RN New Grad Residency, General Surgery

Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: General Surgery
Position Type: Full time, 36 hours/week, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 7:00 pm – 7:30 am, 12 hour shifts, variable scheduled days

Your role with us

As a nurse on the general surgery unit, you’ll care for a diverse range of pre and post operative patients, including those undergoing procedures in gastroenterology, urology, ENT, plastics, podiatry, and gynecology. You’ll also support overflow cases from orthopedic and trauma surgeries when needed. This unit is home to the bariatric surgery center of excellence, where you’ll receive specialized training to care for bariatric surgery patients while gaining experience across multiple surgical specialties.

RN new grad residency

As a new graduate nurse, you’ll begin your journey with a comprehensive residency program designed to support your transition into professional practice. The program starts with two weeks of hospital-wide skills labs and didactic learning alongside other new grads. This is followed by two weeks of hybrid learning, combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience on the unit where you’ve been hired. After the first month, you’ll move into full-time, unit-based precepted training, which typically lasts between 6 to 12 weeks depending on your unit and prior experience. In total, orientation can range from 8 to 16 weeks. Once orientation is complete, you’ll transition into a structured mentorship program to continue your development.

What you'll do

• Performs accurate, ongoing, and age appropriate assessments for each assigned patient.
• Reports and consults pertinent data with the healthcare team and takes appropriate action.
• Demonstrates competency in delivering care based on the individualized patient care plan.
• Follows Salem Health policies and procedures for all nursing skills.
• Initiates and/or reviews care plans with patients and families to address holistic, age specific needs.
• Adjusts care plans to reflect changes in the patient’s condition.
• Consistently documents assessments, plans, interventions, and patient responses accurately.
• Anticipates patient and team needs, sharing relevant information proactively.
• Helps maintain a safe unit environment by following infection control policies, replacing sharps containers, removing broken equipment, and using proper lifting and transfer techniques.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BSN) or Bachelor of Arts degree in nursing, or non-nursing bachelor's degree with a Master of Science in nursing (MSN). Candidates with an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) and graduates of a diploma RN program are also encouraged to apply; ADN applicants with less than five years of acute care experience will be required to sign an agreement committing to complete their BSN or MSN degree within three years of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Current unencumbered licensure to practice nursing as a registered nurse in the State of Oregon.
• Less than one year of nursing experience.

Why Salem Health?

Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.

We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.