Transition to Practice Program for RNs

3 nurses in surgical scrubs, caps and masks prep trays with forceps, scissors and other surgical tools.
Nurses in the APOR track (adult and pediatric operating room) work on practice preparing surgical instruments.

The OHSU Transition to Practice Program supports registered nurses as they start a new role at OHSU. Whether you are a new or experienced nurse, we will support you as you transition to your new RN role. You’ll start your job with access to tools, resources, training and support to help you succeed.

You can expect:

  • Clear expectations for you to prepare for independent practice in your new role, and the training and support to achieve your goals.
  • Peer support from RNs with similar roles or experience who are also transitioning to a new role.
  • A flexible timeline and personalized support so that you can transition to independent practice as soon as you’re ready.
  • To earn while you learn. The Transition to Practice Program takes place during your work hours and is part of your employment.

On this page, you will find information about:

What is the OHSU Transition to Practice Program?

The OHSU Transition to Practice Program is professional support for RNs as they transition to a new role. At OHSU, most RN roles are part of the program. This means that when you start your new role, you will spend some of your shifts focused on your professional practice.

The program has several tracks and three learning paths, based on nursing experience. You will be part of a cohort and learning path that fits you and your new role.

As a cohort, we will give you and your colleagues training, resources and opportunities to support each other. We will also give you individual support based on your experience, needs and goals.

Our goal is to prepare you to provide safe, optimal patient care and support your growth and development as a nursing professional.

Who is the Transition to Practice Program for?

The program is for both new and experienced nurses.

Residency learning path

This path is for new graduates just entering the nursing profession and RNs with less than one year of experience. On this path, you will be part of a cohort, working with other nurses like you.

Specialty Fellowship learning path

This path is for experienced RNs who are transitioning to a new specialty population. They may be new to OHSU or internal transfers. On this path, you will be part of a cohort, working with other nurses like you.

Fellowship learning path

This path is for experienced RNs who are transitioning to a new care area related to their experience. They may be new to OHSU or internal transfers.

How can I participate in the Transition to Practice Program?

For the Residency and Specialty Fellowship learning paths, we will assign you to a cohort based on:

  • The timing of your hire.
  • Whether you are a new nurse or just new to OHSU or your role.
  • The department or specialty population where you will work.

The Fellowship learning path is ongoing and offered along with open positions. There are no set cohort start dates.

Transition to Practice Program track information

Adult acute, intermediate and emergency observation care (AAIE)

This track is open to nurses on all three learning paths.

  • 4A Transplant/Urology/Plastics
  • 5A/5C Medicine and Family Medicine 
  • 14C Medicine  
  • 5B/6B Emergency Department Observation 
  • 7C/11K Cardiovascular Intermediate Care Unit 
  • 9K Orthopedics 
  • 10A Emergency General Surgery 
  • 10D HRC Epilepsy Monitoring and Clinical Research Unit
  • 10K Neurosciences Intermediate Care Unit 
  • 13A Trauma 
  • 13K Medical/Surgical Oncology 
  • 14A Gastrointestinal and General Surgery 
  • 14K Bone Marrow Transplant 
  • Outpatient Care Unit (OCU) on the South Waterfront
  • Acute Care Float Pool (Fellowship learning path only)

Cohorts are held four times per year.

Residency and Specialty Fellowship learning path start dates:

For external hires and transfers new to ONA:

  • April 22, 2024
  • June 17, 2024
  • August 19, 2024
  • October 21, 2024
  • January 20, 2025
  • April 21, 2025
  • July 21, 2025
  • October 20, 2025

For internal ONA transfers:

  • April 29, 2024
  • June 24, 2024
  • August 26, 2024
  • October 28, 2024
  • January 27, 2025
  • April 28, 2025
  • July 28, 2025
  • October 27, 2025

The Fellowship learning path program has no set start date, but is offered along with your new role.

Adult critical care: intensive care, emergency and peri-anesthesia (ACC)

This track is open to nurses on all three learning paths.

  • 7A Medical ICU 
  • 7C Neurosciences ICU 
  • 8C Trauma Surgical ICU 
  • 12K Cardiovascular ICU 
  • 8D Adult Emergency Department 
  • 6A Peri-anesthesia 
  • CHH Peri-anesthesia 
  • Critical Care Float Pool (Fellowship learning path only)

Cohorts are held three times per year.

Residency and Specialty Fellowship learning path start dates:

For external hires and transfers new to ONA:

  • May 6, 2024
  • July 22, 202
  • October 21, 2024
  • January 27, 2025
  • May 5, 2025
  • July 14, 2025
  • October 20, 2025

For internal ONA transfers:

  • May 13, 2024
  • July 29, 2024
  • October 28, 2024
  • February 3, 2025
  • May 12, 2025
  • July 21, 2025
  • October 27, 2025

The Fellowship learning path program has no set start date, but is offered along with your new role.

Adult and pediatric operating room (APOR)

This track is open to nurses on all three learning paths.

For external hires and transfers new to ONA:

  • March 4, 2024
  • August 19, 2024
  • February 3, 2025
  • August 18, 2025

For internal ONA transfers:

  • March 11, 2024
  • August 26, 2024
  • February 10, 2025
  • August 25, 2025
  • 6S South Adult Operating Room 
  • CHH Ambulatory Operating Room 
  • 8C Pediatric Operating Room

Cohorts are held two times per year.

Residency and Specialty Fellowship learning path start dates:

For external hires and transfers new to ONA:

  • September 18, 2023
  • March 04, 2024
  • September 23, 2024

For internal ONA transfers:

  • September 25, 2023
  • March 11, 2024
  • September 30, 2024

The Fellowship learning path program has no set start date, but is offered along with your new role.

Neonatal and pediatric critical care: intensive care, emergency and peri-anesthesia (NPCC)

This track is open to nurses on all three learning paths.

  • 8N Pediatric ICU 
  • 8D Pediatric Emergency Department 
  • 8S Pediatric Peri-anesthesia 
  • Pediatric Float Pool (includes floating to NICU, PICU, Acute and Intermediate care areas)
  • 8S Pediatric Sedation (NOT open to Residency learning path)

Cohorts are held three times per year.

Residency and Specialty Fellowship learning path start dates:

For external hires and transfers new to ONA:

  • May 6, 2024
  • July 22, 2024
  • October 21, 2024
  • January 27, 2025
  • May 5, 2025
  • July 14, 2025

For internal ONA transfers:

  • May 13, 2024
  • July 29, 2024
  • October 28, 2024
  • February 3, 2025
  • May 12, 2025
  • July 21, 2025

The Fellowship learning path program has no set start date, but is offered along with your new role.

Multi-specialty procedural units (MSPU)

This track is open to nurses on the Fellowship learning path only. There are no set start dates, but the Transition to Practice program is offered along with new RN roles in this track.

  • 11C Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Lab
  • 11B Procedural Care Unit
  • Recovery Float Pool
  • Electrophysiology Lab
  • Interventional Radiology
Female RN at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital checking an IV
RNs are critical in caring for patients at OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.