Registered Nurse (RN) Residency Program - (Total Joint/Orthopedic) - NIGHTS

Overview

REGISTERED NURSE RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Spring 2026

Medical/Surgical Specialty - Total Joint/Orthopedic

 

 

The RN Residency Program is designed for the soon-to-be or newly licensed or an RN with less than one year of experience.

 

Our  mission is to prepare RNs to successfully transition to practice by strengthening clinical skills and establishing a shared knowledge base that bridges the classroom academic experience with the hands-on clinical hospital experience.  

 

The Total Joint & Orthopedic Unit is a brand new, 15-bed private unit that offers excellent opportunities to specialize in the care of orthopedic patients. This busy unit consistently supports a full census while still offering an appealing nurse to patient ratio of 1 to 5. Currently serving a mix of orthopedic and less acute medical patients, the unit is transitioning to a dedicated orthopedic focus as more orthopedic physicians join the team. Each private room includes a shower to support rehabilitation and promote independence in daily living activities. Spacious accommodations also allow for personalized physical therapy sessions in-room. The patient population includes post-operative cases such as total joint knee and hip replacements, ankle surgeries, and fracture recovery—creating a dynamic environment for professional growth and successful patient outcomes.

 

CentraState Medical Center has an employment opportunity available for an RN Resident in the Total Joint & Orthopedic Unit. The RN Residency Program at CentraState is designed to provide a structured transition into practice for newly licensed Registered Nurses at CentraState Healthcare System. The program includes preceptorship, progressive clinical experience, didactic, and simulation experience. This twelve-month orientation offers great flexibility in meeting your individual needs.  It is a time for continued learning, as well as an opportunity to develop the confidence and comfort to work independently in the hospital setting.

Responsibilities

As a Resident, you will:

• Completed over the course of 12 months, our program is focused on giving the newly licensed RN a strong foundation of key elements in the nursing profession such as:
  • Leadership
  • Critical Thinking
  • Professional Development
• Our goal is to provide a supportive environment that builds confidence and competence through:
  • Structured didactic content and curriculum
  • Simulated lab experiences led by committed staff
  • Informal mentoring and coaching
  • Dedicated clinical preceptors who guide learning to ensure you progress at your own pace and acquire skills necessary to establish clinical competency and independent practice
• Be hired as a full-time, benefit eligible employee
• Competitive starting pay and total rewards package
• Balance between classroom learning and on-the-floor exposure
• Be paired with a trained and experienced preceptor on your unit
• Given a gradual increase in responsibility over time
• Will receive off-unit experience with the Wound Care Team and Respiratory Therapy Department.
• Build on your clinical, technical, and critical thinking skills
• Learn effective delegation and organizational skills
• Constant engagement with assigned nurse educator, nurse manager  and preceptor to ensure clinical skill & critical thinking development 

Qualifications

• Must be a soon-to-be or newly licensed RN or have less than one year of working RN experience.
• Must have a BSN or ASN degree, passed the NCLEX and have a NJ RN license before the employment start date.
• Must have BLS certification.
• Starting salary $44.00 hr.
• All offers will be for Full Time only.   No guarantee of shift (may be selected to work day or night shift upon completion of orientation)
• Start date will be March 23rd (must be licensed by the start date).

About Us

CentraState Healthcare System, in partnership with Atlantic Health System, is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system dedicated to providing comprehensive health services in central New Jersey. Beyond offering a wide range of advanced diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState is committed to being a valuable health partner, focusing on disease prevention, promoting healthy behaviors, and helping individuals of all ages live well.

 

Located in Freehold, CentraState includes a 284-bed acute-care hospital, a dynamic health and wellness campus, two award-winning senior living communities, a charitable foundation, and convenient satellite