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Nurse Residency Program

Billings Clinic Nursing Residency

The Billings Clinic Nurse Residency program supports new graduate registered nurses through the transition from students to competent professional nurses during the first year of practice.  The 12-month program provides graduate nurses with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver competent, safe, and effective patient-centered care. Nurse Residents are full-time employees in the role of a professional nurse under the guidance and support of:

  • Unit preceptors
  • Nursing Professional Development Practitioners
  • Unit Management Teams
  • Nurse Residency Specialists

Learning Environment

Nurse Residents form a strong connection with the Nurse Residency Team.  The program consists of guided learning activities, opportunities to identify essential resources, and reflective debrief sessions. Competency attainment centers on:

  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Teamwork & Collaboration
  • Safety
  • Quality Improvement
  • Evidence-based Practice
  • Informatics

Evidence-based PracticeNurse Residency Evidence Based Practice Presentation

Nurse Residents build scholarly inquiry skills while researching and developing an Evidence-based Change Project. These research projects are presented to hospital leaders and educators during the Change Project Exhibit at the promotion. Members of the Nursing Research Council (NRC) and the Collaborative Science & Innovation team collaborate with Nurse Residents to refine and advance their project ideas.

Eligibility

Who is Eligible?

  • All new grad nurses are accepted into the program (ADN, BSN, Accelerated BSN, or MSN)
  • Nurses with less than 12 months of working RN experience
  • Fellows who have do not have experience in acute care facility

Program Expectations and Requirements

  • Montana RN license to start employment
  • Commit to one year of monthly didactic sessions
  • Participate in orientation progress meetings with the preceptor, nurse residency specialists, and clinical leadership team
  • Develop and present an evidence-based project at the end of Year 1

Nurse Residency Topics

This is an overview that include hands on learning and didactic.

  • Unit based specialty education
  • Foundation for Nurse Residency Program
  • Foundations for Workplace
  • Patient Centered Healthcare
  • Medication Administration
  • Handling Emergencies
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Resiliency and Self Care
  • Professional Development and Scholarly Inquiry
  • Professional Responsibilities
  • Unit-based specialty education

New Grad Opportunities

All unit-specific RNs are expected to work day/night shift rotations. All RNs are expected to work weekend and holiday rotations. Placement in preferred unit is not guaranteed.

Placement opportunities include:

  • Surgical Services (OR)
  • Cardiovascular (CVU)
  • Emergency and Trauma Center
  • Endoscopy
  • Family Birth Center- LDRP
  • Inpatient Cancer Care (ICC)
  • Inpatient Medical (IPM)
  • Inpatient Pediatric Unit (IPU)
  • Inpatient Surgical Unit (IPS)
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Intermediate Care Unit (IMC)
  • Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
  • Orthopedics Neurology Unit (ONU)
  • Psychiatric Services
  • Surgical Services (OR)

Learn more about nursing specialty and units

Contact Information

For Nurse Residency questions

Sherri Zimmerman, MSN, RN
Nurse Residency Program Director
SZimmerman@billingsclinic.org
Office: 406-238-2619

Melissa Heppner, MSN, BSN, RN
Nurse Residency Specialist
MHeppner@billingsclinic.org
Office: 406-435-6956

Tracey Laber, BSN, RN
Nurse Residency Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
TLabor@billingsclinic.org
Office: 406-435-6945

Heather Landon, BSN, RN
Nurse Residency Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
HLandon@billingsclinic.org
Office: 406-247-6418

Emilee Sarkela, MBA
Program Associate
Esarkela@billingsclinic.org

For Nurse Residency Human Resources questions

Andrea Doll
Talent & Workforce Coordinator
adoll@billingsclinic.org
406-238-5633

New Nurse Graduates
Apply Here

New Graduates Residency Opportunities

Nurse Residency Important Dates

If you possess a nursing license and have less than 12 months of experience, we accept applications year-round.

If you have not graduated from nursing school, see deadlines below.

Candidates who apply after closing dates will still be considered.


December 2024 Graduate Application Period:

  • Opens: August 26, 2024
  • Closes: September 20, 2024

May 2025 Graduate Application Period:

  • Opens: January 7, 2025
  • Closes: January 31, 2025
  • Interviews: February 2025

August 2025 Graduate Application Period:

  • Opens: May 19, 2025
  • Closes: May 30, 2025

December 2025 Graduate Application Period:

  • Opens: September 8, 2025
  • Closes: September 26, 2025