Why Are New Grad Residency Programs So Competitive?

We need nurses at the bedside - so why is it so hard to land a position in a hospital's New Graduate Residency Program? (or as a new grad in general?)

It's a great question - and here is my input as a nurse manager who also sits on the panel at my organization's New Grad Residency Program.

Organizations can only accommodate a limited amount of new grad nurses. It takes time, effort, and resources to effectively onboard a new grad nurse. You need to have enough preceptors, educators, and classes to provide a well-rounded orientation. Residencies often provide additional mentorship and learning opportunities that require people to provide this. This is why there are select number of spots available. 

Most new grad nurses start in the hospital setting, and many opt to start in a residency program. Some hospitals only allow new grads to start in a residency instead of directly on a unit. Those hospitals that post positions directly on a unit are also competitive, because the new grad is up against experienced nurses vying for the same positions. 

So you have limited spots available and many more applicants than there are positions. The math just doesn't work out in the new grad's favor. This is why it becomes more competitive, especially when you start talking about those specialty departments too. 

When it comes to the applicants for a New Grad Residency program, well - it's all new grads. And new grads all look pretty similar on paper! Similar education, clinical experience, limited work experience, and zero time working as a registered nurse. It's easy to blend in with everyone else.

As a new grad RN, how do you stand out? How do you rise to the top and get selected for one of these coveted positions?

There are a variety of things you can do to stand out. (proactively follow-up on your application, have a stellar résumé and a personalized cover letter, provide letters of recommendation, follow-up post-interview) but THE most important factor is to prepare for your interview.

When hiring managers interview a large volume of new grad candidates in a short of window of time - it's really easy for everyone to blend together. When you blend in with everyone else, odds are much lower that you'll get that call for an offer.

This is why your time talking with those who make the hiring decisions is crucial. It's the differentiating factor where you have the opportunity to tell the recruiters and hiring managers who you are and why you're a great candidate for the position. 

This is the primary reason New Nurse Support was created. To help nurses ditch their subpar interviewing skills and become THAT candidate who stands out and makes the manager say "I want THEM." 

Put forward the effort in preparing for your new grad interviews, and it will pay off. Good luck!