GROW Strong RN
Starting your nursing career can be challenging, but Bon Secours’ GROW Strong RN nurse residency program can help. This six-month experience supports new nurses as they transition from school to real-world practice. With a focus on critical thinking, skills integration, and specialty-specific clinical tracks, GROW Strong RN provides the guidance, resources, and safe environment needed to build confidence and thrive in your first year. Network with peers, ask questions, and develop the tools you need for success.
Audience
The Core Concepts portion of the GROW Strong RN program is designed specifically for new-to-practice nurses. Clinical Practice Tracks are for new-to-practice nurses and new-to-specialty
nurses. The GROW Strong RN program offers engaging professional development, personalized support and hands-on practice through skill building exercises and simulations designed to
reinforce real-life nursing practice.
Core content
The Core Concepts portion of GROW Strong RN consists of six 90-minute sessions that help the new to practice nurse grow critical thinking and
clinical judgement while enhancing interpersonal and psychosocial skills.
Topics:
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Moral distress and ethics
- Patient care delivery and delegation
- Teamwork and communication
- Self-care and resiliency
- Patient safety
Clinical practice tracks
Specialty-Specific Clinical Practice Tracks offer a monthly four-hour session, featuring two hours of expert-led discussion and two hours of hands-on skills and simulation. These tracks enhance learning through practical experience and professional development.
Specialty specific clinical practice topics:- Critical care
- Emergency department
- Med-surg/Intermediate
- Maternal child
- Operating room (perioperative)
- Behavioral health
What to expect
Each interactive session includes professional development content and skill practice.
Core concepts (via Zoom):
- 55-minute content discussion
- 30-minute clinical reflection on case scenarios
and mentoring
Clinical practice tracks (market level):
- 2-hour market-specific didactic discussion
- 2-hour hands-on skills and simulation
Learning objectives
During the GROW Strong RN program, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the role of the RN in delegation and supervision when working with members of the nursing team including RNs, LPNs and UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel)
- State the importance of caring for self by incorporating the methods of self-care and resiliency
- Identify emotional intelligence skills and strategies to support new to practice nurses’ successful transition into a professional nursing role
- Define Moral Distress and identify coping skills and Bon Secours resources
- Discuss what it takes to create effective teams and work in a team setting and what role the new to practice RN has within that team
- Identify Ethics resources that are offered through the ministry
- Discuss key measures for patient safety and identify Bon Secours resources
- Apply learnings of key specialty specific topics to real-life nursing practice
Eligibility
New to practice professional registered nurses who are graduates of an accredited nursing program, with graduation date less than 1 year, and are moving into their first professional nursing position in an acute care setting.
How to Apply
Get started by visiting our careers page and applying for an open RN – New Graduate position.
Positions are available in Maryland, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Virginia.
FAQs
Who is eligible for GROW Strong RN?
New to practice nurses who are graduates of an accredited nursing program, with graduation date < 1 year, and are moving into their first professional nursing position in an acute care setting.
How do I apply for GROW Strong RN?
Visit careers.bonsecours.com and apply for the open New Graduate Nurse job position.
If I have experience as a RN, will I need to participate in the GROW Strong RN?
The Nurse Residency Program is intended for new to practice RNs who are newly graduated and have not worked as a RN in any capacity. As an experienced RN, we have many opportunities that may interest you.
How long is the program?
It is a 12-month program with one 4-hour session per month.
Am I required to attend all 12 program sessions?
Yes, you are expected to attend all 12 sessions. You will need 100% attendance if you intend to apply into the clinical ladder program immediately following completion of the residency program.
If I miss a session, will I have an opportunity to make it up?
It is highly recommended that you attend the classes as scheduled, especially because you will want to participate with your cohort. However, in an emergent situation, we will attempt to schedule you for an alternate session. Please let us know as soon as possible if such a situation arises.
What will we experience during sessions?
No more lectures! Our sessions are interactive and informative! You will have the opportunity to participate in group discussions, networking activities, and hands-on demonstrations. You will also have the opportunity to complete an evidence-based practice project of your choice.
Will I be able to gain experience in specialty areas during the NRP?
Along with participation in residency sessions, you will complete nursing orientation, be validated in appropriate competencies, and participate in skills fairs and classes in your areas of interest, such as:
- Critical Care Course
- Certification preparation courses
- Leadership courses
If I am hired as a RN Resident, will I be paid and eligible for benefits?
Yes, most RNs are hired into a full-time, 0.8 or 0.9 FTE position. As a full-time employee, you are eligible for and may take advantage of employee benefits including health, dental, and much more! In addition, RNs who accept employment on a designated medical/surgical unit are eligible for our Student Loan Employer Contribution Program. Ask a recruiter for more details!
If hired as a RN Resident, what shifts and/or hours will I work?
If you are offered a job as RN Resident, the shift and hours will be discussed during the offer.
Do you offer shift and weekend differentials to new-to-practice RNs?
Yes, if you are hired into a position that is eligible for shift differential, then you will receive the appropriate
differential for the shift that you work
Can I take vacation or leave while in the GROW Strong RN program?
Yes. Leave time is accrued each pay period and can be used for vacation. Leave should be scheduled
with your manager when at all possible.
What if I haven’t taken the NCLEX or do not yet have my results? Can I still be hired into the GROW Strong RN program?
While you can be hired with your RNA letter in Bon Secours Virginia, you will not be able to enter a
Nurse Residency Program cohort until you have passed the NCLEX and have your license.
In South Carolina, Kentucky, and Maryland, you must have your RN license in order to start a position
with us.
What if I have taken NCLEX but did not pass?
If you are hired into a RN position in Bon Secours Virginia with your RNA letter and did not pass the
NCLEX, you will be transitioned into a Patient Care Technician position while you study and wait to retest.