional blocks
ECT therapy
Pacemaker placements

Endoscopy

More than 5,000 procedures a year
Endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS, esophageal motility studies, PED placement
Conscious sedation

Cardiovascular Access Unit CVAU

Same-day cardiac procedures
Structural Heart Program
Admission/recovery
Adult patients only
Telemetry trained

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Heart catheterizations, angioplasties, stent placements, carotid artery, pacemakers

Electrophysiology and Interventional Radiology Labs

Women and Fetal Medicine

Mother-Baby Unit 5-1

Post partum birthing persons and newborns
Antepartum
Occasional GYN/minor clean surgical patients

Labor and Delivery

6 OB emergency beds and 3 pre-op/recovery beds
Labor and delivery unit
Includes birthplace
Antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care
Cesarean sections

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Up to 14 beds
Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery
Premature and/or critically ill newborns
Attend all emergency and high-risk births

Emergency Services

Emergency Services

4-zoned units consisting of ranging bed capacities
Triage zone
Fast-tracked zone
Cardiac arrest, trauma, etc.
Heart Failure and previously Chest Pain Center Accreditation
Accredited Stroke Center Emergency Department

Observation Unit

Up to 15 beds
Observation status patients (48-hour admissions)
Society for Chest Pain Accredited
Generalized medical-surgical
Primary nursing model
Telemetry monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply for the St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program position with St. Joseph’s Hospital?

  *Please refer to schedule found here.  

How do I apply for the St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program as a current employee?

 

You must submit an application during the open application acceptance time frame.

Select application.  Spring 2026  |  Summer 2026  |  Fall 2026

Which service lines accept nurse graduates?

 

The St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program accepts nurse graduate students in areas including Medical-Surgical, Critical Care, Emergency Services, Women’s Services, Perioperative Services, Procedural Services, Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health.

 

How long is the St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program?

 

The St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program is a 12-month program planned to support RN residents transitioning into their first professional nursing role. You will receive a weeklong nurse resident orientation, then complete monthly seminars that are 4 hours long. There is a graduation at the end of the program.

 

What happens after I apply for the St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program?

 

Your application will be reviewed to ensure that the basic qualifications are met. If you meet the qualifications, you will be contacted by a talent acquisition recruiter to discuss the program and book onsite interviews.

 

What happens if I am not selected to move forward in the St. Joseph’s Health Nurse Residency Program?

 

If you are not selected to move forward, you will be notified. We will keep your information on file for 90 days, should our needs change.

 

Who may I contact if I have further questions about the Nurse Residency Program application process?

 

You can email your questions to nurseresidencyprogram@sjhsyr.org

 

What documents does the application require?

 

When you submit your application, it will ask you to include a resume and a cover letter (optional: nursing program diploma).

 

What is a typical schedule for a Nurse Resident?

 

Nursing unit schedules vary and largely depend on the needs of the unit/division. The typical workweek is 3 12-hour shifts.

The nurse residency program will include a weeklong orientation and 4-hour monthly seminars from 0700-1100.