VA Palo Alto New Graduate Program 2012

septemberRN · Feb 11, 2012

Sorry I meant to write sooner but this week had been crazy. I had an interview this week at Menlo Park. There were three interviewers, all very nice. The confusing part was I thought I was being interviewed for a mental health unit, and instead it was long term care. The interviewers had a piece of paper that they read questions from; really basic stuff like why should we hire you over the other candidates (there were six total, they told me), have you had any leadership experience, what was your favorite rotation...they told me all the other candidates would get the exact same questions (I think we were all interviewed that day, which is why I feel comfortable sharing the questions). I do not know if they use the same format for the Palo Alto Hospital New Grad positions, though.

Good luck to everyone!

Bella2004 · Feb 11, 2012

Hey septemberRN...have you heard of anyone being contacted?? or any of your references being contacted? I hear the interviewing managers had to turn in a name by Friday.

septemberRN · Feb 11, 2012

I actually completely forget to ask when they would be making their decision! But no, I haven't heard of anyone being contact yet. I know I wasn't! :)

EDrn2b · Feb 11, 2012

I think people have already been chosen and called back. A friend of mine interviewed and they called her references on Thursday, she was notified that she got the job on Friday around 5pm. She interviewed on one of the floors at the Palo Alto campus. I didn't get a callback after my interview so I'm assuming I didn't get the position. I hope this helps.

Bella2004 · Feb 11, 2012

Thanks it definitely helps, I assumed people would be contacted Friday.

gell0rn · Feb 13, 2012

Good Morning All,

I just received a call from HR at 8am "tentatively" offering me a position in the Medical Telemetry & Oncology Unit at VA Palo Alto, pending background check and physical, which they schedule this week. Good luck everyone!!!

bayareastudent0711 · Feb 13, 2012

i just got my rejection email ten minutes ago =/ it hurts.

sighh on to the next one.

congratulations to all that are moving on and i'm wishing you the best of luck! =)

septemberRN · Feb 13, 2012

Yeah, I just got my rejection, too. Congratulations to everyone who got job offers! And for those of us that didn't, I think we're just meant for something else.

starghadeer · Feb 13, 2012

i got a rejection email too! love your positive attitude SeptemberRN.

Bella2004 · Feb 13, 2012

I'm waiting for my rejection email...I just need the confirmtion although I'm sure everyone has been contacted by now.

rrockstar88, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2012

Hi everyone, I'm catching this thread a little late, but I just read all your comments and thought I would chime in. I had a great interview last week in PA and felt really confident. Have been super depressed since I received my rejection letter yesterday. It's so difficult to even get an interview these days that I was really hopeful. Oh, well. Nothing to do but keep on keeping on!

So, where are y'all applying next!? I'm just about out of ideas! :scrying:

Congratulations to all who were chosen. And Happy Valentine's Day! :redpinkhe

septemberRN · Feb 15, 2012

I accepted a job at the Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. They have a critical care new graduate program that accepts about 20 students. I was also offered a job at a mental health facility (the night shift) in Fargo, North Dakota, and I got a call back from a hospital that accepted new grads (McKennan Hospital) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (but didn't get that position).

Everyday for weeks I applied to at least three jobs (some new grad, some that did not specify experience required) a day. I aimed my cover letter to each hospital, and would mention their vision, mission, etc.

There are jobs in places (with snow during winter, usually) in towns people normally don't flock to, and I think this was my key to getting my foot in the door. Good luck everybody!