Launch Your Nursing Career with Confidence at WakeMed 

Every new nurse hits the same wall somewhere in the first six months: the gap between what you learned in school and what the shift actually asks of you. At WakeMed, we don’t pretend that wall isn't there, so we built a year-long program around getting you over it. 

Our accredited Nurse Residency Program has guided new graduate nurses through their first year since 2004. We call it “Putting the Puzzle Together”, and it works: 95% of our 2024 residents were still with us at the one-year mark, across a cohort of 193 nurses. You’ll be paired with a trained preceptor, supported by two dedicated Nurse Residency Coordinators, and move through the year alongside a cohort of peers experiencing exactly what you are facing. 

What to Expect Your First Year, Month by Month 

Six milestone classes anchor the year, timed to the moments new nurses tell us they need them most: 

• Sorting Through the Pieces (2 weeks) — welcome, networking, Q&A with former residents 

• Looking at the Big Picture (1 month) — quality improvement and the impact you make 

• Building the Framework (3 months) — clinical judgment, time management, delegation, and an honest conversation about reality shock 

• One Piece at a Time (6 months) — ethics, feedback, and navigating difficult conversations 

• I'm the Last Piece (9 months) — career development, evidence-based practice, Clinical Nurse Council 

• A Star of Excellence (12 months) — a celebration of your transition to practice, with leadership present 

Alongside these classes, you'll have access to specialty clinical training including Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation, Basic Arrest Management, ED and Neuro Core, OB Core, NIH Stroke Scale, Vascular Access Excellence, and more. 

What You’ll Do... 

• Provide comprehensive nursing care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. 

• Develop clinical judgment, critical-thinking skills, and professional nursing competencies through guided mentorship and hands-on experience. 

• Grow into a specialty – acute care, critical care, emergency services, women’s services, perioperative services, and others 

Who We're Looking For... 

• Graduates of an accredited ADN or BSN program 

• Newly licensed RNs or nurses with 6 months or less of post-licensure experience 

• Candidates eligible for RN licensure in North Carolina 

• Individuals who are passionate about patient care and committed to continuous learning 

• Team players who value collaboration, communication, and compassionate care 

Why Begin Your Career at WakeMed? 

• Magnet Recognition with Distinction — the highest national recognition for nursing excellence and the first hospital system in North Carolina to earn this honor 

• A guaranteed structured first year with dedicated residency coordinators, not just a preceptor and ‘good luck’ 

• Clear advancement through the RN Career Ladder and clinical advancement pathways 

• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development resources 

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer 

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, free onsite parking (trust us, it’s a thing), and relocation assistance available for eligible candidates 

Cohort Dates 

Our Winter 2027 cohort begins Monday, February 8, 2027, with offers extended no later than January 13, 2027, and licensure verification by February 3, 2027. Our Summer 2027 cohort begins Monday, June 21, 2027. 

Considering WakeMed but not ready to apply? Join us for our Nurse Resident Information and Networking Session on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Andrews Center in Raleigh. Meet the coordinators, talk with current residents, and interview on the spot if you are ready. 

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is the leading provider of health services in Wake County. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of our community, we are committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

EOE