New-Graduate Registered Nurse Residency Program
A Magnet Designated Teaching Institution
Cedars-Sinai is Southern California's longest-running Magnet-designation hospital with six consecutive designations.
ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program
Cedars Sinai was recognized, with Distinction, by the ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) – the highest recognition awarded by the program. PTAP is recognized as the gold standard internationally for residency and fellowship programs that transition nurses into new practice settings. The Geri and Richard Brawerman Nursing Institute at Cedars-Sinai developed the New Graduate RN Residency Program as part of its commitment to ensuring the successful transition of new graduate nurses into the practice environment.
We have several new-graduate nurse programs per year; shortly before each cohort, we'll post positions on this career site. Please apply to the appropriate position and make sure you will have your California Registered Nurse license before the program begins.
New-Grad Team Members
Sr. Talent Advisor
Program Dates
We host approximately three cohorts per year. Email us for more information about our program dates at NewGradInfo@cshs.org.
NewGradInfo@cshs.orGOur Program Guidelines
The New-Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) Residency Program is a full-time employment opportunity. The program lasts approximately one year and consists of 13 didactic and interactive workshops spread throughout the year. Also integrated into this program are eight weeks (24 shifts) of precepted clinical orientation. You will be supported by unit leadership, educators and advanced practice nurses during your time in the program.
As a member of the program, you will complete one week of general hospital introduction, new employee orientation and training on the electronic medical record system. The following week introduces nurse resident to the New-Graduate RN Residency Program.
On the second week, you will begin your 8-week (24 shifts) precepted clinical orientation within your assigned unit. You will work the same schedule as your preceptor, with efforts made to accommodate your desired shift, if possible. After this, you will be placed in a permanent assignment within your assigned nursing unit. Workshops will continue throughout the year in which you will receive a combination of didactic learning, hands-on skills training, simulated experiences, group work/projects, support rounds, and group discussion. You will be eligible to apply for transfer to specialty internships or other divisions after you finish the residency program and have one year of experience on your assigned unit.
Requirements to qualify for the New Graduate Nurses Program:
- You must have a current and active California registered nurse license before the application date.
- You must have less than nine months paid registered nurse experience on the application date.
- You must have a 3.0 nursing GPA or above.
- External applicants must have at least a ADN Degree from an accredited program (CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ACS WASC – Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and College, or ACEN – American Commission for Nursing Education) obtained in the United States.
- You must have completed your nursing program within the last 12 months by the application date.
- You need a current and active life support certification for healthcare providers (BLS and/or ACLS) as required by the specialty unit from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
A complete application will include:
- Online Application
- Resume (include information on clinical rotation hours (Facility, Unit, Hours)
- Personal Statement Letter - why you selected nursing as a profession, what being a nurse means to you and what you will bring to the profession of nursing at Cedars-Sinai. This is your opportunity to help us get to know you beyond what is on your resume. The personal statement should not exceed two pages.
- Transcripts including graduation or completion date (official or unofficial)
- Two letters of recommendation
We can only consider applications that have all of the above included. If your application is incomplete, we will not consider it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply without a California RN license?- Show detail
No, you must have a valid California RN license by the application date.
How many new grads does Cedars-Sinai take?- Show detail
The number of new grads in each cohort varies as it is dependent on the needs of the organization and how many new grad units feel they can support.
What Units will be accepting new grads?- Show detail
Units accept new grads based on needs and the number of new grads the department feels that they can support. It is different for every cohort. The list of units accepting will be posted at the end of the application. You will select your top two choices.
Do I get to choose my shift preference? - Show detail
Shift preferences are based on the needs of hiring manager.
What unit receives the least applicants?- Show detail
Unit applicant counts vary. We recommend you select the specialty you have the most experience in; that is the area you will best be able to speak on during an interview.
To whom should my cover letter be addressed?- Show detail
To Whom It May Concern. There will be multiple recruiters and hiring managers who read your application and therefore do not recommend addressing it to one person.
My letters of recommendation would like to mail you their letters. Where should I send them?- Show detail
We are not accepting letters of recommendation sent through the mail. They should all be uploaded with all other documents at the time you apply.
Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?- Show detail
- Professors
- Clinical Faculty
- Clinical Liaisons
- A current clinical manager if working in a healthcare environment
All of these are acceptable for letters of recommendation and none are necessarily better than others. You ultimately want to pick the people who will be able to best speak on who you will be as a future nurse.
What if I have more than 2 letters of recommendation?- Show detail
Please pick your top two choices to upload.
What documents do I need to submit when I apply?- Show detail
- a. Cover letter/Personal Statement
- Resume – be sure to include your clinical rotations. We want to know the hospital you were at, specialty, number of hours you spent on each rotation and which semester you completed each rotation.
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts (official/un-official are both accepted)
- Nursing Degree
- CA RN License
- Certifications BLS/ACLS/PALS
What should I include in my cover letter/Personal Statement?- Show detail
The personal statement should include: why you selected nursing as a profession, what being a nurse means to you, and what you will bring to the profession of nursing at Cedars-Sinai. This is your opportunity to help us get to know you beyond what is on your resume. The personal statement should not exceed two pages.
What life support certifications for healthcare providers do I need?- Show detail
You need a current and active life support certification for healthcare providers (BLS and/or ACLS) as required by the specialty unit from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
How long is the program? Is it paid?- Show detail
This is a paid one-year new graduate nurse residency program.
My program allows me to take the NCLEX before I receive my degree. Can I still apply even if I will not receive my diploma until I complete the second portion of my program?- Show detail
No, at this time you must have graduated with a diploma from an accredited nursing program with either your ADN, BSN or MSN.
Is the program only for only Cedars-Sinai or does it include other locations as well?- Show detail
This page covers the details of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center New-Grad Nurse Residency program.
What resume tips do you have?- Show detail
We recommend selecting a simple resume template that is easy to follow. Avoid resumes that utilize text boxes or colorful fonts. Resumes that utilize these features typically look nice at a glance but can often be difficult to find the necessary information.
Do NOT put anything personal of yourself on your resume. (i.e., picture, DOB, gender, height, weight etc.) We want to focus on your experience and who you will be as a future nurse.
How much will I get paid?- Show detail
We offer new-graduate nurses a fixed rate based on their education and a shift-differential based on when they are working.
- For those with an Associate's Degree in Nursing we pay $46.00 per hour.
- For those with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing we pay $47.50 per hour.
- For those with a Master's Degree in Nursing we pay $49.00
For all of these rates we add a shift differential based on when you work. We add:
- $5 per hour when you work Saturday or Sunday.
- $7 per hour when you work Monday - Thursday nights
- $9 per hour when you work on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights