Nurse Residency Program
The Nurse Residency program supports new graduates rising to the peak of professional practice as guided by the Cook Children's Promise and values.
Our program
One residency, two unique and exciting tracks! Welcome to the Nurse Residency program at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. In this accredited 12-month pediatric nurse residency program, nurse residents rotate through various specialty units, gaining valuable knowledge and clinical experiences to accelerate their transition into professional pediatric nursing.
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Critical and Intermediate Care NursingNurse residents in this track will provide complex care through rotations in the Emergency Department, Pediatric intensive care, Neonatal intensive care, Cardiac intensive care, Cardiac stepdown, Operating Room and Transitional care and rehabilitation. |
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Medical-Surgical and Subspecialty NursingNurse residents in this track will care for patients with diagnoses such as hematology disorders, childhood cancer, endocrine issues, respiratory diseases, surgical interventions, behavioral health concerns, transitional care, rehabilitation needs and much, much more. |
Important! You may only apply to one of the above tracks.
July 2026 Cohorts
Please apply if you have graduated with a BSN or entry-level MSN between December 2025 and May 2026.
Important dates:
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Application dates: January 5-21, 2026, 5 p.m. (CT) |
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Interview dates: February 9-13, 2026 |
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Selection notification date: February 23, 2026 |
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Start date: July 13, 2026 |
Timeline dates are subject to change.
Mark your calendars for an informational session.
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Cohort 51 Zoom session #1: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 3:30 p.m. (CT) |
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Cohort 51 Zoom session #2: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1 p.m. (CT) |
Additional information
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Amy Kotter, MSN, RN, CPEN, CPN Director, Simulation and Nurse Residency programs |
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Hannah McNearney, MSN, RN, CPN Manager, Nurse Residency Program |
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Lizzie Marshall, MSN, RN, CPN, CPHON Manager, Nurse Residency Program |
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Abby Rychlik, MSN, RN, CNOR(E), CPN Manager, Nurse Residency Program |
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Melissa Ross, MSN, RN, CPN Education Coordinator, Nurse Residency Program |
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Noemi Pena Nurse Residency, Program Assistant |
Applicant eligibility
- Graduate of an accredited baccalaureate nursing program (BSN) or an entry-level master's of nursing program (MSN)
- Must apply as first professional nursing role
- Must pass the NCLEX prior to the start of the residency
- Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be considered
Applicant ineligibility
- Associate degree with:
- Prior work experience as a professional nurse
- Without BSN or entry-level MSN
- Must graduate within the time frame listed above
- Applicants who have previously applied to the nurse residency program are ineligible to reapply
- Application documents received after the deadline will not be considered
When do applications open?
Please view the timeline under "Important dates."
Is there a letter of recommendation required form?
Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Please see complete information under "Application requirements."
Can I send more than the 2 required letters of recommendation?
We only accept 2.
Are ADN’s eligible?
Please view eligibility information under "Applicant eligibility/ineligibility."
Who can I contact for any online application issues?
Please email Stephanie Godé, Sourcing Recruiter at stephanie.gode@cookchildrens.org.
Can I apply for more than one specialty track?
No. You may only apply to one specialty track.
How many hours per week do nurse residents work?
This is a full-time position that requires 36-40 hours per week.
Will I be working days, nights, weekends and holidays?
Yes. Nurse residents will work alongside a staff nurse mentor with a schedule that may vary from days, nights, weekends and holidays. Class days are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
What benefits and vacation time is available to nurse residents?
The nurse residency program is a full-time paid employed position. Nurse residents will begin earning pay on their first day of employment, are eligible for the comprehensive benefits package, as well as will accrue paid time off (PTO) when employment begins. Check out our Cook Children's Benefits website for more information.
What types of scrubs are allowed?
You may wear any child-friendly, professional-looking scrubs including scrub pants and a Cook Children's t-shirt.
What is the selection process?
If you are selected for an interview and a residency position, a nurse residency representative will call you.
Can I reschedule my interview?
We appreciate your interest in our program. Please note that due to our high volume of applications and limited capacity, we may be unable to accommodate requests to reschedule interview dates. We encourage all applicants to consider their availability before applying and notify us as soon as possible of any request to reschedule interview dates.
Designations and accreditations
The employee-based nurse residency program at Cook Children’s Medical Center is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The Magnet® designation is considered the international gold standard of nursing excellence. Cook Children’s Medical Center is the first pediatric hospital in North Texas, and the 10th in the world, to receive this prestigious designation four times.