Frequently Asked Questions about the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program at University of Colorado Hospital
Eligibility Questions
How can I tell if the program I graduated (or will graduate) from is an 'accredited nursing baccalaureate program'?
University of Colorado Hospital requires all nurses to have graduated from a program accredited either by the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or the NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.). Most programs have both CCNE and NLNAC accreditations. The minimum requirement is that the program has, at least, one of the two accreditations.
To determine if your program is accredited, please check on the CCNE or NLNAC databases.
CCNE: http://apps.aacn.nche.edu/CCNE/reports/accprog.asp
NLNAC: http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm
I obtained a BSN from an ADN-BSN or LPN-BSN program. Am I eligible for the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program?
No, unfortunately, only graduates from a traditional BSN program or from an accelerated BSN program are eligible for the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program. Associated Degrees in Nursing (ADN)-to-BSN programs and Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)-to-BSN graduates are not eligible for the Residency Program. If you graduated from an accredited ADN-BSN or LPN-BSN program, you are eligible to apply for one of the Hospital's experienced nursing positions after one year of registered nursing experience.
Accelerated BSN graduates from accredited programs are eligible to apply for the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program.
I will be graduating with a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) next year, but have already passed the NCLEX exam and obtained my RN license this year; am I eligible for the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program?
No, you would not be eligible for the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program if you have not graduated yet even if you have your RN license.
I graduated more than 6 months ago from the start date of the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program I would like to apply for. Am I eligible?
No, unfortunately, you must have graduated at least six months from the start date of the program you are applying to. This usually means you are eligible for the next two programs - for example, a May graduate would be eligible to apply for the July program and for the October program but not the following February program. Even if you had not been working as a nurse, you must have graduated within six months of the program start date.
Occasionally and with committee approval, we are able to consider appilcants who fall outside the six month window if they are able to provide documentation of:
- Required military obligations
- Personal, un-forseen, medical emergencies
We are not able to consider applicants who are requesting a hardship exception because of:
- Inability to find a job
- Inability to obtain a RN licensure
- Travel or missionary work
- Relocation
- Forseen personal and medical reasons
If you believe you may be eligible for a 'hardship exception', please follow these instructions:
- Apply for the program following posted requirements and deadlines.
- With your application, provide a written statement detailing your hardship.
- After the application deadline, you will be notified if your hardship exception was approved via email. All decisions will be final.
I will graduate or I currently reside outside of Colorado. Am I eligible for the program?
Yes, out-of-state candidates are eligible for the program if they meet the other eligibility requirements. No preference is extended to Colorado candidates. A significant percentage of program participants are out-of-state Residents at the time of offer.
Out-of-state applicants are highly encouraged to apply for Colorado licensure at the time of their NCLEX. Applicants can sit for the NCLEX in any state. Applying for Colorado endorsements after being issued an out-of-state licensure will take an additional month after receiving your initial licensure. All offers are contingent on verification of Colorado (or NLC licensure). Offers have been withdrawn due to lack of licensure to practice in Colorado by the start date.
For more information or questions on the NCLEX, Colorado endorsement process, NLC licensure, or other licensure questions, please contact the Colorado Board of Nursing.
Application Questions
I applied for the last program. Do I need to re-submit my application?
You must go online and re-submit an online application for each program you would like to be considered for. If you do not want to make any changes or updates to the resume, supplemental application, unofficial transcripts or clinical evaluation that was submitted with your last application, you do not need to re-submit them. Human Resources holds all supplemental applications, unofficial transcripts, and clinical evaluations for six months. Therefore if you applied for the July program and are re-applying for the October program, you only need to apply online again. If you would like to re-submit any updated documents, please do so. We will only use the most current submissions.
My preceptor spends more time with me than my clinical instructor. Who should complete my clinical evaluation?
Your clinical evaluation must be completed by your clinical instructor. This evaluation includes questions regarding your academic performance that your preceptor may not be privy to.
You may ask your preceptor to submit a clinical evaluation in addition to the one submitted by your clinical instructor.
My senior practicum (or capstone) just began (or has not begun) and my clinical instructor can not complete a clinical evaluation yet; what should I do?
Hopefully your clinical instructor will be able to submit your clinical evaluation by the deadline.
If not, please ask the clinical instructor for your Med/Surg II rotation to complete a clinical evaluation. Please continue to include your last clinical instructor's contact information on the supplemental application so we may contact him or her for a professional reference.
I have additional references and clinical evaluations I would like to include with my applications. Can I do this?
Yes, you may please submit these items with the rest of your application. Additional references are not required.
I attached my application to my online profile and am worried it was not received. How can I confirm you received all of my application?
Unfortunately, we are not able to confirm the receipt of individual emails and attachments. On average, Human Resources receives over 400 applications for the Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Program in addition to hundreds of non-Residency applications. Therefore, we are not able to confirm receipt of each email or attachment.