UCSD Medical Center New Grad Program January 2012

persistancepays · Nov 28, 2011

Hmm...that's interesting!! What do you mean by internals!? Peope who already worked there or did!? Or externs!? Just curious because I use to work there as an LVN before I got my RN out in Arizona and I'm hoping to get back into the UCSD system with my preferential rehire status, not even sure that will help but, hey it's a shot I guess!!

Internals are the people who are currently working at UCSD and want to change their specialities.

persistancepays · Nov 28, 2011

Also, does anyone know how the hiring/interview process goes here?

First your application goes to HR and if someone likes it, it gets referred to the departments they think you are qualified for. It's the individual departments who decide who they finally want to interview. The interview was a panel for me with department head, charge nurses, and floor nurses. It can or cannot be a long process (but not as bad as UCLA) When I applied for oncology I had recently graduated, May 2010, and had two externships in oncology. The first time I applied, I didn't even get out of HR. The second time I applied I got notified that they referred me on to the next level. Then I got notified that they did not choose me to go further. About three weeks later I got a call and they wanted to know if I was still interested, I was and got an interview. Thought the interview went pretty well but "blew" one question. After two tries I applied to Loma Linda University Medical ( available positions are listed as "Clinical Nurse B positons,not as "new grad" )where they interviewed 8 people and took all of us. After 8 months there I reapplied at UCSD and immediately got an interview and hired within one week(Aug) Third time's the charm. An interesting fact is I am the only nurse on my floor from the area; there are nurses from North Carolina, Boston, Chicago, Arizona, San Francisco, etc. Competition is tough but keep trying, it is definitely a great hospital.

ocgal · Nov 29, 2011

Hi guys, I got a call yesterday from the nurse manager, and I have a interview next week...I am really nervous cause I really want this job, can anyone please share their experience with interview questions. I have been reading older posts and people have said the questions are hard and not your typical questions. I am pretty sure it will be a panel interview, but I am just wondering if they ask more of the situational type of questions. Any advice please!!!

OK Nurse · Nov 29, 2011

Hi guys, I got a call yesterday from the nurse manager, and I have a interview next week...I am really nervous cause I really want this job, can anyone please share their experience with interview questions. I have been reading older posts and people have said the questions are hard and not your typical questions. I am pretty sure it will be a panel interview, but I am just wondering if they ask more of the situational type of questions. Any advice please!!!

Congrats! Which dept/unit did you apply to?

ALSO, does anyone know the starting pay for New Grads in the UCSD program. A previous (2008) post said 31.50 w/ no differential for degree. Does anyone have an updated amount?

persistancepays · Nov 29, 2011

Each department varies their questions. but there are the standard questions. Why do you want to work here, what can you offer us, your strengths and weaknesses, etc. I didn't get any medical situation questions, however, they asked questions about how you would handle problems with a difficult doctor, nurse, etc. That was the question I "blew" in my first round of interviews. What they don't want to hear is that you go to your charge nurse if there is a problem with another nurse. They want you to work our your own problems whenever possible. The panel is also very interested in if you are a "fit" for their floor- so personality is very important. Make sure you know the mission statement and have a good idea of what it means to be a "Magnet hospital" since they are really close to gaining this recognition. In my case they also asked me what kinds of specific medical experiences I had worked with already, i.e. admitting patients, administering meds, charting, etc. Just be yourself. When I got hired in August it was because they liked me as a person and of coorifice my externships and experience helped. Good Luck!

persistancepays · Nov 29, 2011

Congrats! Which dept/unit did you apply to?
ALSO, does anyone know the starting pay for New Grads in the UCSD program. A previous (2008) post said 31.50 w/ no differential for degree. Does anyone have an updated amount?

I started in August and my pay is approximately $34 with differentials only for nights, weekends, and holidays. Fridays count as weekends too. I have my Bachelors of Science in Nursing and did go into the job with 8 months experience from Loma Linda University Medical Center. Keep in mind, if you get the job or should I say when, there are a lot of deductions from your pay. ( Tax, Union Dues, Disability, Insurance, mandatory retirement account, and you do have to pay for your parking )

ocgal · Nov 30, 2011

thank you soooo much Persistancepays for all of your advice....you are so sweet and kind to help...in case anyone else is wondering I applied for IMU and PCU. I have an interview for IMU. Wish me luck, I am nervous, but I have been preparing myself and I am ready for this! Fingers crossed!!

BTW persistancepays which unit did you get hired for?

persistancepays · Nov 30, 2011

thank you soooo much Persistancepays for all of your advice....you are so sweet and kind to help...in case anyone else is wondering I applied for IMU and PCU. I have an interview for IMU. Wish me luck, I am nervous, but I have been preparing myself and I am ready for this! Fingers crossed!!
BTW persistancepays which unit did you get hired for?

I'm working in oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant unit but we get all kinds of patients...it's 3 west.

Good Luck!

ocgal · Nov 30, 2011

Persistancepays I just sent you a private message..please check, thanks!

ocgal · Nov 30, 2011

btw I forgot to ask you persistancepays, if I was to get asked the question which shift do you want? should I say I am open to all shifts or should I say I would prefer nights? I am more of a night person and would deff prefer night shift but as a new grad you cannot be picky and I would honestly work any shift with a smile on my face because I would be sooo happy to have the job.

Also after the interview what questions did you ask the panel? I read on your earlier post you said after your interview they called you a week later and told you that you got the job? is that typically how it is for the new grads? so there are no second interviews?

persistancepays · Nov 30, 2011

btw I forgot to ask you persistancepays, if I was to get asked the question which shift do you want? should I say I am open to all shifts or should I say I would prefer nights? I am more of a night person and would deff prefer night shift but as a new grad you cannot be picky and I would honestly work any shift with a smile on my face because I would be sooo happy to have the job.
Also after the interview what questions did you ask the panel? I read on your earlier post you said after your interview they called you a week later and told you that you got the job? is that typically how it is for the new grads? so there are no second interviews?

I didn't see the private message in my account but I can answer the questions you asked here. I wasn't asked about shift until after I was hired, but I think you should be honest if you prefer to work nights. I know on my floor most of the nurses prefer days because if you are married and have kids, which I don't, they like to be at work when their kids are at school and home in the evenings to put them to bed. Actually your comment about working any shift with a smile on your face because you would be happy to have a job would probably go over big in an interview.

I was trying to think of the questions I asked since I think because of nerves I blanked some of that out. I do remember I asked if the position was a float position or if I would only be working on one floor, I asked how close the hospital was to magnet status ( but if you ask that you better be sure you know what a magnet hospital is ),I asked when I might be notified about the position if I got it, and I stayed away from any questions on pay etc. since I would find out soon enough.

My situation on being notified about the job is probably a little different since this was my third try at UCSD since graduating and I did get 8 months experience in at Loma Linda Univ. Medical Center. In my case that was my foot in the door since that hospital is very well known for its cancer programs. The second time I had applied and got the interview it was a wait of about 2 weeks before they sent me the rejection email. Some of it depends on how desperate the department is for new nurses. Hope this helps.

ocgal · Dec 1, 2011

I just responded to your message, I hope it went through ok this time. =)