Programs: Nurse Residency Program
The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Nurse Residency Program supports newly licensed registered nurses (RNs) as they transition to practice to one of our 21 Northern California medical centers. The program consists of a comprehensive evidence-based clinical orientation in addition to nursing professional development transition to practice curriculum.
Timeline
We’re often asked about upcoming application and cohort dates. Please know that we’ll share timing information on this website as soon as it becomes available.
Upcoming Cohort Dates
| Cohort | Application Posted | Cohort Start Date |
|---|
| Winter Cohort 7 | Closed | 12/4/2023 |
| Spring Cohort 8 | Closed | 3/11/2024 |
| Summer Cohort 9 | Closed | 7/1/2024 |
| Fall Cohort 10 | Closed | 9/23/2024 |
Please note that this is a approximate start date for cohort 10.
Informational Webinars
Check here for upcoming webinars.
Previous Nurse Residency webinars:
- Cohort 10 webinar for applicants recording (2024)
- Cohort 10 webinar for applicants deck (2024)
- Cohort 8 Webinar for Applicants recording (2023)
Eligibility
Applicants must have:
- An active California RN license (interim permits cannot be accepted).
- Completion of an accredited pre-licensure nursing program (prefer within the last 12 months).
- No prior inpatient (acute care) RN experience.
- Not currently in another residency program.
Program Details
- Nurse residents are trained in our inpatient Medical/Surgical and Telemetry units.
- Nurse residents will be required to complete each of the components of the program (including didactic, skills enhancement, simulation, and an EBP project) and attend all 12 monthly transition-to-practice program courses to graduate.
Employment
- Nurse residents are hired as a Staff Nurse I into a benefited position at one of our 21 medical centers.
- After the initial precepted period (first 12 weeks), residents will be placed into a regular benefited Staff Nurse position on day, evening, or night shift in the medical center where they trained, and complete the remainder of their transition-to-practice program including completion of an evidence-based practice project by the end of their first year of employment.
Compensation and Benefits
- Starting pay in 2024 is $77.16/hr and increases to $81.02 after six months of employment.
- Earn industry-leading salary and benefits including full health, dental, vision, 401k, pension, health care retirement fund, and more.
Application and Interview Process
- We hire about 100 candidates for each cohort.
- Considerations are given to eligible KP employees who apply to the program as well as external candidates based on their academic background, KP internship/externship/clinical rotation experience, and their passion to work in a health care system that respects diversity with an emphasis on patient-focused care.
- Based on competitiveness of the application cycle, we also consider the following factors:
- Completion of an EKG class that is designed for registered nurses and/or healthcare professionals
- A current AHA-ACLS certification
- Letter of recommendation with a focus on clinical competencies and professionalism
Top candidates will be invited to a virtual group interview where they will be required to prepare a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation that articulates their personal and professional journey toward becoming a nurse. This presentation will be presented in front of a group of 6 fellow applicants and KP nurse leaders.
Make your application more competitive
Consider working at Kaiser Permanente as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) as you complete nursing school.
- Learn more about our PCT opportunities.
- Available PCT jobs (posted weekly).
