Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, Massachusetts — a dedicated behavioral health specialty center within the 307-bed MetroWest Medical Center regional system — is actively recruiting New Graduate Registered Nurses for its Adult, Geriatric, and Adolescent inpatient behavioral health units. This is a structured 12-month New Graduate RN Residency Program with a curriculum built specifically for the transition from student to practicing clinician, offering hands-on experience across shifts, patient populations, and unit cultures. Externship placements are also available for candidates graduating within the next 12 months. The program is currently accepting applications for Late 2025 and Spring 2026 graduates.
Perks and Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Career development support and continuing education opportunities built into the residency program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits including pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, and auto and home insurance
- Externship pathway available for candidates not yet graduated, providing unit-specific exposure prior to hire
Practice Highlights
- Three distinct inpatient behavioral health units: Adult, Geriatric, and Adolescent — all actively hiring
- Leonard Morse Hospital is a dedicated behavioral health specialty center, not a general med-surg environment — clinical focus is exclusively mental health
- Multidisciplinary team model: Psychiatry, Medical NPs, RNs, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, and Human Rights Officers collaborate on every patient's care
- Specialized certification training provided in de-escalation via Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) — a credential in high demand across behavioral health settings
- 12-month New Graduate RN Residency Program with structured curriculum covering delegation, priority setting, holistic patient care, and interdisciplinary communication
- Residents rotate across different shifts, patient populations, and unit cultures to build broad clinical and critical thinking competency
- Supported by a community of clinical educators, experienced nurses, and fellow residents throughout the program
- Parent system (MetroWest Medical Center) recognized on Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals list (2019) and holds a Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
- MetroWest Medical Center is the largest community healthcare system between Worcester and Boston, with a regional referral footprint spanning the MetroWest corridor
Qualifications
- Graduate of a state-approved or accredited school of nursing — or currently enrolled with a graduation date within the next 12 months (externship track available for the latter)
- Active Massachusetts RN license, or eligibility to obtain licensure prior to start date
- Current CPR certification required
- Candidates must successfully complete a background check and pre-employment health screening including a drug screen
- Proof of full vaccination or an approved religious or medical exemption required prior to start, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local vaccination laws; exempted employees are subject to regular testing per applicable law
About the Community
Natick is a well-established suburban community in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, situated roughly 18 miles west of Boston along the Massachusetts Turnpike — close enough for easy access to a world-class city, yet offering the pace, affordability, and quality of life of a tight-knit New England town. The area features strong public schools, abundant recreational options including Lake Cochituate and the Bay Circuit Trail, and a vibrant local dining and arts scene. For new graduates seeking a launchpad into behavioral health nursing without sacrificing proximity to Boston's broader career and cultural ecosystem, Natick strikes a compelling balance.