Clinical Nurse Residency Program
The Clinical Nurse Residency Program is designed to be a component of the newly graduated nurse’s formal orientation at MD Anderson. The specialty-specific clinical orientation along with leadership and socialization aspects of the program provide the opportunity for a well-balanced orientation and transition to the role of registered nurse.
Nurse Residency Program Objectives/Goals
Residency participants will initiate a professional nursing practice career in a supportive environment committed to providing informal mentoring, coaching and learning. They will build confidence through a structured, professional, transition-into-practice experience that is customized to individual developmental needs to assist in transitioning to a successful professional nursing practice role. They will independently perform competent nursing care and procedures in a clinical area safely, effectively, efficiently, and legally. They will also develop clinical leadership skills in a world-class academic medical institution to positively impact the professional practice environment and patient outcomes. They will create and enhance professional networks and relationships with peers.
Residency participants are placed in oncology clinical settings such as: medical/surgical, hematology, critical care, pediatrics, peri-operative services, emergency center, and nursing clinical research.
Applicants can apply for the Clinical Nurse Residency Program in the following specialty tracts:
- Clinical nurse (inpatient)
- Research nurse
- Operating room
Applicants may also apply to any clinical nurse position in which they meet the minimum requirements.
Orientation
Residency participants will gain clinical experience through the nursing orientation portion. The orientation program includes:
- Collaboration with clinical nursing instructors, clinical coaches, and leadership to design a personalized pathway for development of each newly graduated nurse
- Participation in MD Anderson’s clinical nursing orientation program
- Participation in oncology-specialty orientation specific to assigned area
Transition to Practice
- A scheduled 8-hour paid education day each month to participate in required residency classes and activities
- Residency program length is 12 months long
- Socialization activities
- Additional support and exposure to MD Anderson resources
Accreditation
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Clinical Nurse Residency is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
The current sites included in this accreditation with distinction designation are: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center - Texas Medical Center.
The current workplace settings included in this accreditation with distinction designation are: Medical, Surgical, Step Down, Critical Care, Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Operating Room, Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit (PACU), Ambulatory, Emergency Department, Centralized Function (Float Pool and Research).
Requirements
Participants in the clinical nurse residency program must have graduated from an accredited school of nursing program and obtain an unencumbered Texas RN license prior to the employment start date. Eligible participants include those that have less than one year Registered Nurse work experience.
For more information, contact the Human Resources Recruitment Office at 713-745-6200.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the residency program different from the clinical orientation?
The residency program curriculum complements the clinical orientation and provides newly graduated nurses with developmental and social opportunities during their first year at MD Anderson.
Are all new-graduate nurses required to be part of the residency program?
Yes. The residency program is part of the formal orientation process for all newly graduated nurses hired by MD Anderson.
When are the residency start dates?
Residency cohort groups begin in the Spring, Summer and Fall for clinical nurses. The other tracts may only have one application/start per year.
How often does the residency program meet?
The residency classes meet once a month for eight hours.
Where are the residency program classes held?
The classes are within the Texas Medical Center campus. Occasionally there may be an off-site activity.
How long is the residency program?
The residency program lasts 12 months.
If I transfer units during the residency program, do I have to quit the residency program?
No. As a residency participant, you will remain in the clinical nurse residency program even if you transfer to another unit or department during your first year.
Clinical Nurse Residency
The Clinical Nurse Residency Program encompasses inpatient nursing areas including hematology, surgical oncology, medical oncology, pediatrics, critical care, emergency center, and perioperative services.
About the program:
- Twelve-month nurse residency program that supports the transition of newly graduated RNs to the specialty role of an oncology clinical nurse.
- Oncology clinical nursing is a specialty nursing practice focused on the care of patients in the hospital setting. The role places the nurse on the forefront of administering cutting edge cancer treatments while caring holistically for the patient and family.
- As a clinical nurse, the newly graduated RN will coordinate, treat, and evaluate patients in the hospital setting. Specific tasks associated with the role include patient assessment, coordination of care, treatment administration, and patient/ family education.
- Residents must successfully complete the program, which is a comprehensive education program.
- Residency RNs will be paired with an assigned coach (RN preceptor) during clinical orientation.
- Eligible participants include those that have less than one year Registered Nurse work experience.
- Clinical Nurse Residency start dates are typically in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Residency cohort participants are placed together in cohorts based on hire date.
Research Nurse Residency
Research nursing is a specialty nursing practice focused on the care of research participants and the management of clinical trials. The role combines clinical and administrative functions and places the nurse at the forefront of cutting edge cancer treatment development.
About the program:
- Twelve-month nurse residency program that supports the transition of newly graduated RNs in the specialty role of a research nurse.
- As a research nurse, the newly graduated RN will coordinate, evaluate and follow patient participation in clinical trials while facilitating compliance to the research protocol and good clinical practice. Specific tasks associated with the role include participant recruitment and screening, patient assessment, coordination of protocol specific activity including treatment and tests, toxicity evaluation, collection of trial data, and patient and family education.
- Residents must successfully complete the program, which is a comprehensive education program.
- Residency RNs will be paired with an assigned coach (RN preceptor) during orientation.
- Program available by specific application.
Learn more by watching our video about Research Nursing
Operating Room Nurse Residency
About the program:
- Twelve-month nurse residency program that supports the transition of newly graduated or experienced nurses to the specialty role of a perioperative nurse.
- Oncology operating room nursing is a specialty nursing practice focused on the care of patients in the perioperative setting.
- The Operating Room Nurse Resident learns the two essential roles of perioperative nursing
- Scrub nurse
- Circulating nurse
- As a clinical nurse, the resident will rotate through all surgical services in the OR (scrub role and circulator role) which include: Gynecology, Genitourinary, Thoracic, Robotic surgery, Pediatric, Surgical Oncology, Head & Neck, Plastics & Reconstruction, Ortho, and Neuro. Through each rotation, the residents gain exposure to state of the art technology and various treatment modalities. Residents also have the opportunity to shadow different team members in the perioperative setting (Nursing assistants, CRNAs, Pre-op and PACU nurses, sterile processing team members) to understand everyone’s role in the care of the surgical patient.
- Residents must successfully complete the Periop 101 program which is a comprehensive, online education program structured around evidence-based perioperative practice guidelines.
- During each specialty service rotation, Residency RNs will be paired with an assigned coach (RN) or preceptor (Surgical Technologist)
- The program is comprised of didactic as well as clinical/hands-on skill labs and exams requiring 80% proficiency.
- Program available by specific application only.