VHC Health Sets a New Standard for Nurse Residency Excellence!
VHC Health’s Nurse Residency Program has earned PTAP Accreditation with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the highest level of recognition awarded through the ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP). VHC Health is proud to be the first hospital in Northern Virginia to achieve this accreditation, building on our distinction as the first PTAP-accredited nurse residency program in Northern Virginia when we initially earned accreditation four years ago. This national recognition reflects VHC Health’s commitment to providing new graduate nurses with a strong transition-to-practice experience, meaningful professional development and the support they need to build confidence and grow their nursing careers.
Our New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is designed to give you the support, education and hands-on experience you need to confidently transition from nursing school into professional practice. Through a structured preceptorship on your home unit and monthly cohort sessions, you’ll develop clinical reasoning, decision-making, leadership and evidence-based practice skills while learning alongside other new graduate nurses. Experienced preceptors, nursing leaders, Staff Development Specialists and Advanced Practice Nurses will support you throughout the approximately one-year, paid residency program and beyond. With two residency entries each year, VHC Health provides a supportive, collaborative environment where new nurses can build their skills, grow their confidence and begin a rewarding nursing career.
About Us: Located in Arlington, Virginia, VHC Health is a 548-bed, independent, not-for-profit health system and nationally recognized teaching hospital. We have proudly served the Washington, DC metropolitan community for more than 75 years. Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in Virginia and the region, VHC Health has earned recognition as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Employer and a 2025 Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. We also hold the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. As a Level II Trauma Center, we are committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care when it matters most.
New Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) Residency
VHC Health Nurse Residency Program is based on the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program™. The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is designed to effectively support new nurse graduates as they transition into their first professional roles. Built on an evidence-based curriculum developed by experts from academic medical centers and nursing schools across the country, the program focuses on three critical areas: leadership, patient outcomes, and professional role.
Spring 2027 Units Hiring:
Purpose & Scope:
Across all levels, the registered professional nurse is responsible for the direct and indirect total nursing care of their assigned patients. The RN is also responsible for the supervision of assigned personnel. The position requires knowledge of both department and hospital policies and procedures relevant to the delivery of nursing care. Interpretive skills, frequent interactive and consultative associations, along with management and supervisory skills are inherent in the position. The ability to retrieve, communicate or otherwise present information in a written, auditory or visual fashion is essential. The primary method to express or exchange ideas is through the spoken word. Written, telephone, and manual dexterity skills are required for this position.
Education:
Associate's in Nursing Required or,
Bachelor's in Nursing Required
Experience:
New Graduate: under one year of Nursing/Patient Care in an acute care setting
Certification/Licensure:
Licensed as a Registered Nurse by the Virginia Department of Health Professions required or,
Compact State Licensure in Nursing required
BLS certification required
Registered Nurses on designated units are required to maintain certain certifications. New to practice area nurses or new graduates have 1 year to complete the specialty requirements below.
ACLS: ED, ICU, CVICU/CVSD, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Bronch Suite, Interventional Radiology, Radiology Safety Nurses, 6A, 6B, 7A, 8B, Labor and Delivery, Hemodialysis, Respiratory Therapy, Supplemental Pool Telemetry Nurses, GI Unit, and PACU
PALS: PACU: Pediatric Nurses, ED
NRP: NICU, Mother Baby, Labor and Delivery
De-escalation training: BHU, ED
ACLS or PALS cards stand as showing competence in BLS Skills per American Heart Association Guidelines. If an employee holds current ACLS or PALS certification, this meets the requirement for BLS in their job description. They do not need to also carry a separate BLS certification.
Physical Requirements:
Patient Care: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential function of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions: The employee must possess physical capabilities in an amount equal to the physical demands made in the performance of the job by: Very hard work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Cope with the mental and emotional stress associated with this position. Operate office machines safely and in accordance with hospital Safety Standards. Push patients on stretchers, wheelchairs or beds from one area to another. Bending: lowering the body forward from the waist. Stooping: bending body forward and downward by bending legs and spine at the waist through use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Kneeling: bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee or knees. Crouching: bending body downward and forward by bending legs and spine. Twisting: moving body from waist, using a turning motion. Reaching: extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Standing: assuming an upright position, on the feet particularly, for sustained periods of time. Walking: moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances. Pushing/Pulling: using upper extremities to press or drag objects in a sustained motion of 30-50 pounds. Lifting: raising objects and people from a lower to higher position or moving objects or people horizontally from position-to-position through the use of the upper extremities and back muscles, of between 50-100 pounds. Repetitive Motions: sustained and continuous movements of the wrist, hands and/or fingers; Finger Dexterity: feeling and grasping. Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word those activities in which detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed accurately, loudly or quickly. Visual Acuity: the power to see at a level which allows reading of numbers and text, operation of equipment, inspections of machines, etc. Able to perform components of Basic Life Support if applicable.
Working Conditions:
Patient Care: Works in well-lighted/ventilated office/clinical setting. Subject to frequent interruptions. Subject to long hours, changing shifts. May be required to work beyond normal working hours when requested to do so, e.g., overtime, on call. Routine occupational exposure to infectious diseases, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids, hazardous chemicals, noxious odors, latex, and/or musculoskeletal injuries. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed for instances of exposure to blood, body fluids and infectious processes, and are supplied by the hospital. Involved with patients, family members, co-workers, and visitors under all conditions, e.g. hostile and/or emotionally upset, disoriented or combative.
Pay & Benefits: Commensurate with experience. Team members are eligible to receive benefits on the first day of the month following the date of hire, with 30 days to apply for benefits of choice.