< Information for Nurses

RN Residency Program

Arkansas Children’s Hospital is the first and only 12-month new graduate residency program in Arkansas to achieve accreditation with distinction from the Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Why Choose Arkansas Children's

Arkansas Children's provides a strong foundation with the necessary skills and confidence to excel in your nursing career. Your potential as a nursing professional is limitless with Arkansas Children's.  

  • We are PTAP Accredited, meaning:

    • We are part of a global standard for RN Residency programs
    • Our program demonstrates excellence in transitioning nurses to the practice setting
    • Our program is evidence-based and patient outcome-driven

  • We hire directly to a unit in 3 cohorts per year (February, July, October)

    •  Phase 1: Immersion Phase
      • Hospital Orientation
      • Professional Nursing Orientation
      • Didactic classes with subject matter experts every 2 weeks during the first 10 weeks
      • Debriefing and mentoring sessions
      • Guided unit-based orientation with unit-based Clinical Educator
      • Bedside preceptorship with a unit-based preceptor

    • Phase 2: Post Immersion Phase
      •  Monthly professional development classes
      • Debriefing and mentoring sessions
      • Evidence-based projects
      • Graduate from the RN Residency program in 1 year

  • Transition from novice to expert

    • RN Residents benefit from the guidance of experienced leaders who will provide professional mentoring and opportunities to impact patient care and the nursing profession during and after completing the residency program. These opportunities include tuition assistance programs, shared decision-making involvement, exposure to nurse specialties such as informatics or research.   
    • We support a culture of growth and continued learning as evidenced by a robust career ladder. 

"The Residency program is a treasured resource for nurses that are transitioning from that of student to professional practice, by offering a safe and encouraging culture to gain knowledge, experience, and confidence in order to grow into a safe, compassionate, competent RN."

- Kristof Waltermire, RN II | Nursing Residency Graduate

"Being in the RN residency program here at ACH provided me with experiences, skills, and opportunities that have strengthened my career as a pediatric nurse. It allowed me to witness the nature of multiple units, and their policies and procedures directed toward caring for disease processes and certain age groups that they specialize in. It also allowed me to have an honest, personal decision as to what specialty was more intriguing and felt like the right fit for me. It allowed me to network with different departments and build a professional rapport with many members of the interdisciplinary team. I am grateful for the experiences that this program has provided me with! "

- Kierra Ellis, RN II | Nursing Residency Graduate

Meet the Team

JoAnna Carpenter, MSN, RN, NPD-BC 
Transition to Practice Coordinator 
carpenterjk@archildrens.org


3D/3E Surgical

Common patient assignments are patients from newborn to young adult with the following illnesses: fractures, osteomyelitis, spinal fusion, Ilizarov bone lengthening procedures, congenital anomaly repair, Blount's disease, Perthes disease, developmental dysplasia of the hip, orthopedic trauma, ENT procedures, and various medical diagnoses.

3K Infant Toddler Unit (ITU)

Common patient assignments are patients from newborn to three years of age with the following illnesses: failure to thrive, viral respiratory illness, rule out sepsis, child maltreatment syndrome, long term ventilator patients, and multiple other general pediatric medical conditions


4C Medical

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to school age with the following illnesses: cystic fibrosis (both the newly diagnosed patients and those patients experiencing an exacerbation of their disease), nephrology conditions (such as nephrotic syndrome, end-stage renal disease, pre and post-renal transplant, patients who are requiring peritoneal dialysis), respiratory conditions (such as asthma, RSV and pneumonia), gastroenterology conditions (such as reflux and failure to thrive), and infectious diseases (such as Pertussis and influenza).Endocrine(such as Diabetes, New Onset and Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Eating Disorders (such as Anorexia and Bulimia)


4D Neurology

Common patient assignments are patients from newborn to 21 years of age with the following illnesses: epilepsy with 24-hour continuous VEEG monitoring, head injury, brain tumors, spina bifida, and spinal injuries.


5D Progressive Care

Common patient assignments are patients from newborn to 21 years of age with the following illnesses: head injuries, spinal cord injuries, multiple trauma, and pulmonary diseases.


4K Hematology Oncology

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to early adulthood with the following illnesses: blood disorders such as anemia, sickle cell anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, leukemia, childhood cancers, and other malignant diseases.


2D Burn Unit

Common patient assignments are patients from 18 months to 90 years of age with burn injuries.


3C Intermediate Care (IMU)

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to twenty-one years of age with the following illnesses: Respiratory Distress, Trauma and Head Injury, Sepsis, and Post-Operative Observation. Serves as Step Down and "Watcher" Unit.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to twenty-one years of age with the following illnesses: Critically ill Children with Respiratory Distress, Trauma and Head Injury, Sepsis, and Post-Operative States.

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to Adult with the following illnesses: congenital cardiac anomalies and rhythm disorders. Step Down and Intensive Care Unit.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to two years of age with the following illnesses: respiratory distress, surgical anomalies, genetic defects, and prematurity.

Emergency Department (ED)

Common patient assignments are patients from birth to 21 years of age with life-threatening or emergent injuries and illnesses.

Operating Room

Common patient assignments are patients from newborn to adult with conditions requiring surgical intervention in services of: orthopedic, genitourinary, burn, ENT, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, plastic reconstructive, general, laser treatment, and/or dental.

Special Staffing Team/RN Float Pool ICU and Med.Surg

Floats to PICU, CVICU, NICU, ED, Burn, IMU, and all Med-Surgical units

  • Graduate from an accredited nursing program *ASN graduates who are selected will be expected to enroll in a BSN program within 6 months of completing the immersion period and will have 3 years to complete their BSN*
  • GPA 3.0 Preferred.
  • Selected candidates must pass the NCLEX and possess a permanent Arkansas or compact state RN license prior to the start of the residency