February 2026 RN Residency Program - New Graduate and Acute Care Transition Nurses

We are accepting applications for our February 23, 2026 RN Residency Program (application will be open through midnight 11/30/2025).

We are considering both new graduate nurses and nurses with limited or no acute care experience for this structured, supportive program.

AHA BLS required.

Your CA RN license must be active a week prior to the program start date February 23, 2026; interim permits are not considered.

Complete 1 application and include on your resume: the status of your RN License / ATT / BRN Paperwork with anticipated timeframes.

In your application, please list your nursing school in the first option for education, even if it is not your first degree chronologically.

All other degrees or "in progress" education can be listed after.

The first phase of the application is to determine candidates minimum qualifications and retention likelihood at Cottage Health.

Departmental matches will be in the second phase.

You do not need to tell us your preferred units at this phase of the process.

For your information, the units that may be considering applications are:

Adult Inpatient Departments
Neurology/Urology (1RT)
Oncology (1C)
SBCH Orthopedics (1WC)
Pulmonary/Renal/ (3WC)
Trauma (3RT)
Nursing Resource Unit (NRU) (float to the 6 units listed above)
GVCH Orthopedics
GVCH Critical Care Unit
SBCH Medical Intensive Care Unit
Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital

Emergency and Psychiatric Services
SBCH Emergency Department
SBCH Inpatient Psychiatric Services

Women's & Children's Services
Birth Center
Pediatrics
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Surgical Services
SBCH Surgery
Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education.

Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, Ca, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system.

Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion.

Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first.

We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.

Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law.

This policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Cottage Health and an applicant or employee.

Cottage Health is committed to upholding discrimination-free hiring practices.

We strive to cultivate an environment where exceptional people bring diverse perspectives and find belonging, support and connection to their work....