Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Program

Transition to Practice Nurse Residency Program

The Elliot Hospital is proud to provide new graduate nurses with a residency program designed to support your transition to professional practice.

Our mission is to nurture the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to acute care professional nursing practice by building on your academic knowledge. Clinical nurse educators will provide an open and supportive environment, incorporating learning strategies designed to refine your critical thinking and clinical reasoning.  Experienced staff nurses and unit leaders will work together to ensure that you feel supported during your role transition and prepared to care for patients with challenging and complicated healthcare issues.

Throughout the first year, you will learn and grow with other new graduate RNs in both general and specialty education sessions.

Through the Transition to Practice Residency program, we commit to the professional development of our new nurses and hope to inspire a love for the art and science of professional nursing practice.

For more information, call the Department of Clinical Education/Professional Development at 603-663-4450.

  • Trained nurse preceptors who guide your unit orientation
  • Classroom discussions led by experienced nurse educators that enhance clinical knowledge and critical thinking
  • Case studies that provide real-life examples of medical issues faced by patients on your units
  • Skill review sessions that allow another chance for “hands-on” practice
  • Online learning programs and computer simulations that supplement skill development
  • High- and low-fidelity simulations that provide a safe environment to practice and refine clinical skill, decision-making and prioritization
  • Debriefing sessions with other new graduate RNs that encourage and support reflective practice and successful role transition
  • One-on-one sessions with educators and unit leaders designed to identify distinct learning needs and experiences that lead to successful role transition

  • Graduate from an accredited nursing degree program, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) required
  • Newly licensed or temporary licensed in New Hampshire, with successful completion of NCLEX within 90 days
  • Licensed RNs with less than six months of experience in professional practice

  • Select Inpatient Units, Medical, Post-Surgical, Pediatric, Neonatal, Intermediate and Critical Care
  • Select Perioperative/Procedural areas
  • Select Emergency Services

Available Graduate Nursing Opportunities

What our nurse residents are saying...

“Transitioning into my role as a new grad was very smooth for me. I felt as though I always had support on my unit, whether it was from our charge nurses or my fellow peers. I was always able to ask for help when I needed it. It is reassuring to work with such a great team of nurses on Fuller Unit and TJU. It was nerve-racking coming off of orientation, however, I knew the preceptors had prepared me and I was ready to learn more on my own. I cannot thank my peers enough for their support and encouragement. The staff we work with at The Elliot are amazing. Of course, there are tough days, but I know I always have the support of my peers to get through it.“

“Stepping into the nursing profession as a new grad is scary, especially in the midst of a pandemic. The orientation process on the Fitch Unit helps you transition into the field in a way that eases those fears and builds your confidence as a nurse. Experienced nurses guide you through the shift and teach you the expectations, charting needs, patient cares/tasks, communication skills, and so much more. You will start with a single patient and work your way up to managing a full patient load, allowing you time to perfect your skills first and then learn time management. You will also get to learn from your preceptor as you watch how they complete their assessments and tasks and manage their time. By the end of the orientation period, you will feel comfortable managing a full patient load, communicating with the interprofessional team, completing head-to-toe assessments, being an advocate for your patients, and completing the many tasks of the nurse. After orientation, the help does not go away. One of the best parts about the Fitch Unit is the staff. Everyone is part of the team and willing to teach one another. The orientation program on the Fitch Unit will give you the nursing skills necessary to be a great nurse that will stay with you no matter where you go in the future.”

“I’m glad I started my nursing career in Elliot's new grad program. It helped me become more comfortable with my nursing skills as well as advance my skills in things that I hadn't done before. With the three-month orientation process that rotates you through each shift with a qualified preceptor, to the extra classes new grads take throughout their first year, everything done in the new grad program is to help new nurses become comfortable with their skills. Even when you are on your own, the other nurses around you are more than willing to help with any questions you have.”