New Graduate Nurse Residency - Fort Smith

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Find your calling at Mercy!
Mercy Fort Smith, Arkansas offers a transition-to-practice Nurse residency program designed to support the newly licensed nurses as you transition from student to confident and independent professional nursing practice. This structured, evidence-based program offers comprehensive and individualized department orientation, hands-on clinical training and ongoing mentorship to ensure a smooth and successful entry into your professional career. The program provides collaboration with experienced preceptors, targeted educational sessions, and a supportive environment that fosters critical thinking, clinical judgment, and professional growth.

Position Details:

Mercy Fort Smith

New Graduate RN Residency

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Key Details

Program Start Date: We have residency cohorts starting on the upcoming dates:

February 15, 2027

Duration: The program lasts one year, providing extensive support and training to help new nurses navigate their first year in practice and prepare them for a lasting and fulfilling professional career.

Opportunities: We provide new graduate placement within the following departments:

Cardiac
Critical Care/ICU Stepdown
Critical Care/Medical ICU
Emergency Department
Labor & Delivery
Medical Surgical
Medical/Telemetry
Mother/Baby
Neuro
NICU
Observation
Oncology
Ortho

Eligibility:

Required Experience - 12 months or less of nursing experience
Required Education - Nursing Degree from an accredited school
License – Temporary Nursing Arkansas license or nursing compact license
Certifications – Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association

We Offer Great Benefits:

Day-one comprehensive health, vision and dental coverage, PTO, tuition reimbursement and employer-matched retirement funds are just a few of the great benefits offered to eligible co-workers, including those working 32 hours or more per pay period!

$20,000 Loan Forgiveness Available
Up to $2,000 annually in Tuition Assistance
Eligible for Premium Pay Program
Shift Differential Pay

Why Mercy?

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.

Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.

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5 Questions You Should Ask During the Interview

Here are 5 questions we think you could ask during your interview. Use them as a guide to help you write your own questions.

Remember: Always have at least 5 questions prepared for the interview. If you do not, you run the risk of looking unprepared.

What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?

Why ask this? You want to ensure you have a clear understanding of expectations before accepting the role. Knowing how success is measured helps you hit the ground running and avoid surprises about performance evaluations. It also signals to the employer that you're results-driven.

Can you describe the team dynamic and the company culture?

Why ask this? Skills and experience matter, but if the work environment isn’t a good fit, you won’t be happy or productive. This question helps you gauge whether the company values collaboration, how teams interact, and whether the culture aligns with your work style and values.

What are the biggest challenges facing the person in this role right now?

Why ask this? Every job has challenges, and it’s better to know them upfront. This helps you assess whether the role is a good fit for your strengths and whether the company is realistic about its expectations. If they hesitate to answer, it could be a red flag.

How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being??

Why ask this? Burnout is real, and some companies expect employees to sacrifice personal time for the job. By asking this, you’ll get a sense of how they value work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being—things that are crucial for job satisfaction and long-term success.

These questions help you make an informed decision while also showing your professionalism and strategic thinking!

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