Sharp HealthCare Nurse Residency Program
Are you a recent or soon-to-be nurse graduate looking for the perfect place to kickstart your RN career? You are in the right place!
On this page, you will find:
- Nurse Residency Program overview
- Information on current/upcoming cohort
- Program Information FAQ
- Application Process FAQ
After reviewing all the information on this page, if you have more questions, please reach out to us at newgradRN@sharp.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Spring 2027 Cohort(s)
Exciting News! The application window for the Spring 2027 cohort of the Sharp HealthCare Nurse Residency Program are just around the corner!
The Virtual Forum has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th, at 2:30pm. REGISTER HERE.
- The forum is an opportunity to hear information about the program, hospitals hiring in this cohort, and application/process information
- Hear directly from the experts, and have the opportunity to ask your questions about the program or application!
- Register for the event here:
- TIP: even if you can't make it to the event, we recommend you register so you are enrolled to receive the information packet circulated after the event
Applications for the Spring 2027 Sharp HealthCare Nurse Residency Program will be open from November 10th - 13th (November 3rd - 13th for current Sharp team members).
Fall 2026/Winter 2027 Cohort(s)
The application windows have closed for all of our Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 cohorts.
All hiring decisions for the Fall 2026 cohort have been made.
The selection process will take place in October and November for the Winter 2027 Metropolitan Medical Campus cohort.
for the Fall 2026 Cohort at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center has closed. Interviews are currently taking place, and hiring decisions are expected to be made on or before October 9th.
Looking ahead: Summer 2027 and beyond
If the Spring 2027 cohort does not align with your graduation timeline, fret not! Sign up using this form to receive updates about the Summer and Fall 2027 cohorts when we have those details: INTEREST FORM LINK
These updates can include (but are not limited to):
- Cohort hospital participation updates
- Registration links for virtual information session ahead of application period
- Cohort timelines (including application date, interview period, estimated start date)
- Application link(s) when available
Keep scrolling to find our program and application FAQs, and we look forward to receiving your application!
Curious to learn more about our program?
Moving from the classroom to the patient room is where the real work begins, but the learning never ends. At Sharp, we’ve designed a program that provides a flexible, supportive environment for our nurse residents to help build the confidence you need to become the best nurse you can be.
Sharp HealthCare’s New Graduate Nurse Residency Program has earned accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP). This recognition confirms that the program meets the ANCC PTAP’s rigorous, evidence-based standards for excellence in supporting nurses’ transition into practice. Nurse residents in our program experience curricula that promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Our comprehensive one-year program offers challenging and inspiring experiences for our nurse residents, including:
- Celebrations for key milestones
- Classroom and simulation curriculum lessons
- Clinical and interprofessional experiences
- Individualized orientations
- Ongoing professional development
- Peer group support with fellow nurse residents
- Reflection learning, journaling, and self-care
- Support from mentors
Visit the California Board of Registered Nursing license application
Hear from current nurses to learn more about Sharp
Program Information - Frequently Asked Questions
- When does Sharp HealthCare hire nurse residents?
We hire Nurse Residents (new grads) in cohorts, approximately three times a year. We typically have start dates in Spring, Summer, and Fall. For more information on our upcoming cohort, refer to the top of this page.
- Which units hire nurse residents?
Many units across our acute and specialty hospitals hire nurse residents each cohort. These can include acute care, progressive care, observation, rehab, emergency, women/maternal health, and critical care. The list of exactly which units and hospitals will be hiring for the upcoming cohort will be published alongside the job posting for the Nurse Residency Program.
- What are the eligibility requirements for the Nurse Residency Program?
Our program has several eligibility requirements: you must have graduated from a U.S. state-approved and accredited nursing program (with graduation no more than 18 months prior to the residency program start); you must have a current, unencumbered California RN license by the program start date; you must have a current BLS certification from the AHA; and you must have less than 12 months RN work experience by the program start date. Check the job posting for each cohort to confirm the requirements, as these may vary across units.
- Can I apply for a new grad position in the Nurse Residency Program before I get my RN license?
Yes, you can apply before you have your California RN license and before you have graduated. However, you will need to have your California RN license by the start of the program. Please read the description of each program for specific start dates as this will vary. We can accept your application so long as you can reasonably expect to complete your schooling and achieve your full RN license before the program start date.
- I am a newly graduated RN and work as a nurse elsewhere. Am I still eligible to apply for the program?
To be eligible for our new graduate program, you must have less than 12 months of paid RN experience by the program's start date. Once accepted into Sharp's Nurse Residency Program, nurse residents are not eligible to apply to another position within the program.
- I am a current Sharp employee. Do I need to apply through the Nurse Residency Program?
Yes, Sharp employees must complete the Nurse Residency application process in order to be considered for a new grad RN position. Employees can access the posting when it is live via the Employee Job Search found on the Careers homepage.
- Do I need to be a California resident to apply?
Out-of-state candidates are eligible to apply for the program if they meet the position/program requirements.
- Can I apply for other RN positions at Sharp Healthcare, such as clinical nurse openings?
Nurses with less than 1 year of clinical RN experience by the time of program start date should apply through the Nurse Residency Program. Other clinical nurse openings that are not clearly indicated to be New Grad/Nurse Residency Program positions are for RNs with more than 1 year of clinical RN experience only. The Nurse Residency Program is designed to help you achieve the competencies to be successful in your career and gain that robust experience! Once accepted into the Nurse Residency Program, nurse residents are not eligible to apply to another position within the program.
- Can I apply for other RN positions at Sharp Healthcare if I am currently in the Nurse Residency Program?
Congratulations on being selected as one of our Nurse Residents! For the duration of your Nurse Residency Program, you are not eligible to apply for another position until the completion of your program.
Application Process - Frequently Asked Questions
- What documents do I need to submit with my application?
All prospective nurse resident applicants must complete an online application and submit a resume. Cover letters and letters of recommendation are recommended, but not required.
- Where can I upload my cover letter and letters of recommendation while filling out my application?
Since they are not required, the cover letter and letters of recommendation do not have dedicated upload slots in the application. You may attach any documents, including cover letter and letters of rec, to the resume section of the application.
- Can I email or fax my application packet?
We are unable to accept documents in person, by regular/certified mail, fax, or email. All applications must be received online through our application portal, accessible through our Careers home page.
- How can I confirm you received all of my application documents?
If you have an active application in the system, you can view your submitted documents by checking your attachments in your candidate profile. If you have any quetions or want to confirm, you can reach out to our Nurse Residency Talent Acquisition Specialist at Sophie.Weeks@sharp.com
- How do I update or add documents (resume, certifications, licensure etc.) after I have submitted by application?
Unfortunately, there is no way to make changes to your application once it has been submitted. If you have updated your resume or have obtained certifications of your license after applying, we recommend that you provide this information to the hiring team if you are contacted for an interview. We also recommend bringing an updated resume with you to the interview to ensure the hiring team has your current information.
- Do I need to resubmit my application and documents if I have already submitted them in the last 12 months?
Yes, applications are not moved from one cohort to another, so you will need to resubmit a new application and all accompanying attachments for each cohort you apply for.
- Do I apply for each unit I want to be considered for? Or is there one application for the entire program?
Each cohort of the Nurse Residency Program will have one application. During the application, you will select your preferred unit from the list of available units, and one alternate.
- Will my application be considered for both my preferred and alternate programs of interest?
If eligible (review the requirements for each individual unit in the job posting for the NRP), your application will be considered for the unit you selected as your preferred program of interest. In the event your preferred program opts not to move forward with your candidacy, or their new grad seats are canceled, then we will do our best to forward your application to your alternate program of choice, or a similar unit. Your application is not guaranteed to be reviewed by your alternate program of choice.
- Why are some units not available for selection as my alternate program of choice?
Due to the high volume of applications received by more specialized, higher level of care units, these units are only available for selection as your preferred program, and not alternate. These units include ICU, ED, L&D, etc.
- Can I submit multiple applications to be considered for more units?
No, we only accept one application per candidate per cohort.