New Graduate Nurse Residency Program
A Transitional Learning Program to Jumpstart Your Career
Aspen Valley Health’s New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is a structured transition-to-practice program with an evidence-based curriculum through which a newly licensed nurse can continue to gain the knowledge, skills and professional behaviors to deliver safe, high-quality patient care. The year-long program includes a clinical preceptorship with highly trained preceptors and mentors as well as classroom seminars, skills labs and realistic simulation activities taught by diverse, qualified clinical faculty.
In alignment with the AVH mission, the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is designed to train new nurse graduates to deliver extraordinary healthcare in a variety of clinical settings while maintaining an environment of excellence, compassion and trust. Follow this link to learn more about Aspen Valley Health, a community-based, not-for-profit hospital located in Aspen, Colorado.
Program Goals
- Facilitate the transition from nursing school into a range of practice environments.
- Promote leadership at the point of patient care.
- Increase the residents’ competence and confidence.
- Foster high-quality patient outcomes.
- Improve professional satisfaction.
- Reduce nurse turnover, particularly within the first year of practice.
- Reduce organizational costs related to retention of competent and confident nurses.
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited program.
- Candidates must have graduated from an accredited nursing program within the past 12 months and be entering the first nursing practice role since graduation.
- Employment is contingent upon passing NCLEX-RN® and obtaining a Colorado registered nurse license and meeting all pre-employment requirements.
- Candidates must commit to full-time employment as an RN at AVH in the department of hire for a minimum of two years.
Application Timeline
Summer 2026 Cohort:
- Early March — Positions posted for nurse residency program
- Early April — Application deadline
- End of April — Interviews scheduled
- Month of July — Must have a CO RN license by July 15, 2026
- End of July — Residency Program Begins
Application Process
To be considered, candidates must submit a completed application by 11:59 pm Mountain Time on the date the application period closes. We cannot review late submissions.
1.View available “Nurse Resident” positions in our online database and complete the online application during the application period.
2.Attach a resume that includes:
- Relevant clinical rotations, clinical practicum, nurse extern/intern experiences including whether the format was virtual or in-person, the hospital and department in which the hours were completed, and the total number of hours for each experience.
- Additional degrees in fields other than nursing.
- Professional work experience in a healthcare setting.
- Leadership roles within a healthcare setting or professional organization.
- Membership in professional nursing organizations.
- Fluency in languages other than English.
- Volunteer experience or community work.
3.Provide three personal/professional references, two must be from nursing instructors.
4.Attach a written statement that includes:
- Description of why you have chosen to apply to the AVH New Graduate Nurse Residency Program.
- Description of how clinical rotations and/or professional work experience has prepared you for success in the clinical nursing role.
- Identify the top two preference departments and what attributes you possess that would be of value to each department.
Contact Information
If you have questions regarding the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program, please contact:
Stacy Vidamour, RN
New Graduate Nurse Residency Program Coordinator
svidamour@aspenvalleyhealth.orgFAQs
I graduated more than 12 months ago from an accredited school of nursing. Am I eligible to apply to the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program?
Occasionally and with approval of the Nurse Residency Program Leadership committee, an exception may be made for an applicant who has graduated from an accredited nursing program outside of the 12-month time frame but who has less than 12 months of experience as a registered nurse. Please submit an application for further consideration.
I will graduate or I currently reside outside of Colorado. Am I eligible for the program?
Out-of-state candidates are eligible to apply to the AVH New Graduate Nurse Residency Program. However, if accepted into the program, you must be licensed in the state of Colorado prior to the deadline provided. We highly recommend you apply for licensure to the Colorado Board of Nursing at the time of NCLEX testing to avoid delays. Applicants can sit for the NCLEX exam in any state regardless of where you are applying for licensure. Applying for licensure by endorsement after being issued an out-of-state license will take additional time and may delay your ability to meet the residency program timeline requirements.
To learn more about RN licensure in the state of Colorado, review the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website.
How many hours per week do nurse residents work?
Nurse residents are employed in full-time positions that require 36 to 40 hours per week or 72 to 80 hours per pay period for the entire 12 months of the residency program. This schedule includes some weekends and holidays. The number of hours each week will vary between 36 and 40 to accommodate both didactic and clinical experiences.
Can I take a vacation during my residency?
Nurse residents receive paid time off as a benefit of employment.
How long is the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program at AVH?
The New Graduate Nurse Residency Program at AVH is one year (52 weeks), beginning in August and ending in July of the following year.
What benefits does the nurse resident receive?
Nurse residents receive the same healthcare and retirement benefits offered to all full-time employees.
What is the starting rate of pay for a nurse resident?
Once a job offer has been made, you will be provided with the exact hourly pay.
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