VA Palo Alto New Graduate Program 2012

U.S.A. California

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Specializes in Hospice, Home Health, Med/Surg.

So September, did you do phone interviews for all of these positions? Did they seem very competitive?

septemberRN

41 Posts

I did phone interviews (with speaker phone with a panel of people). I don't know how competitive it was, but you look up any of those hospitals on this website and you won't find much information on them. So, the competition is not like it is for UCLA, Palo Alto VA, Stanford, etc. The mental health position and McKennan Hospital position were not part of new grad programs, but just places that said "new grads encouraged to apply". I hope that helps! I see you live in Oakland (like me!). I love the Bay Area, but I feel there are few positions available for new grad nurses when you consider the number of nursing schools around and the high pay rate.

Specializes in Hospice, Home Health, Med/Surg.

You live in Oakland too? What school did you go to? Did you have to apply for the out of state endorsements before applying, or...? Have you explored the salary range? I would imagine they are much less than Bay Area... some of my cohorts/friends got hired here starting at $50/hr. (Makes me kind of sick to think of what we will probably have to accept in "the sticks.")

So when do you move?! :jester:

septemberRN

41 Posts

I went to Samuel Merritt University (their ABSN program). I applied for out of state endorsement after accepting the job. The salary range is considerably lower than $50 (the most that I know any of my fellow students starting out with is $40, but I agree, the discrepancy does not seem fair). However, the cost of living in Toledo is also considerably less than the Bay Area. Places like UCLA typically start at $29 or so, though I think UC Davis was starting at $40.

The way I see it, I want a good acute care setting experience, and I think moving to Toledo will be good for me. I have lived in the Bay Area my entire life, and it's time for a change. I start driving over there this upcoming Saturday!

Specializes in Hospice, Home Health, Med/Surg.

Wow, that's exciting. Are you going alone? Do you know people there? I also went to SMU, that's funny! (I graduated May '11). I understand about wanting to try something new - someWHERE new. I have lived here my whole life too. We should keep in touch, I would love to hear how it works out for you. I don't know if they allow giving out your personal email here. I'll try to private msg you. :D

nurse tree

7 Posts

Sorry i'm coming in late to this. I just wanted to say that i had an interview with the nurse manager last week for surgical telemetry and go offered the position. i am so excited and so thankful for the opportunity. it's been a long road and i am glad it's over. I also wanted to let you all know that I just received a phone call from UCSD from the manager of telemetry for an interview. of course i'm not going to take it, but it shows that there really are jobs out there. i feel like things are getting better for new grads so don't give up!

Bella2004

19 Posts

Sorry i'm coming in late to this. I just wanted to say that i had an interview with the nurse manager last week for surgical telemetry and go offered the position. i am so excited and so thankful for the opportunity. it's been a long road and i am glad it's over. I also wanted to let you all know that I just received a phone call from UCSD from the manager of telemetry for an interview. of course i'm not going to take it, but it shows that there really are jobs out there. i feel like things are getting better for new grads so don't give up!

Hey nursetree, I also was offered a position at the VA, so I guess we'll be seeing each other at the program! Congrats!

gell0rn

6 Posts

To: nurse tree & Bella2004 -- I was also extended an offer & was wondering which facilities you two will be working at! Looking forward to meeting you all soon :) Good luck with all the pre-employment stuff!

Bella2004

19 Posts

@gell0rn I will be at Palo Alto, how about you?

hnt0807

2 Posts

@Bella, I had an interview at the surgical telemetry unit last week too but haven't gotten either a rejection email or an offer. When did you get your offer phone call?

Thanks,

Bella2004

19 Posts

I got a call Tuesday morning. If I were you, I would call to verify. Idk how many openings they had on telemetry, but someone posted in the forum that they were offered a position on that unit.

hnt0807

2 Posts

@Bella, do you happen to have a number to call? I've been calling the nurse manager's number but she doesn't pick up, left a message, but she doesn't call back either :(

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