Desiring a job at UCLA medical center

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I was hoping that someone could provide me with some insight on how difficult it is to get into the new grad program at UCLA medical center. I am going to be graduating from Kent State University (in Ohio) this coming December '09 with my BSN with at least a 3.5 cumulative gpa. I have worked at the Cleveland Clinic as a nursing assistant for a year now but do not want to stay on board there because I am dying to live out west and get out of this snow belt! I'm planning on visiting this hospital on a weekend in September and going to a recruitment in Maryland in October. Basically, I just want to know what my chances are of getting a job at UCLA (given I get my CA nursing license instead of an Ohio one). I would LOVE to work in an ICU of some type so that I can go on to eventually get my CRNA. Also, if anyone currently or has ever worked there or gone through the new grad program...how is/was it? Any advice or information for me would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you SO much for taking the time to read all of this!! :wink2:

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I'm in the same boat as you... I will be graduating in December '09 and I would love to work at UCLA, however I emailed the nurse recruiter and asked if there would be a new grad program this winter and she said no. So then I asked if they ever hire new grads without having a program, like if a unit were willing to hire a new grad and train them themselves, and she said no, they only hire new grads in batches and the next new grad program won't be until next summer.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I figured I could save you some emailing at least. Sorry

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I figured they only hire them in batches and if you think about it, summer wouldn't be an awful start date. Although it would leave you jobless for a couple of months, by the time you are able to take your boards and receive your results...it will be close to February at the earliest. I guess what I'm saying is I could wait three months from then...especially for me because I'll want to get settled into a new place and get familiar with the area. I e-mailed the nurse recruiter about everything so when she gets back to me, I'll let you know if she gives me any more details! Thank you for replying to me :)

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Please do yourself a favor and don't wait for their new grad program in the summer (August) if you graduate in December. You may not even be guaranteed a position after you are hired (verbally). The reason why there is no program this winter is because there is a hiring freeze. Some of the new grads that were offered jobs this summer where given an "Im sorry but I cannot have you start now, come back in 6 months" speech. So, to sum it up, don't limit yourself to one hospital. Good luck

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