Nurse Resident - BSN - Specialty Units - October 2026 Cohort at Kootenai Health – Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Nurse Residency Program

NOW ACCEPTING SPECIALTY UNIT APPLICATIONS FOR OCTOBER 2026 COHORT

Available departments

• Perioperative Services - Operating Room
• Womens And Childrens Services - Float
• Womens And Childrens Services – Postpartum

Program Overview

The Kootenai Nurse Residency Program is an incredibly supportive program that transitions newly graduated nurses to the hospital setting. The program accepts only the most outstanding and committed applicants. The Nurse Residency is a full-time (36-40 hours/pay period), paid program that prepares new professional nurses with exemplary skills, knowledge, and experience in inpatient areas.

This is a year-long program that provides an innovative, person-centered support structure for the acquisition of evidence-based practice, standardization of knowledge, and skills to ensure our nurses are confidently prepared, supported, and engaged in their work. Nurse Residents learn through a combination of educational seminars, peer support discussions, simulation, and authentic patient experiences with the support of experienced preceptors/mentors. Kootenai Health is committed to providing Nurse Residents with the teaching, training, mentoring, and expertise needed for a successful career in nursing.

Hiring Process

1. Begin by submitting your formal application on our website.
   • The application will ask you to list your top choice unit. For more information on the available units, please refer to the unit descriptions below.
   • Cover Letter Required: A cover letter is required as part of the application process. We encourage candidates to use the cover letter to highlight their interest, motivation, and alignment with unit preference.
2. Next, we’ll reach out by email with a request to complete a one-way interview through Spark Hire.
3. After your Spark Hire interview, your application and video will be reviewed by unit managers, starting with your first preferred choice listed on your application. If you’re not selected for your top choice, your application could get reviewed by additional unit managers, depending on availability.
4. Once reviewed, the Talent Acquisition Consultant will reach out to schedule an interview. For this interview, the unit manager will ask follow up questions to your video interview, provide more insights on unit specifics, and answer any questions you may have.
5. If selected for the program, the Talent Acquisition Consultant will reach out with the details of your offer, including unit placement and compensation.

Things to know

• This application is only for the specialty units specifically listed. There will be a separate application for med-surg & behavioral health units available on March 30th.

• Units will aim to offer residency positions in each cohort; however, availability can vary per cohort and some units are unavailable.
• Night shift availability is required for most Nurse Resident positions.

As a Nurse Resident, you will receive

• Socialization and networking support
• Didactic, targeted teaching, and learning experiences
• Monthly workshops with social networking and didactic experiences
• 24-hour access to a robust, interdisciplinary on-site library
• Three to six months of direct bedside preceptor and leadership support
• Training in national certification courses that are integral to your specialty practice, such as BLS, ACLS, TNCC, NRP, PALS, and many more
• Specialty-specific education courses as applicable
• A professional nursing culture and education environment consistent with the ANCC Magnet designation — the national standard for nursing excellence in the United States.

Eligibility to participate in the Nurse Residency Program includes

• Graduate of a nationally accredited nursing program. BSN preferred
• Less than 12 months of experience as an RN
• Less than 6 months of hospital experience required at the time of hire
• RN with less than 3 years’ patient-facing nursing experience at time of hire are required to be enrolled in a baccalaureate (or higher) degree program in nursing within 1 year of employment, with completion within 3 years of hire
• RN with at least 3 years’ patient-facing nursing experience at time of hire, ADN or diploma required; BSN or higher preferred
• State of Idaho Registered Nurse OR licensure pending as documented by temporary licensure OR current RN licensure from a state participating in the “multistate privilege to practice” compact with Idaho prior to start date.
• A nursing work gap greater than 12 months from your most recent experience will require successful completion of a Learning Needs Assessment conducted by a KH Nursing Education Specialist
• ACLS to be provided and completed, if applicable
• BLS Required. Current AHA Healthcare provider, American Red Cross, AHA Health Saver or KH BLS during General Orientation

Learn more about our teams

Operating Room Kootenai Health offers a modern, state-of-the-art facility that supports a wide range of surgical specialties. Our facility recently expanded to increase our number of operating rooms to eleven (11) – 2 CVORS, 1 hybrid OR, and 8 general operating rooms. We utilize the da Vinci® System for our robotic program that supports procedures in urology, thoracic, general, and gynecology specialties with two Xi platforms. Nurses new to the operating room enjoy a six-month AORN Periop 101 cohort training period to ensure a strong foundation for both circulating and scrubbing. This scrub experience will broaden your understanding of the surgery, instruments, and priorities during surgery, as well as give a foundation on which to build

Women and Children’s Float This unique float position will allow you to provide nursing services through the assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation of patient care for Postpartum, NICU and Pediatrics.

Women and Children’s –Postpartum

As Postpartum Nurse you will work with patients who have recently given birth, offering both care and education to help the new mother prepare to care for her baby after she leaves the hospital. Nursing care for a Postpartum Nurse includes: administering medications, monitor the health of new mothers and their babies, provide nursing care to babies, instruct and counsel new mothers and baby care topics like breastfeeding and bathing.

Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex. Kootenai Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex.