Get Involved
Have a voice and join a council with your colleagues
Nursing Professional Governance and The ChristianaCare Way serve as the foundation of our professional practice model and feed the growth of our relationship-based nursing practice. At ChristianaCare, the engagement of our clinical nursing caregivers in the design, evaluation and sustainment of practice is paramount to the mission and vision of our department. We accomplish this through nursing practice councils and nursing system councils, including:
- Professional Nurse Council
- Education, Development and Advancement Council
- Off-Shift Support Council
- Workforce Connection Council
- APRN Council
- Quality and Safety Council
- Technology and Innovation Council
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council
- Executive Council
- Administrative Council
- Nursing Value Council
Professional Development
ChristianaCare is committed to providing ongoing professional development for our staff. We currently offer the following benefits to ChristianaCare RNs:
- Lippincott® Learning with over 2000 CE opportunities
- Nursing Professional Advancement clinical ladder promotion
- Pre-pay undergraduate degree options
- Graduate degree scholarship programs
- Health system tuition reimbursement program
- Preceptor development, charge nurse support and mentoring program
- Professional certification support and promotion
Student Nurse Externships
ChristianaCare offers a paid Student Nurse Externship (SNE) position for student nurses. This position is continuous and is offered year-round. This is an excellent way to gain insightful experience into working in an acute care setting as a professional nurse. The SNE role is similar to a Patient Care Technician in completing basic patient care, monitoring vital signs, blood glucose testing, and hygiene and comfort measures under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Note: Our Externships are not for summer only or winter only.
The Student Nurse Extern (SNE) Program at ChristianaCare provides RN nursing students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience working in an acute care or primary care setting. As a member of the patient’s health care team, SNEs work alongside registered nurses, delivering high-quality care with love and excellence.
SNEs work as Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) and perform tasks as delegated by the Registered Nurse.
The position is casual, only requiring a commitment of 16 hours every two weeks with the opportunity to work additional hours, if you choose to.
Our Student Nurse Externship begins two different times each year in the beginning of January and June.
The position is posted twice in the beginning of September and February.
Requirements:
- Current enrollment in an accredited nursing program that prepares the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (preferred).
- One completed “in-person/hands-on” clinical rotation by the start of the program.
- Availability to attend the mandatory classroom training portion. These dates will be outlined during the interview process.
- Current BLS required.
How to apply:
- Provide letter of intent stating why you would like to become a nurse, as well as a copy of unofficial transcript (Note: Due date of items will be listed on the job posting).
If you have any questions, please reach out at via phone: 302-327-5555 or email us.
Newark and Wilmington Residencies
- Medical
- Medical unit is selected from the following: Medical and Medical Stepdown (5A), Medical (5B, 5C, 5D), Newark Acute Care of the Elderly Unit (6A), Medical (6B), Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Stroke (6C), Hemo/Oncology (6E), Medical Observation Unit, Medical (4N & 5N), Wilmington Acute Care of the Elderly (8S).
- Surgical
- Surgical unit is selected from the following: Uro/Gyn Surgery (4C), Surgical (2C & 4W), Joint Replacement (7E), Surgical Stepdown (4D), Joint Replacement Center.
- Progressive
- Progressive unit is selected from the following: Transitional and Intermediate Care Unit at Wilmington (6S), Transitional Medical Unit (3D-TMU), Transitional Neuro Unit (2B-TNU), Transitional Surgical Unit (2B – TSU), Cardiac Vascular Intermediate Care (4E), Open Heart Recovery and Heart Failure Unit (5E).
- Float Pool
- Float Pool Residents may work on: Acute Care of the Elderly Unit (6A), Medical (6B), Stroke (6C), Joint Replacement (7E), Medical and Medical Stepdown (5A), Medical (5B, 5C, 5D; 4N; 5N), Heart Failure (5E), Uro/Gyn Surgery (4C), Surgical Stepdown (4D), Cardiac Stepdown (4E), TMU (3D), Transitional Surgical Unit (2B), Surgical (2C & 4W), Medical Stepdown (6S).
Cecil Residencies
- Medical Specialty Unit
- Surgical Specialty Unit
- Clinical Decision Unit
- Per Diem Pool
- Progressive Care Unit
- Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Department
- Operating Room
- Mother/Baby
Eligibility for all residencies:
- Nurses who have graduated from an accredited nursing school.
- RNs with less than 12 months of nursing experience.
- Prior to starting Newark or Wilmington Campus Nurse Residency positions, participants must pass state boards and be licensed as an RN in DE or hold active compact licensure (offers to join residencies are contingent upon passing state boards and securing a Delaware or compact RN license).
- Prior to starting Cecil Campus Nurse Residency positions, participants must pass state boards and be licensed as an RN in MD or hold active compact licensure (offers to join residencies are contingent upon passing state boards and securing a Maryland or compact RN license).
- Commitment to work at ChristianaCare for two years from start date as a registered nurse with at least one of the two years on the direct unit of hire.
How to apply:
- We encourage you to apply for more than one residency!
- If you are interested in a residency at our Cecil Campus, please apply directly to one or more of the areas listed above with your resume.
What to expect for residencies:
- 12-month accredited professional development program.
- Generally, 12–16 weeks of preceptor-led clinical orientation on your direct unit of hire.
- Start dates offered a minimum of monthly.
- Peer networking and mentoring during all professional development seminars.
- Focus on professional growth and leadership within the organization.
The ChristianaCare Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
The ChristianaCare Nurse Residency Program is located at the Newark and Wilmington sites and includes the following work settings: Critical Care, Emergency, Float Pool, Labor and Delivery, Medical, Neonatal ICU, Postpartum, Progressive Care and Surgical units.
Newark and Wilmington Residencies
New graduate specialty residencies:
- Women’s and Children’s units
- Labor and Delivery
- Postpartum and Neonatal Continuing Care Unit
- Critical Care
- Successful residents will be hired as staff nurses within the Critical Care units of either the Wilmington or Newark campus hospitals. Units that may be hiring include Cardiovascular ICU, Medical ICU, Neuro ICU, Post-Anesthesia Care, Surgical/Trauma ICU and Wilmington Med/Surg ICU.
- Emergency Room
- Successful residents will be hired as staff nurses within the Emergency Room Department at either the Wilmington or Newark campus hospitals.
- Operating Room
- Successful residents will be hired as staff nurses within the Operating Room Service at ChristianaCare Health System, which includes either the Wilmington or Christiana hospitals.
- NICU
- Residents will be trained in our brand-new, state-of-the-art Mother/Baby couplet unit. We are one of only three organizations in the country who deliver NICU care through this model.
- Heart and Vascular Interventional Services
- Residents will have dedicated time in critical care units and orientation to the Cath Lab.
Cecil Residencies
- Medical Specialty Unit
- Surgical Specialty Unit
- Clinical Decision Unit
- Per Diem Pool
- Progressive Care Unit
- Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Department
- Mother/Baby
- Operating Room
Eligibility for all residencies:
- Nurses who have graduated from an accredited nursing school.
- RNs with less than 12 months of nursing experience.
- Prior to starting Newark or Wilmington Campus Nurse Residency positions, participants must pass state boards and be licensed as an RN in DE or hold active compact licensure (offers to join residencies are contingent upon passing state boards and securing a Delaware or compact RN license).
- Prior to starting Cecil Campus Nurse Residency positions, participants must pass state boards and be licensed as an RN in MD or hold active compact licensure (offers to join residencies are contingent upon passing state boards and securing a Maryland or compact RN license).
- Commitment to work at ChristianaCare for two years from start date as a registered nurse with at least one of the two years on the direct unit of hire.
How to apply:
- We encourage you to apply for more than one residency!
- If you are interested in the Operating Room residency at our Cecil Campus, please apply directly to the Union Operating Room with your resume.
What to expect for residencies:
- Start dates for Cohort Hire residency tracks occur up to 3 times per year. Please review detailed posting for hire dates.
- 12-month accredited professional development program.
- Generally, 22-26 weeks of preceptor-led clinical orientation.
- Peer networking and mentoring during all professional development seminars.
- Focus on professional growth and leadership within the organization.
The ChristianaCare Nurse Residency Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
The ChristianaCare Nurse Residency Program is located at the Newark and Wilmington sites and includes the following work settings: Critical Care, Emergency, Float Pool, Labor and Delivery, Medical, Neonatal ICU, Postpartum, Progressive Care and Surgical units.
Nursing Advancement Scholarship Program
ChristianaCare is committed to supporting the career growth and professional development of nurses. By providing education and opportunities for leadership, ChristianaCare has created a work environment that fosters effective succession planning.
- Provides 100% tuition support for degree program for all scholarship recipients.
- Open access for all eligible individuals pursuing RN–BSN and RN–MSN required for their role.
- Provides post-master’s certification for an FNP practicing in acute care or behavioral health setting.
RN–BSN
ChristianaCare is committed to creating a workforce that is predominately BSN-prepared. Nurses working at ChristianaCare are encouraged to pursue a BSN degree.
All newly hired nurses are required to obtain a BSN within three years of hire.
RN–MSN
The Nurse Advancement Scholarship Program provides tuition support for nurses who have been hired into or promoted to a role as a Nurse People Leader/Nurse Manager or as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist/Staff Education Manager.
Tuition Assistance
Caregivers not participating in the scholarship program may utilize the tuition assistance program.
This benefit provides reimbursement to the caregiver for tuition paid by the caregiver for courses required to complete a degree program related to their current job within ChristianaCare.
The Ruth Shaw Junior Board Nursing Scholarship
- Students must be enrolled in an accredited RN program for their first nursing degree (ADN or BSN).
- Must commit to one year of employment with ChristianaCare upon graduation.
- Applications are accepted each year from February – March 31st.
Apply Now
Nursing Job Shadowing
The ChristianaCare Nursing Development and Education Department provides nurse job-shadowing opportunities for individuals to observe and learn. ChristianaCare understands the importance of developing a strong health care workforce for the future. ChristianaCare provides these experiences to encourage individuals to consider careers in nursing.
To apply for the Job Shadowing program:
Submit the Job Shadowing Application Package to Nursing Development and Education. The package includes:
- Shadow application (parent/guardian consent if you are under 18)
- Shadow agreement (parent/guardian consent if you are under 18)
- ChristianaCare confidentiality agreement
- Emergency contact form
Student requirements:
What to expect:
- On the day of your shadow experience, go to the information desk in the hospital main lobby and pick up your visitor badge. You will wear the badge at all times while on ChristianaCare’s campus.
- Understand that Delaware is a small community. If you encounter a friend, acquaintance or family member during a shadow experience with ChristianaCare, please keep all health information confidential and do not discuss patient health information with anyone.
- You may have a total of two nursing job shadow experiences over a 12-month period. All experiences are scheduled for four hours.
- Before providing care to patients, your sponsor will introduce you to the patient and explain that you are present for observation only. If possible, your sponsor will obtain the patient’s consent before observation.
Please note:
- Our department reviews applications for nurse job shadowing and will send forms to applicants who request job-shadowing experiences.
- Our department assists in identifying a shadow sponsor.
- We receive a high demand for job-shadowing experiences and are unable to accommodate every request. ChristianaCare reserves the right to refuse any request for a job-shadowing experience for any reason.
- We may not be able to accommodate requests during times of high census, such as flu season.
- You may not shadow if you have a fever, cough, open wounds or any potentially contagious disease. Please contact the job shadow coordinator to reschedule the experience.
- You will not receive educational credit or a grade for job shadowing at ChristianaCare.
- While job shadowing, you agree to comply with ChristianaCare’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures and the laws and regulations pertaining to confidentiality and patient rights.
Questions about Job Shadowing at ChristianaCare?
The Nursing Development and Education Department and Department of Academic Affairs provide job-shadowing opportunities at ChristianaCare.
If you have questions about a job-shadowing experience in nursing, please contact Moneca Davis-Graham at MDavis-Graham@christianacare.org.
Nurse Assistant Training Opportunities
At ChristianaCare, nurse assistants, also called patient care technicians (PCTs), are valued members of the nursing care team and are essential to delivering excellent patient care.
The patient care technicians (PCT) support activities of daily living under the direction and mentorship of the nurse. PCTs must prove they have the skills and knowledge needed to care for patients of any age. Job duties include, but are not limited to, checking vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate; bathing; grooming; toileting; feeding; walking patients; and keeping patients safe.
Patient Care Technician Residency Program
This program is for people interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant. This ChristianaCare-sponsored, paid ten-week program works in partnership with an adult learning center in Delaware (Delaware Skills Center, DAWN Career Institute, Cecil College Polytech or Sussex Tech). The program combines classroom learning, hands-on application in a skills practice in a classroom lab, and clinical hours in long-term care and hospital care settings. Participants will have a chance to sit for the state test to become certified as a nurse assistant. A job in either a home care setting or hospital setting will be earned for people completing the program in exchange for committing to 1 year of work time.
- Offering 6 residency programs.
- Hiring in Newark, Wilmington and Cecil County hospital locations and Delaware home health care settings in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties.
- Hospital care areas that hire PCT residents include, but are not limited to, Intensive Care, Surgical Care, Medical Care, Neurological Care, Cardiac Care and Float Pool.
Requirements:
- Desire to serve others.
- At least 18 years or older.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Be able to work independently in a classroom setting.
- Be able to receive directions/constructive feedback from a teacher, supervisor or nurse.
- Be able to work with blood and body fluids.
- Be on your feet for 8–12 hours a day and able to lift more than 25 pounds.
