RN Residency Program Application and Selection Process

Thank you for your interest in nursing opportunities at Cottage Health. We will be onboarding RN Residents in 4 cohorts in 2026. We are considering both new graduate nurses and nurses with limited or no acute care experience for this structured, supportive program. Your CA RN license can be pending at the time of application but MUST be fully active by the program start date; interim permits are not considered.

Click this link and search for RN Residency Program once the application is open

RN Residency Program Structure - New Graduates and Transition to Acute Care Nurses

Cottage Health is proud to provide new graduate and transition to acute care nurses with an 8-month training program that is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialling Center’s (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP).

The program combines classroom instruction, simulation-based skills, clinical placement with a preceptor, and mentorship opportunities.

In alignment with the PTAP standards and our commitment to nursing excellence, the Cottage Health RN Residency Program provides a supportive environment that fosters role development, competence, and confidence to successfully transition new nurses to independent clinical practice.

Program Eligibility Criteria

• CA RN License- Can be pending at the time of application but must be fully active by program start date
• Interim permits are not considered
• New graduate nurses-Graduation from an accredited academic program within 1 year
• Experienced nurses with little or no acute care experience OR who have been away from acute care for more than 12 months.