Riverside is committed to the success and professional development of our nurses. To support this commitment, we are proud to deliver Nurse Residency Program (NRP) which is a structured, first-year onboarding, clinical preceptorship, and professional development program for new graduate nurses (nurse residents). Through a supportive, structured, and evidence-based experience, the NRP bridges the gap between nursing school and real-world practice. The program blends orientation, precepted clinical experience, professional development seminars, and peer support—helping our nurse residents feel confident, capable, and connected from day one.
About the Nurse Residency Program
Riverside proudly partners with Vizient and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to deliver a nationally recognized residency model grounded in best practice. Participation in NRP is automatic for all newly graduated nurses hired into Riverside acute care units—because supporting our nurse residents isn’t optional, it’s essential.
The NRP at Riverside Health is provided to all new graduate nurses (NGNs) with less than one year of experience who are hired for one of our acute care facilities:
- Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA
- Riverside Mental Health and Recover Center in Hampton, VA
- Riverside Doctor’s Hospital Williamsburg in Williamsburg, VA
- Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, VA
- Riverside Smithfield Hospital in Smithfield, VA
- Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock, VA
Advancing Skills and Leadership Potential
Leveraging skills from AACN's Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021), the Nurse Residency Program is uniquely informed on the preparation of nurses and the competencies they possess upon graduation.
The Nurse Residency Program exists to help nurse residents successfully navigate the transition from student to confident professional nurse. We focus on building confidence, competence, and connection by supporting nurse residents in:
- Making effective, safe clinical decisions at the bedside
- Developing leadership skills at the point of care
- Applying evidence-based research to real patient scenarios
- Strengthening professional identity and long-term commitment to nursing
- Creating meaningful, individualized professional development plans
The Nurse Residency Program does not require a separate application process—it is part of first-year onboarding. Riverside Health invests in the Nurse Residency Program because it is a best practice, a retention strategy, and a commitment to nursing excellence. This investment reflects Riverside’s mission to care for others as we would care for those we love, including our newest nurses.
The Nurse Residency Program helps newly graduated RNs in their first professional role transition to the fast-paced hospital environment. The program also prepares newly graduated RNs to:
- Care for patients with increasing levels of acuity and complexity in the hospital setting, while improving patient safety and quality of care.
- Develop clinical nursing leadership skills at the point of care.
- Foster critical thinking skills and bring evidence-based practice to the bedside.
- Strengthen commitment to the nursing profession and develop individual career goals.
- Facilitate clinical and leadership skills necessary for newly graduated nurses to be a successful member of the health care team.
Remember, there is no separate application process for the Nurse Residency Program. We offer this program to everyone that meets the criteria listed above. To participate in the Nurse Residency Program, the first step is to apply and accept a position in acute care nursing.
Learn more about Riverside Health Nursing Careers here.
More information
Susan Donston, MSA, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN
Nurse Residency Program Director
Nursing Excellence and Professional Development
[email protected]
757-534-9473
Brittany Snapp, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, RNC-MNN, EMT-B
Nurse Residency Program Coordinator
Nursing Excellence and Professional Development
[email protected]
757-534-9532
Amanda “Mandy” Stubbs, MSN-Ed., MBA, RN, NPD-BC
Nurse Residency Program Coordinator
Nursing Excellence and Professional Development
[email protected]
757-534-9437