Description – External

The RN Residency Program requires:

• BSN and minimum 3.0 GPA
• Texas RN license
• Active American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support certification 

Application deadline is February 6, 2026.

The UT Southwestern July 2026 (Cohort 20) RN Residency Program is open to BSN graduates from the August 2025, December 2025, and May 2026 graduating classes, as well as experienced BSN RNs who will have less than 12 months RN experience at start of program (July 2026). Application instructions and requirements include:

• A completed online application
• Resume showing all work experience, involvement in professional organizations, and history of volunteerism
• Transcript (most recent–unofficial is acceptable) with 3.0 GPA or higher required
• *Internal candidates must apply as an internal candidate and are asked to upload a letter of recommendation from current manager 

DO NOT submit your application until you have ALL the required documents. Upload one master file which will include all required documents.  Applications received without the items listed above cannot be processed.

The residency program begins July 13, 2026. Graduate Nurses are required to have their license posted on the board of nursing before close of business on July 1, 2026.
 

JOB SUMMARY
The Nurse Residency Program is a planned, comprehensive program through which currently licensed RNs with less than 12 months (of nursing experience) can demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that meet the standards of practice defined by the American Nurses Association and other specialty nursing organizations to deliver safe, quality care in a specific clinical setting. The Nurse Residency Program consists of a set of experiences and activities over a 12-month period to support organizational enculturation, practice based learning and professional development of the registered nurse.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties

·         Performs and accurately documents physical, psychosocial, and emotional assessments. All assessments take into consideration age specific criteria (children, adolescents, adults and older adults).

·         Actively anticipates patients and/or patient’s family needs and expectations and utilizes these in conjunction with the assessment to develop an appropriate plan of care for the patient. Utilizes critical thinking skills in planning and prioritizing nursing care.

·         Maintains and utilizes competencies per unit or clinic expectation.

·         Identifies and implements appropriate nursing interventions based on the completed assessment. Completes accurate and timely documentation of these interventions. Active coordinator of the interdisciplinary plan of care. Confers with all members of the health care team in a collaborative fashion, sharing information and observations of the patient and/or patient’s family in a manner that contributes to optimal patient care.

·         Appropriately prioritizes nursing interventions based upon completed assessment. Promptly identifies changes in condition as
evidenced by nursing assessment, labs, x-rays, etc. Reports changes, takes follow-up action as appropriate.

·         Evaluates implemented interventions and modifies care according to the evaluation. Documents interventions and modifications to the plan of care in an accurate and timely manner.

·         Adheres to appropriate clinic, hospital and/or Department of Nursing policies, procedures, clinical pathways and nationally accepted standards of nursing practice while delivering nursing care to patients. Suggests practices to enhance Nursing care based on current literature and research.

·         Provides appropriate and timely answers and/or education to patient’s and/or patient’s families. Completes accurate and timely documentation of all education provided. Obtains feedback/evaluation of understanding from patient/family, i.e., have we helped you? Patient/family verbalizes comfort with after discharge care. Demonstrates effective communication with children, adolescents, adults and older adults.

·         Welcomes and orients patient/family to the clinic or unit. Encourages patient/family participation in care. Reviews plan of care with patient/family every shift. Explains special diets, tests, procedures and medications in easily understood and appropriate language. Makes frequent rounds on patients, communicates when will return; patient infrequently needs to use call light.

·         Assumes accountability for all actions in the workplace. Reports errors promptly and takes appropriate follow-up action to rectify the error.

·         Effective patient/family advocate. Responds to patients and/or patients family’s complaints in an appropriate and effective manner. Reports complaints to the Clinical Nurse Manager or their designee in a timely manner. Utilizes the chain of command appropriately to resolve patient, operational, or personal work-related problems.

·         Participates in performance improvement activities as directed. Attends at least 80% of scheduled staff meetings and 100% of mandatory educational sessions.

·         Provides supervision of and direction to unlicensed support personnel and nurses new to the environment. Delegates duties appropriately and within legal parameters.

·         Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

·         Education
Bachelor’s Degree Candidates are new nurse graduates with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree who have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited/state approved program or
Associate’s Degree (ADN) with current UTSW experience.

·         Experience
<1 year Current UTSW experience

·         Licenses and Certifications
(NLC) NURSING LICENSURE COMPACT-BNE Current Texas (or BNE Compact State) license and
(BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT Certification, course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) and
Specialty areas may have increased certification/license requirements as dictated by unit or standard of care.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·         Self-directed and able to organize and manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.

·         Work requires high level of effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

·         Work requires interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing, physicians and allied health professionals. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

·         Physical Demands
Lifting
Pulling
Pushing

·         Working Conditions
Clinical Setting
Office Setting

PACT STATEMENT

The following is the acronym, “PACT”, and is fundamental to all clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center:

·         P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.

·         A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.

·         C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.

·         T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.