Emergency Department 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 looking to launch your career in emergency nursing? ChristianaCare is now accepting applications for the Emergency Department Nurse Residency Program, beginning July 19, 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, reflecting our commitment to developing highly skilled, confident, and successful nurses.

Why Choose a Nurse Residency Program?

Research demonstrates that participation in a structured, accredited nurse residency program can lead 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 foster professional growth, confidence, and clinical excellence.

Program Overview

The Emergency Department Nurse Residency Program is a comprehensive 26-week program that combines classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, and hands-on clinical training.

Residents work side-by-side with experienced emergency nurses while developing the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities needed to thrive in a fast-paced emergency care environment.

Designed by ChristianaCare Emergency Department nurses, this residency provides a structured transition from Graduate Nurse (GN) to Emergency Department Registered Nurse (RN). Following orientation, residents continue their professional growth through residency meetings during months 8, 10, and 12.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will transition into a Staff Nurse role within one of ChristianaCare's Emergency Departments.

Emergency Department Locations

ChristianaCare operates three Emergency Departments:

• ChristianaCare Newark Campus
• ChristianaCare Wilmington Campus
• Middletown Emergency Department

Emergency Services Highlights

• Newark Campus is the only Level I Adult Trauma Center between Philadelphia and Baltimore.
• Wilmington Campus is a Level III Adult Trauma Center.
• Middletown Emergency Department is a freestanding emergency department.
• The three departments collectively care for approximately 195,000 patients annually.
• Emergency teams serve an average of 500 patients per day.
• Across all locations, there are 162 patient treatment rooms, including advanced trauma and resuscitation facilities.

Residency Curriculum

Residents participate in:

• Classroom and simulation-based education
• Peer support and mentoring
• Preceptor-led clinical experiences
• Evidence-based practice training
• Critical thinking development
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Communication and leadership development
• Quality and patient safety education
• Professional growth 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, nurse 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

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents with your application:

Required Documents

• Cover letter expressing your interest in the Emergency Department Nurse Residency Program
  • Please address your letter to Meghan Blomquist
• Current resume
• Unofficial nursing school transcript

Additional Required Assessments

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

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 submission

December 17, 2026 - Application deadline

January 2027 - Eligible candidates (Candidates who have provided all required documents and completed all assessment tasks) applications and packages will be forwarded to residency coordinators for review

February 2027 - Digital live interviews begin

Late February 2027 - Offers extended to selected candidates

July 19. 2027 - Emergency Room 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:

[email protected]  

Begin your Emergency Room 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 ED environment at ChristianaCare

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.

Post End Date

EEO Posting Statement

ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program.  To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/