As an academic medical center, RUSH University Medical Center offers nursing staff the opportunity to pursue advanced degree training and increase their leadership potential.
Educational programs open to full- or part-time employees include the following:
- Full tuition prepayment at RUSH University
- Generous tuition assistance to relevant degree programs at other colleges and universities and to nondegree training programs, workshops and seminars
- On-site training programs in clinical nursing and new technology
- Online classes through RUSH University
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate coursework
Nurse Residency Program
New graduate nurses should not start their professional journey alone. At RUSH University Medical Center, our Nurse Residency Program supports graduate nurses throughout the first six months of clinical practice, beyond orientation.
The goal is to support our graduate hires’ professional transition from life as nursing students to life as competent professional nurses.
Participation in six months of residency meetings is part of new graduate nurses’ regular work schedule. Topics covered during the program integrate real-world experience with the application of evidence-based practice. Topics include the following:
- Patient safety
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Leadership skills
- Wellness
- Nursing professional development
Minimum requirements for new graduates hired into the Nurse Residency Program include the following:
- Degree in nursing
- Illinois RN license
- Full-time employment
- Less than six months of RN experience
There is no separate application for the Nurse Residency Program. All new graduate nurses hired by RUSH University Medical Center who meet the criteria above are automatically enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program.
New graduates are hired on a monthly basis and begin the Nurse Residency Program within the first month of hire.
For more information about the Nurse Residency Program at RUSH University Medical Center, contact ProfessionalNursing_Practice@rush.edu.
New Graduate RN Program – START Program
The Rush Copley Medical Center START Nurse Residency Program is accredited as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
New graduates are able to grow into their nursing career with support from Rush Copley’s START Program, a residency program for new graduate nurses. Benefits include a welcoming environment, specialized education and training, a dedicated mentor and more to help graduates make the transition from student to professional nurse.The current site included in accreditation is Copley Memorial Hospital (also known as Rush Copley Medical Center).
The current workplace settings included in this accreditation designation are:
- Acute Inpatient Medicine Rehabilitation)
- Emergency Department
- Intensive Care Unit
- Intermediate Care Unit
- Labor and Delivery
- Medical Surgical Units
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Obstetrics
- Orthopedics/Neurology/Pediatrics
START Program – Nurse residency for new graduates
New graduate nurses can feel confident that they’ll find the tools, training and support needed to bridge the gap between theory and practice as they transition from student to nurse in our residency program — START stands for:
- Skill development
- Thinking critically
- Applying evidence to the bedside
- Resource utilization and support
- Transitioning into nursing practice
Our START program has a proven track record: 85.6%of new graduate nurses who join our START program stay here for their entire first year, and 67.3%stay for at least three years. We have seen our START nurses grow into successful transformational nurse leaders such as shared governance chairs, clinical coordinators (charge nurses) and clinical nurse managers.
What to Expect in the START Program as a Graduate Nurse
Our dedicated and trained preceptors in partnership with the clinical nurse educators guide new graduates or START nurses through the first months as registered nurses to ensure they can confidently provide safe, high-quality patient care. Included in the comprehensive orientation, nurses in the START program will participate in the following:
- 40 hours of classroom instruction
- Hands-on, risk-free training in our Simulation, Training and Resource (STAR) Center
- Individualized orientation with an experienced nurse preceptor from their home unit
- Regular support sessions with unit preceptor,clinical nurse educators,clinical nurse managers and directors
- Lunch with the chief nursing officer and other nurse leaders
- Year-long mentoring program
- Opportunity to provide feedback to improve the program for future START nurses
Nurse Residency Classroom Curriculum
START nurses will gain professional knowledge from experienced clinical nurse educators and content experts that are interprofessional team members about many topics, including the following:
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Patient advocacy
- Self advocacy
- Professional accountability
- Professional growth and development
Nurse Mentorship
The START program at Rush Copley facilitates a mentorship initiative where new graduate nurses are paired with experienced nurses outside of their department. This relationship allows new nurses to gain valuable insights, feedback, and encouragement from their mentors. Regular meetings throughout the first year provide ongoing support and foster professional development, enhancing the transition into their nursing careers.
Who Can Be a START Nurse?
Requirements to apply for a position in Rush Copley’s START program for new graduate nurses. include the following:
- Graduated from an accredited nursing program with a grade point average of 3.0 or above
- Have less than one year of acute care experience
- Have or will have your Illinois nursing license at least two weeks before the program begins
A Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree is preferred, but not required. If you’re accepted into the program with an associate degree, you’ll be expected to earn a BSN within five years of being hired.
How to Apply to Rush Copley’s START program as a New Graduate Nurse
To find the job listing for the START Program at Rush Copley, view our current job opportunities and enter "new grad RN" in the keyword search box.
Cohorts start in March, August and November of each year. Applications are accepted when the START positions are posted 2-3 months prior to cohort starting.
Nursing Portfolio
New grads who are selected as prospective candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio that highlights their professional goals and accomplishments. The portfolio should include the following:
- Professional Goals: A clear statement outlining your short-term and long-term career objectives.
- Resume: An updated resume detailing your educational background, work experience, and relevant skills. Including college transcripts.
- Projects and Work Samples: Examples of your work that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments, including any relevant projects completed during your studies or internships.
- Certifications and Awards: Any certifications, honors, or awards that showcase your qualifications and achievements.
- Personal Statement: A 500-word essay that reflects your passion for your field and your motivation for pursuing your career goals and why you should be chosen for the START program.
References are submitted separately online and must include at least three clinical instructors.
Accreditation Statement
The Rush Copley START Nurse Residency Program is accredited as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
The current sites included in this accreditation designation are: Copley Memorial Hospital (Rush Copley).
The current workplace settings included in this accreditation designation are:
- Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Department
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Obstetrics
- Medical Surgical Units
- Medical Surgical I
- Medical Surgical II
- Orthopedics/Neurology/Pediatrics
- Intermediate Care Area - a progressive care unit
- Labor and Delivery
- Acute Rehab
Professional Growth and Development
Rush Copley supports nurses by encouraging the development of their clinical, research and leadership skills. The environment is designed to foster both personal and professional growth through various initiatives and resources. These may include continuing education opportunities, mentorship programs, access to research projects, and leadership training workshops. By providing these avenues for growth, Rush Copley aims to empower nurses to enhance their expertise and advance their careers in the health care field.
Academic Progression
Rush Copley nurses have the ability to take advantage of a wide range of benefits to help achieve their professional goals:
- Scholarships for nursing students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees
- Tuition reimbursement for nurses completing their undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees
- Financial assistance for certification programs
- Discounted tuition rates through our educational partners:
- Free on-site, accredited nursing continuing education units’s
- Career development opportunities
- Foundation in Leadership Program – Emerging Leaders
- Professional Board Certifications
- Support for lifelong learning
- Professional development opportunities
- Nursing student clinical preceptors
- Preceptor Development Program
- Clinical Coordinator Development Program
- Nurse mentorship opportunities
- Shared Governance participation
- Leadership opportunities
- Rush Nurse Research Fellowship
- Unit based process improvement activities
- Clinical nurse-led research at the bedside
- Organization-wide initiatives and projects
Nursing Simulation Lab (STAR Center)
The Rush Copley Medical Center’s nursing Simulation, Training and Resource Center provides an excellent opportunity for nurses to enhance their clinical skills and competencies in a safe, risk-free environment. Participants can engage in realistic patient care scenarios using advanced medical simulators, allowing them to practice and refine their skills. Experienced clinical nurse educators guide participants through the process, offering valuable feedback and insights to help them learn and improve from their experiences. This approach fosters professional development and prepares nurses for real-world clinical situations.
Nursing Research Opportunities
Rush Copley nurses play a vital role in advancing the field of nursing through their active participation in nursing research and the implementation of evidence-based practice changes. By engaging in these activities, they not only contribute to the scientific foundation of nursing care but also serve as catalysts for innovation and transformation in patient care. The environment at Rush Copley offers numerous opportunities for nurses to explore and enhance their knowledge, ultimately leading to improved nursing practices and outcomes for patients. Rush Copley has a nurse scientist on site to assist nurses with conducting research to improve patient care, developing evidence-based practices, analyzing healthcare data, and contributing to the advancement of nursing knowledge.
Meaningful Recognition
At Rush Copley, outstanding contributions made by nurses to patient care are both noticed and recognized. This acknowledgment occurs through daily interactions among peers and supervisors, as well as through formal recognition programs. Patients, families and guests also have the opportunity to recognize exceptional care through initiatives such as the DAISY Award and the HERO (Healthcare Employees Reaching Out) program. These efforts highlight the commitment to excellence in nursing and patient care within the organization.
Nurse of the Year:
Nurse Leader of the Year:
RUSH Oak Park Hospital nurses also have the opportunity to participate in a Nurse Residency Program upon hiring.
Nurse Residency Program
New graduate nurses should not start their professional journey alone. At RUSH Oak Park Hospital, our Nurse Residency Program supports the new bachelor- or master’s-prepared graduate throughout the first year of clinical practice, beyond orientation.
The goal is to support our new graduate hires’ professional transition from the life of a nursing student to that of a competent professional nurse.
Participation in one year of residency meetings (once a month) is part of new graduate nurses’ regular work assignment. Nursing leadership supports this participation. New graduate nurses are also assigned a preceptor who provides them guidance throughout the Nurse Residency Program.
Expert nurses lead residency activities, emphasizing topics that integrate real-world experience with the application of evidence-based practice. Topics include the following:
- Patient safety
- Critical thinking
- Communicating care
- Leadership skills
- Stress management
- End-of-life decision making
- Professional career development
Minimum requirements for new graduates hired into the Nurse Residency Program include the following:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing
- Illinois RN license
- Full-time employment
- No prior work experience as a registered nurse
There is no separate application for the Nurse Residency Program. All new graduate nurses hired by RUSH Oak Park Hospital who meet the criteria above are automatically enrolled in the Nurse Residency Program.
New graduates are hired on a monthly basis for specific units. After completing unit orientation with a preceptor, you will begin attending nurse residency meetings.
For more information about the RUSH Nurse Residency Program at RUSH Oak Park Hospital, contact Jakeiyah Triplett, Jakeiyah_Triplett@rush.edu
Nursing Professional Development and Growth at Rush Copley
Pursuing Her Dream of Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Andrea, an RN 2 at Rush University Medical Center, appreciates the way Rush truly values professional growth and career advancement.
Rush’s full tuition prepayment is allowing her to work full-time while pursuing a doctor of nursing practice degree at Rush University College of Nursing.
Says Andrea: "Without this benefit, I would not be able to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner."
Hear more from Andrea