Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Program

Summer 2027 Cohort | ChristianaCare

Application Deadline: December 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Are you a senior nursing student, recent nursing graduate, or new RN with a passion for critical care? ChristianaCare is now accepting applications for the

Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Track, beginning July 2027.

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, providing a structured and supportive transition from nursing school to professional practice.

Why Choose a Nurse Residency Program?

Research demonstrates that participation in a structured, accredited nurse residency program leads to:

• Increased clinical competency
• Reduced medical errors
• Lower self-reported stress
• Greater job satisfaction

At ChristianaCare, we are committed to supporting nurses with less than one year of experience through specialty-focused residency programs designed to promote confidence, clinical excellence, and long-term career success.

Program Overview

The Critical Care Pathway Nurse Residency Track is designed to prepare new graduate nurses for successful careers in intensive care nursing through a structured, progressive learning experience.

Residents begin with 5 to 6 weeks of intensive preceptor-led training on a stepdown unit, supported by mentorship from the Critical Care Nurse Residency Coordinator. This foundational experience focuses on developing:

• Clinical excellence
• Time management
• Prioritization skills
• Critical thinking
• Professional confidence

Following stepdown training, residents transition into their ICU placement and complete up to 18 additional weeks of specialty critical care orientation within their unit of hire.

For external candidates and internal caregivers seeking placement in a different unit, a secondary interview with ICU leadership will occur during the final week of stepdown training. Candidates will have opportunities to participate in shadow experiences within critical care units across ChristianaCare's Newark, Wilmington, and Cecil campuses before the interview process.

The residency includes up to 26 weeks of preceptor-led clinical training, followed by ongoing residency seminars throughout the first year of practice.

Participating Critical Care Units

Potential ICU placements include:

• Surgical ICU (Shock/Trauma)
• Neuro ICU
• Medical ICU
• Cardiovascular ICU
• Wilmington Campus ICU (Medical/Surgical Intensive Care)

Unit placement is determined through the residency selection and interview process.

Residency Curriculum

The program combines:

• Classroom instruction
• High-fidelity simulation training
• Peer support and mentoring
• Preceptor-guided clinical experiences
• Evidence-based practice
• Critical thinking development
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Communication and leadership training
• Quality and patient safety education
• Professional development opportunities

Employment Commitment

Prior to the program start date, participants must:

• Successfully pass the NCLEX
• Obtain Delaware RN licensure or Compact State RN licensure

Upon hire, residents will sign a commitment agreement requiring:

• Two years of employment with ChristianaCare
• A minimum of 15 months on the original unit of hire

Individuals who do not fulfill this commitment may be subject up to a $10,000 repayment obligation.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program before June 2027 (BSN preferred)
• Hold or obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Have less than 12 months of RN experience by the program start date
• Hold a Delaware RN license or Compact State RN license before the start date
• Be willing and able to work all shifts, including:
  • Days
  • Evenings
  • Nights
  • Weekends
  • Holidays

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience in a healthcare setting
• Critical care clinical rotations
• Shadowing or observational experience in critical care environments

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents with your application:

Required Documents

• Cover letter expressing your interest in the Critical Care Nurse Residency Program
  • Please address your letter to Tara Miles
• Current resume
• Unofficial nursing school transcript

Additional Required Assessments

If it's determined that you meet the minimum qualifications will receive separate emails from third-party vendors and additional instruction on how to complete the following:

SkillSurvey Clinical References

• Two clinical instructors are required to be entered
• References are not needed at the time of application submission but must be entered in enough time for your instructors to respond prior to application deadline
• Qualified candidates will receive instructions to submit contact information for clinical instructors

HeyMilo Audio Interview Questions

• Completion of audio interview question is required

• Instructions will be provided via email after qualification review

Both the SkillSurvey and HeyMilo assessments must be completed before a candidate can be considered for interviews.

What to Expect After Applying and Timeline

Qualified candidates will receive communication from the Talent Acquisition Team regarding required next steps, including:

• Hey Milo Audio Questions
• SkillSurvey clinical reference process

December 17, 2026 - Application deadline

January 2027 - Applications forwarded to residency coordinators for review

February 2027 - Digital live interviews begin

Late February 2026 - Offers extended to selected candidates

July 19. 2027 - Postpartum Nurse Residency Program start date

Important Delaware Licensure Information

The Delaware RN licensure process may take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. Delays in obtaining licensure may affect your ability to begin employment as scheduled if an offer is extended.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin fingerprinting and background check requirements immediately after submitting their application and to review licensure requirements through the Delaware Board of Nursing or their Compact State licensing board.

Questions?

For application assistance or program-related questions, please contact:

beanurse@christianacare.org

Begin your critical care nursing career with one of the region's most comprehensive nurse residency programs and gain the experience, mentorship, and clinical expertise needed to thrive in the ICU environment at ChristianaCare.