The Nurse Residency Program at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System provides newly licensed registered nurses (RN) clinical experience, expertise, and support as they begin to transition to the role of a professional nurse.
In 2017, 2020, and again in 2024, The Nurse Residency Program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota achieved PTAP (Practice Transition Accreditation Program) Accreditation with Distinction, the highest recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Accreditation Program.
ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) as this is a registered trademark of the ANCC.
Accreditation Statement:
The Nurse Residency Program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Sarasota 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 site included in this accreditation designation is: Sarasota Memorial Health Care System – Sarasota
The Nurse Residency Program at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System – Venice is on their journey to accreditation.
The current practice settings included in this accreditation designation are:
The Nurse Residency Program is a 12-month program for newly licensed RNs who have been hired to a nursing unit. Benefits include:
Increased nurse retention.
Enhanced critical thinking and problem solving.
Enhanced leadership skills.
Increased confidence and competence in clinical nursing practice.
Opportunities for professional growth
The Nurse Residency Program began in 2007, includes one – on – one personalized coaching with specially trained and experienced SMHCS nurses who have a passion for mentoring and training. In addition to comprehensive orientation to SMH, the nurse residents participate in professional development classes, case studies, expert speakers, and simulation training. The newly licensed nurses are hired in a cohort of their peers which aids in the development of professional collaboration, colleague support, and provides opportunities to share experiences.
As part of the Magnet model, Sarasota Memorial encourages ASN and BSN graduates to apply. In order to advance the nursing profession, we are committed to increasing the number of BSN prepared nurses at the bedside. It is expected that non-BSN graduates will be committed to completion of the BSN degree within five years of hire. SMHCS offers tuition reimbursement for BSN and graduate nursing degrees. Nurse residency participants are asked for a two-year employment commitment.
Sarasota New Grad Program Details
Venice New Grad Program Details
Application Process
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is accepting applications year-round. You must be licensed in the state of Florida prior to the residency start date. The Nurse Recruiter will review your information and notifications will be sent to eligible candidates. Potential candidates will be invited to an interview with hiring managers.
Standing out from the Crowd
Apply online to the Nurse Residency Program.
A Talent Advisor will review your information, and notifications will be sent via email.
Throughout your transition, you are receiving support from your unit leadership, unit educators, and nurse residency program coordinators. You will be provided with educational support, tools, and handouts that will assist you in meeting your learning needs. We also provide strategies to promote your wellbeing throughout your first year.
Our clinical coaches (preceptors at SMH are called clinical coaches) are trained to facilitate your learning needs. They will assist you in learning new tasks and skills in caring for your patients. They will also help you develop your critical thinking skills. A dedicated clinical coach will be assigned to you by your leadership team in collaboration with the nurse residency program coordinators.
Throughout your clinical orientation you will be meeting bi-weekly with your unit leadership team and the nurse residency program coordinator. During this time, you will be given opportunities to share your experiences, identify learning needs, and develop plans to meet your educational training.
Our monthly seminars allow you the opportunity to meet and network with experts in a variety of practice settings. The nurse residency program supports you in joining your unit or house wide based committees, councils, and task forces that interest you. Once you have completed the nurse residency program, we encourage you to consider working towards a nursing certification in your specialty practice setting. Financial assistance may be available to assist you in obtaining higher education, nursing certification, and outside conferences. Many of our residents grow into leadership roles, transition to specialty units, and work towards advanced degrees.
A newly licensed registered nurse with less than 12 months of RN experience and must have graduated from a regionally accredited nursing program or international equivalent.
Yes, you can apply if you have not graduated or have taken your NCLEX. You are required to have an active Florida RN license prior to starting in the Nurse Residency Program.
You are welcome to apply. The nurse residency program takes both bachelor's prepared and associate degree nurses.
Nurse residency cohorts start once a month.
Cookies are used on this site to assist in continually improving the candidate experience and all the interaction data we store of our visitors is anonymous. Learn more about your rights on our Privacy Policy page.
