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Careers > LANDING Nursing Excellence at St. Mary’s Healthcare

Serving All with Compassion and Excellence

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Why Choose St. Mary’s?

Freedom. Flexibility. Salary. Support.

Gazette and Times Union workplace awardsAt St. Mary’s Healthcare our nurses feel valued, heard, and recognized for all they do. Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Whether it’s a young nurse just starting out, or a nurse looking to grow into a leadership role, we help our people achieve their goals and turn their career dreams into reality.

We’re proud to be the first acute care hospital in the Capital Region to be named a Top Workplace by the Times Union. This recognition, earned through confidential employee feedback, highlights our supportive and empowering environment.

Experience the difference at a Top Workplace where your contributions are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact.

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A fulfilling career is the cornerstone of a well-lived life, and at St. Mary’s Healthcare, leadership understands this deeply. As the largest healthcare employer in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, with nearly 1,500 dedicated associates, we’re committed to creating an environment where every team member can find motivation, purpose, and support. Since 1903, St. Mary’s has been rooted in compassion and commitment, serving its community with over 425,000 patient visits annually. We offer diverse career paths across many specialties and provide flexible scheduling, on-site amenities, and extensive educational and professional development opportunities.

At St. Mary’s, you have the chance to build a meaningful career while making a lasting difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Explore Nursing at St. Mary's

Nursing Leadership

At St. Mary’s Healthcare, our nursing leadership embodies the spirit of an independent community hospital — nimble, responsive, and deeply connected to the people we serve. Inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, we foster a culture where every nurse’s voice matters and innovation thrives.

Our leadership team is committed to empowering nurses at every level, creating pathways for growth, and maintaining the highest standards of patient care. Guided by our core values of caring for the poor and vulnerable, reverence, joyful service, integrity, advocacy, and creativity, we believe that strong nursing leadership is the cornerstone of exceptional healthcare delivery in our community.

female, brown hair, black top, daisy wallMessage from Meredith Borak – Chief Nursing Executive

“At St. Mary’s, we’re not just colleagues — we’re a family dedicated to our Amsterdam community. As an independent hospital, we have the freedom to make decisions that directly benefit our nurses and patients. Every day, our nursing team demonstrates what it means to provide compassionate, personalized care in a setting where everyone knows your name and values your contribution. Together, we live out our mission to serve all with compassion and excellence.”

 

Professional Development

Your growth is our mission. St. Mary’s Healthcare invests in our nursing professionals through comprehensive development programs designed to enhance clinical excellence and advance your career. As a community-focused independent hospital, we offer opportunities typically found only in larger systems, while maintaining the personalized support of a close-knit team.

RN Graduate Residency Nurse Programs

Our comprehensive RN Graduate Residency programs bridge the gap between academic preparation and professional practice. Through structured mentorship, evidence-based curriculum, and hands-on experience, we support your transition from new graduate to confident, competent nurse leader.

Emergency Department

Fast-paced, comprehensive ED training preparing you for critical care scenarios in our community hospital setting.

  • Trauma and emergency response protocols
  • Rapid assessment and triage skills
  • Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric and adult emergency care
  • Crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques
  • ED-specific pharmacology and medication administration

Critical Care

Advanced critical care competencies with hands-on mentorship from experienced ICU professionals.

  • Hemodynamic monitoring and interpretation
  • Ventilator management and respiratory support
  • Advanced pharmacology for critical patients
  • Sepsis recognition and management
  • Multi-system organ failure care
  • End-of-life care and family support

Surgery

Comprehensive perioperative nursing training across diverse surgical specialties.

  • Pre-operative patient assessment and preparation
  • Sterile technique and surgical instrumentation
  • Intraoperative monitoring and assistance
  • Post-operative care and complication management
  • Pain management strategies
  • Patient and family education for surgical recovery

Maternity

Specialized training in family-centered care, supporting Amsterdam families through their birthing journey.

  • Labor and delivery management
  • Antepartum and postpartum care
  • Newborn assessment and care
  • High-risk pregnancy complications
  • Lactation support and breastfeeding education
  • Family education and discharge planning

Behavioral Health

Compassionate mental health nursing education addressing our community’s behavioral health needs.

  • Psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
  • Therapeutic communication techniques
  • Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
  • Medication management for mental health
  • Trauma-informed care approaches
  • Substance abuse and addiction treatment

Med/Surg

Caring for complex medical and surgical patients with precision alongside a comprehensive multidisciplinary team.

  • Complex patient assessment and care planning
  • Chronic disease management
  • Wound care and infection prevention
  • Medication administration and management
  • Collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams
  • Patient advocacy and discharge coordination

Residency Program Features

nurse training

• Structured Orientation & Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from experienced preceptors

• Clinical Skill Development: Progressive competency building with hands-on practice

• Leadership Foundations: Early exposure to delegation, communication, and team coordination

• Critical Thinking: Case studies, simulation, and reflective practice sessions

• Professional Growth: Transition from task-oriented care to holistic patient advocacy

• Cohort Support: Learn alongside peers facing similar challenges and milestones.

Fellowship Programs & Advanced Leadership Development

Beyond our residency programs, St. Mary’s Healthcare offers specialized fellowship opportunities for nurses ready to advance their clinical expertise and leadership capabilities. Our fellowship tracks provide intensive, focused training in specialty areas while simultaneously developing the leadership competencies needed to drive change, mentor colleagues, and shape the future of nursing practice.

 

Preceptor Development Classes

Comprehensive training to become an expert clinical educator and mentor to new nurses

Clinical Leadership Track

Unit-based leadership skills, quality improvement, and clinical decision-making development

Leadership Development Series

Ongoing courses in clinical leadership, team management, and professional advancement

Specialty Certification Pathway

Advanced preparation for national certification with leadership integration

Professional Conferences

Foundation-funded attendance at national nursing conferences for every nurse

Charge Nurse Development

Intensive training in shift leadership, resource management, and team coordination

Additional Development Opportunities

 

Work-Earn-Learn Program

Full tuition and book coverage for degree programs that advance your career

PEAK Program

Annual stipend for professional development, certifications, and continuing education

$5k Tuition Reimbursement

Annual support for BSN, MSN, DNP programs, along with other specialty certifications


Leadership That Empowers

“I’ve never been in any other hospital like this. There’s a real support system. It’s not a big machine. The job is tailored to the individual and the needs that each of us have. You feel like you can make the job your own. The leadership has that kind of trust in us.”

Will Valentine, BSN, RN

Read Will’s Story

More Than a Workplace

“For me, St. Mary’s feels like family. I’ve worked here for most of my life and that’s why I stay. I know I can count on my St. Mary’s family to get through anything.”

Melanie Tatlock, LPN

Read Melanie’s Story

Shared Governance – Your Voice MattersNursing RecognitionNursing Excellence

Shared Governance – Your Voice Matters

At St. Mary’s, nurses participate in decision-making and shape policies, education, quality initiatives, and innovations that enhance patient care and the work environment.

Education Council:  Clinical education, professional development, and lifelong learning opportunities.

Nurse Practice Council:   Evidence-based practice standards and clinical policy development

Nursing Informatics Council:   EHR optimization and technology solutions for improved workflows.

Patient Safety Council:   Safety event review and system improvements to reduce harm.

Coordinating Council:   Aligns all councils with nursing strategic plan and ensures collaboration.

RN National Certification – ANCC Success Pays®

St. Mary’s provides nurses a unique access code for exam registration and certification renewal with NO out-of-pocket costs. Save an average of 40% in test-taking fees!

Why Become Certified?

Certification demonstrates a nurse’s commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and the highest standards of patient care. It distinguishes nurses as leaders in their field and builds trust with patients, employers, and colleagues by confirming advanced knowledge and clinical competence.

Benefits of Certification:

  • Professional recognition and credibility
  • Increased job opportunities and potential for higher pay
  • Personal achievement and confidence
  • Improved patient outcomes and satisfaction

Clinical Pathways

Our evidence-based clinical pathways ensure consistent, high-quality care across all departments. Developed collaboratively by our nursing team and interdisciplinary partners, these pathways represent best practices tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Quality Initiatives

Quality is everyone’s responsibility at St. Mary’s. Our nursing-led quality initiatives focus on patient safety, clinical outcomes, and satisfaction. From reducing hospital-acquired infections to improving patient experience scores, our nurses drive measurable improvements that matter to our community.

As an independent community hospital, we measure success not just by metrics, but by the trust our neighbors place in us for their healthcare needs. Our quality initiatives reflect our commitment to being Amsterdam’s healthcare partner of choice.

The DAISY Award

We proudly participate in the internationally recognized DAISY Award program, celebrating nurses who provide exceptional care with compassion and clinical excellence. This prestigious recognition honors the profound difference our nurses make in patients’ lives every single day.

Patients, families, and colleagues can nominate deserving nurses who exemplify the caring spirit that makes St. Mary’s Healthcare special. Our DAISY Award recipients represent the best of nursing in the Amsterdam community.

Nursing Scholarships

Investing in education strengthens our community. St. Mary’s Healthcare offers multiple scholarship opportunities to support both current staff pursuing advanced degrees and local students entering the nursing profession.

As an independent community hospital, we’re committed to growing the next generation of nurses right here in Amsterdam, NY.

Julie FentonMessage from Julie Fenton

Executive Director of Operations and Nursing

“Excellence is not a destination — it’s our daily commitment. At St. Mary’s Healthcare, nursing excellence means delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care that reflects the values of our Amsterdam community.

As an independent hospital, we have the agility to implement innovative practices and quality improvements that directly benefit our patients.”

 

 

Join Our Nursing Family

Be part of something special. At St. Mary’s Healthcare, you’re not just an employee — you’re a valued member of our community.

Why Choose St. Mary’s?

→ Independent hospital flexibility and responsiveness

→ Deep community connections and impact

→ Comprehensive benefits and competitive compensation

→ Career growth through PEAK program and professional development

→ Supportive, collaborative work environment rooted in our core values

→ Work-life balance in beautiful upstate New York

→ Active Shared Governance – your voice truly matters

We’re actively recruiting passionate nurses for residency positions across all specialties.

 

 

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