Skip to Main Content

Schedule certain appointments online. Get started.

National Nurse Residency Program - Northwest Division - Washington

National Nurse Residency Program - Northwest Division - Washington

Why choose CommonSpirit Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Residency Program?

Nursing excellence is our brand. CommonSpirit Health’s Virginia Mason Franciscan hospitals launch you with a year-long, evidence-based residency that pairs immersive classes with on-unit coaching from day one, so you grow safe, skilled, and confident.

Personalized growth, specialty focus. Dedicated preceptors, educators, and mentors tailor monthly transition classes, skills labs, and virtual enhancements to your clinical goals, sharpening critical thinking, leadership, and resilience.

Curriculum grounded in ANCC Practice Transition standards delivered via OpusVi’s interactive Canvas platform with concise didactics, realistic simulations, and a mentored evidence-based project, all backed by expert support at every step.

Accelerate your impact and career. Our Married State Preceptorship Model facilitates expedited development. Within 18 weeks, our residents attain a level of competency equivalent to that of nurses with 18 months of traditional onboarding. This accelerated progression contributes to enhanced patient outcomes and rapid career advancement within an organization dedicated to substantial investment in its nursing professionals.

Program components

The year-long program opens with a blend of classroom instruction and unit-based, patient-care orientation, and classes continue after residents move into independent practice.

  • Service-line specific curriculum that can include various learning modalities
  • Ongoing support after precepted time with a mentorship
  • Completion of an Evidence Based Project (EBP) supported by experienced EBP advisors
  • 18-24 weeks of Precepted/Orientation time with preceptors trained in the Married State and Tiered Skills Acquisition models. 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, candidates must:

  • Have less than one year of RN experience at the start of the RN Residency Cohort
  • Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing with a minimum of an Associate's Degree in Nursing required; Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred
  • Obtain a registered nurse (RN) license that is valid in Washington state prior to the start of the cohort
  • Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association prior to cohort start date

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Residency will be offered in the following specialty areas:
**Not all specialties available at all sites/for all cohorts

  • Medical/Surgical/Telemetry
    • Orthopedics
    • Oncology
    • Observation Unit
    • Surgical Specialty
    • Medical Specialty
  • Critical Care
  • Progressive Care
  • Float Pool
  • Maternal/Child Health
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Postpartum
    • Special Care Nursery
    • NICU
  • Emergency Services
  • Perioperative Services

Application process timeline

Application Process Timeline

    

How to apply

  • Apply early! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as positions become available. The first candidates to apply may receive the first interviews and potential offers.
  • Please visit our CommonSpirit Careers page. You should select the “New Grad Nursing” checkbox on the left to see the most current residency postings for all of CommonSpirit.
  • Applicants may apply for a residency position prior to taking the NCLEX and graduating from a nursing program.
  • When applying for a residency position at VMFH, you will be applying directly to the unit you’ll be working on. If selected for an interview, you will be interviewing with the unit leadership.
  • The Residency Site Coordinator team does not participate in the application or hiring process. 

Resident commitment

  • Required to work 40 hours per week throughout the 12-month program regardless of the FTE you are hired into (i.e. 0.9 FTE or 72 hrs per 2 week pay period).
  • Must be available to work varying days/shifts during the precepted time; to include weekends, days shift, night shift, etc.
  • You will be provided your full class calendar for the entire year-long program during your first few weeks. Residents are expected to plan for and attend each of these listed events as part of the job and program commitment.
  • For questions regarding commitment agreements, please connect with the recruiter after applying.

FAQs

Due to the volume of applications received, recruiting is not able to share updates on the status of each application. Each candidate that applies will receive an email when the application has been successfully submitted and if they are moving forward or not.

We are happy to share any information that would be helpful as you start your career at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, a part of CommonSpirit. If you have additional questions that are not addressed here, please email the Nurse Residency shared inbox

  • Which job postings can new graduate RNs apply for on the website?
    You can apply to any nursing position that meets your interests and has “resident” or “residency” in the title. You can set up filters on the Careers website to view those keyword applications. When reviewing job postings, carefully examine the subject line for keywords such as "residency." Additionally, pay close attention to the hospital or medical center location specified, as well as the particular unit or department indicated. This detailed review of the title, location, and unit information will help ensure proper routing and handling of your application.

    What if I haven’t graduated by the time applications are due?
    You do not need to have graduated when applying and in fact, most applicants have not. You will need to have an active RN license at least one week prior to the start date.

    I have questions about my application. Who is the best contact?
    Please refer back to your CommonSpirit Careers dashboard. This should be the most up to date information regarding your application. If a recruiter has reached out to you, they would be a great contact as well.

    When do applications open and what are the deadlines?
    Job postings open on a rolling basis. We recommend applying at least 2-3 months before your intended cohort start date. Please be aware that job postings will close once all available positions have been filled. While applications are accepted on a rolling basis, it is important to note that successful candidates will receive an offer that requires acceptance a full four weeks before their designated cohort's start date. This advance notice allows both the applicant and the program to adequately prepare for the upcoming session. See table above for specic dates.
      

  • When will I be notified of the status of my application?
    This can vary depending on many factors. Your CommonSpirit Careers dashboard is the best place to view the status of your application.

    I submitted my application but haven’t heard back. What can I do?
    The application review process for this position begins with Talent Acquisition, who initially assesses all applications received. Following this initial screening, qualified applications are then forwarded to the relevant Unit Managers for their consideration. It is important to note that the residency team does not participate in any stage of the hiring process, including the review or selection of candidates. Please consult the dashboard for updates on the progress of each application through these stages.

    I applied to multiple positions and received an email stating I wasn’t selected. Does this mean I wasn’t chosen for any position?
    The system is set up to send automatic email notications when a position you applied for is filled with another applicant. If you received this notification, it only means you were not selected for that specific position. Please check your CommonSpirit Careers dashboard for an update on other applications submitted.

    What if I am not selected for a residency position?
    These are highly sought after positions. If you are not selected, please feel free to apply for a future cohort and/or other positions.
      

  • I have heard that you can negotiate your starting wage. Is that true?
    No, HR utilizes standard pay scales based on years of experience to determine starting wages. If applying to a hospital with a union, your pay is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

    What does a nurse resident get paid?
    Our starting wages are highly competitive with the hospitals in the Puget Sound area. If offered a position, your HR recruiter will review starting wages and benefits with you.

    I have a compact state RN license (not WA). Is this acceptable for employment?
    Work with your Talent and Acquisition partner/recruiter regarding state requirements for licensure.

    How long does it take to get a Washington state RN license?
    Candidates should allow up to 8 weeks between taking and passing the NCLEX exam and their cohort’s start date to ensure RN license issuance. The Washington Department of Health typically awards an RN license two weeks after a candidate passes the NCLEX. However, if the NCLEX was taken outside of Washington, transferring the license to Washington may take an additional 4 to 6 weeks.
       

  • How many hours per week should I expect to work?
    Nurse residents should anticipate working up to 40 hours per week. The residency program is rigorous, with the preceptorship phase particularly demanding. Residents must manage Nurse Residency classes, unit orientation, and patient care shifts, potentially working consecutive days. Upon program completion, graduates will adhere to their contracted Full-Time Equivalent (FTE).

    Will I be required to work nights, weekends and holidays?
    During orientation, your unit schedule will be based on your preceptor’s schedule and training needs. Once working independently, your schedule and shifts are based on individual departments' needs.

    Is vacation time allowed during the Nurse Residency?
    During orientation, extended time off is not recommended, as residents follow their preceptor's schedule and are engaged in significant learning. Once a resident transitions to independent practice, attendance at all residency classes remains mandatory. These classes are scheduled at various times throughout the program, and it is the nurse resident's responsibility to arrange time off accordingly. Vacation hours must be accrued to take time off. Each unit has its own time-off request procedure, which will be discussed with nursing leadership upon hiring.
       

  • How does CommonSpirit support residents in the program?

    • Ongoing support with mentors for two years
    • Career coaching
    • Regular rounding with leadership throughout first year
    • Married State Preceptorship Model
    • Tiered Skills Acquisition Model

    What is the Married State Preceptor Model (MSPM) and Tiered Skills Acquisition Model (TSAM)?
    The MSPM sees preceptors working hip-to-hip with RN residents. As a new resident, you should never be left on your own, especially in the first few weeks. This model provides you a safe place to learn because you always have a preceptor with you providing real-time teaching and feedback. MSPM allows you to see your preceptors' entire flow, and allows your preceptor to see your skills and flow evolve. They are also there to help you catch and correct any missteps that may happen during the learning process.

    TSAM has residents working with all patients on an assignment at once, working from the most basic skills and assessments up to more advanced ones.

    How does CommonSpirit support their employee well-being?

    • Annual NW Nurse Well-Being Conference
    • Code Kindness
    • Lyra
    • Kaia
    • Wellbeats
    • WeightWatchers
    • PersonifyHealth incentives
    • And more!