Nurse Residency Program: Progressive Care Track

Senior Nursing Students, Nurse Graduates and new RN's, it is time to apply for our Nurse Residency Program: Progressive Care Track! This is a rolling application available for all start dates.

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.   

The progressive care nurse resident will complete preceptor-led training on our intermediate or transitional level step-down units at our Newark or Wilmington campuses. The nurse resident completes preceptor-led training followed by continued residency meetings during months 6, 8, 10, and 12 to further develop as professional nurses and integral member of our caregiver team.

Upon completion of this program, participants will have built a strong foundation for nursing practice in a fast-paced, challenging environment, bridging care for medically complex patients outside of the Intensive Care Unit.

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 the ChristianaCare will be signed. The agreement requires completion of a two years with the requirement to remain on the unit of hire for a minimum of 15 months. 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!

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• 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.

Units available at this time (subject to change dependent upon the needs of the hospital):

Newark:

2B: Transitional Neuro Unit

3C: Intermediate Medical Unit

3D: Transitional Medical Unit

4E: Cardiac Stepdown

Requirements:

• Graduating from accredited 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 RN license 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 Progressive Care Nurse Residency expressing your interest in this specific program/specialty

• Please address your cover letter to Carolyn Gutzmirtl

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a flat rate position, any individual hired into this position will be paid $38.61/hr plus any applicable differentials.

Hourly Pay Range: $38.22 - $61.16This 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.