[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As nursing becomes more complex and demanding, many registered nurses (RNs) use residencies and fellowships to develop their experience and expertise. Hospitals value residencies and fellowships for their potential in building a specialty workforce and reducing stress and burnout.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide explains the differences between the two kinds of learning opportunities, how to make the RN residency vs RN fellowship decision, and how to find the right one for your goals. Learn more about how a residency or fellowship could advance your career.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]RN Residency and RN Fellowship Key Similarities and Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What is the difference between a residency and a fellowship in nursing? Both provide additional supervised learning after you graduate. Both help you apply your learning in real-world situations and develop specialty knowledge.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The difference is experience. A residency is for new graduates or nurses with less than one year of experience, while a fellowship better suits more experienced nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-secondary” border=”shadow” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]What is a RN Fellowship?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN fellowships are meant to transition experienced nurses to a new specialty function or higher level of care, such as the emergency department (ED), intensive care units (ICU), or labor and delivery .Again, these are most common in larger AMCs. While many RNs participate in fellowships earlier in their careers, some participants may be in the middle or even later phases of their careers. Most fellowships last a year.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both RN residencies and RN fellowships combine classroom and real-world experience under the guidance of experienced specialists. They both consist of cohorts, and many RNs develop long-lasting professional relationships with others in their cohorts.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both residencies and fellowships are paid positions, and you apply for them the same way that you would apply for a job.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The primary difference is the level of experience required and career stage. During a fellowship, nurses build on their basic skills learned during clinical work and school, while fellowship participants apply their nursing experience and school to a new specialty.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may also attend [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/np-fellowship-residency-programs/”]NP residency and fellowship programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Benefits for Nurses from Underserved Groups[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A residency or fellowship can have extra value for nurses from underserved backgrounds. Nurses from underserved demographics might enjoy a residency or fellowship at a hospital full of students who share their background, especially if their previous courses lacked students similar to themselves.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The cohort structure and relationships with preceptors and other program leaders can help nurses build a network within their specialty area.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Similarly, a nurse who is moving to an area where they will be underrepresented could benefit from the structured mentoring and networking of a residency or fellowship at a hospital in that area.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Expect During Registered Nurse Fellowship and Residency Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fellowships and residencies follow the same general structure of intensive classroom and background work, followed by placement in the specialty area. Supervised work with an increasing level of responsibility and independence follows placement.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are two major phases: transition and integration.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”heading-4″]Transition Phase[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Organizational onboarding[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Introduction to cohort members, staff, preceptors, and other participants[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Structured learning and discussion in a classroom setting[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ongoing assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Final assessment, which may include certification, depending on the program and specialty[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”heading-4″]Integration Phase[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Assignment to work shifts and preceptors[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Supervised work with patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ongoing assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Joining or observing workplace specialty groups, such as task forces or councils[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Final assessment, which may include certification, depending on the program and specialty[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-secondary” border=”shadow” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]What Happens During a Fellowship?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fellowship participants also start with a classroom phase and transition to the workplace. The emphasis is on learning the new specialty area rather than on expanding basic nursing skills.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Participants receive ongoing supervision and guidance. Assessment focuses on learning and skills.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]RN Residency vs. RN Fellowship: Which is Right For Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both residencies and fellowships provide valuable transitions into a specialty area. Both programs ensure that nurses have the knowledge they need to succeed in a specialty area, and the guidance to apply evidence-based practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are graduating from nursing school soon, or have relatively little experience and want to pursue a particular specialty area, a residency program can help you to learn and develop your network.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, if you already have experience in one specialty and want to transition to another, a fellowship can help bring you up to speed with new research, and give you experience. Like a residency, it can also help you create a network through your cohort and the fellowship preceptors.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions about RN Residencies and Fellowships[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What does RN fellowship mean?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An RN fellowship is a program for experienced nurses to transition into a new specialty. It often lasts one year, starting with classroom learning and then working in a hospital under specialist supervision. Fellowships are paid and nurses apply for them like they apply for jobs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What is the difference between residency and fellowship in nursing?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A residency is for new nurses and combines learning about a specialty and learning general nursing practice from experience in the workplace. A fellowship is for more experienced nurses and provides a transition into a new specialty.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What specialties are common in residency and fellowship?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some common specialties are ICU (neonatal, adult, or pediatric), ED, psychiatry and mental health, oncology, surgery, post-anesthesia care units (PACU), infusion units, and critical care. Most hospitals advertise their residency and fellowship openings as well as listing them on their websites, so it is easy to find openings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Do nurses do fellowships?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fellowships are becoming more popular among nurses, advanced practice nurses, and hospitals as a way to attract and assess potential hires, reduce stress and burnout among new nurses and nurses who change specialties, address specialty shortages, and improve patient outcomes by expanding nurses’ knowledge, skills, and confidence.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”33931,34070,33995″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page Last Reviewed January 28, 2023[/hen-ui-text]