Graduate Nurse
Residency Program

Registered Nurse First Year Residency Program


CentraCare has a unique and extremely popular New Graduate Nurse Residency Program that provides support resources to the Graduate RN as you transition from school to professional nurse. You'll be hired into a regular, permanent RN position and wage, but also enjoy the added benefits this program offers.

CentraCare hires new graduate RNs into the Graduate Nurse Residency Program throughout the year depending on the availability of RN positions that consider new graduate candidates. Applicants are considered new graduate RNs until they have more than 12 months of nursing experience. 

We recommend applying during your last semester of your nursing program.  There is no deadline for applying. Our program is among the best in the country for new RNs. The program is offered in Long Prairie, Melrose, Paynesville, Sauk Centre, Willmar, and St. Cloud Hospital.
Program Purpose

The purpose of this program is to improve the transition from student to professional nurse by supporting the new graduate professionally during the first year of nursing.

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The objectives of the program are for its members to:

  • Develop essential communication skills.
  • Become a proficient member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
  • Adopt wellness activities to promote resilience and a healthy work/life balance.
  • Practice evidence-based nursing care to formulate and implement decisions centered around high-quality care for patients, families and communities.
  • Embrace ever-changing health priorities through commitment to lifelong learning and reflective practices.
  • Create a safe, caring environment built upon ethical practices and professional values to address health disparities in diverse patient populations.

Application Process Details


Placement is dependent on interview preferences for units and hours, references, work history and experience, clinical student experiences and open positions.


A formal application process is required and includes the following steps:

  1. Submit an application to the Graduate Nurse Residency Program. Apply for the Program here!
  2. Once you complete an online application a recruiter will review your application and connect with you to complete a phone interview. You will also receive an e-mail with directions on how to provide two references from nursing faculty and one reference from a previous or current employer.
  3. Depending on your department and schedule preference — as well as our department availability — you will then be chosen to interview with the hiring manager.
  4. If you are not selected for a position, you will receive an e-mail from our team. If you are selected, you will receive a phone call to discuss the offer.


Contacts: 

For additional application information, contact Maria Lang at Maria.Lang@centracare.com.

For additional program-specific information, contact Lora Gullette at gullettel@centracare.com.

Questions You May Have