new grad RNs in Pittsburgh

arl50 · Jun 15, 2012

Hi! I am a recent new grad from Pitt who has started working at UPMC Presby. As an internal employee (I was a PCT for 2 years), I know that they tend to hire internals first (but then again, I feel like most hospitals do this). In terms of being a second-degree student, I know of second-degree students (also Pitt grads) who have been hired by UPMC, so I don't think they are holding that against you.

It may seem like UPMC prefers Pitt grads, but I feel like more Pitt grads are hired at UPMC facilities because we literally have every clinical rotation at UPMC hospitals. Many of us make connections with unit directors during clinical time, especially during our transitions/senior preceptorship, and are offered jobs upon graduation if positions are open.

WPAHS also hires new grads, and because they expanded West Penn, I know they are hiring as well.

In terms of who to contact, I looked on the employee website, and to contact a nurse recruiter, it says to email [email protected] with questions.

I feel like every hospital is different in terms of "what they are looking for." I am not really sure what UPMC "looks" for specifically, but it does sound like you have good previous employment experiences! Just try to make your resume really stand out, because with most applications being online, I think that is what recruiters have to base their decisions off of.

I hope this helped, and let me know if you have any questions! I'll try my best to answer.

jmlowe85 · Jun 17, 2012

i was hired at presby as a new grad and started in feb. Was called in for a interview three days after applying for a handful of jobs. I moved from ohio as a 2nd degree nurse with a background in management. Just keep applying

logicallyinsane · Aug 13, 2014

This post is 2 years old. I am wondering if you had any luck in your job search at Pittsburgh? I graduated from nursing school in West Virginia back in May. I passed my boards in June. I did my preceptorship at UPMC Presby and thought surely this would help me get a job. I have been applying at UPMC/other Pittsburgh hospitals since March 2014 and have only had 1 interview. I have heard that UPMC is currently in a hiring freeze because of the UPMC/Highmark insurance debacle. Is anyone else out there running into similar problems? I am definitely experiencing the struggle of the new nursing graduate trying to get a job in the big city. I will only look for a job in my home town if I am completely desperate. Yes, it is that bad here. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 13, 2014

This post is 2 years old. I am wondering if you had any luck in your job search at Pittsburgh? I graduated from nursing school in West Virginia back in May. I passed my boards in June. I did my preceptorship at UPMC Presby and thought surely this would help me get a job. I have been applying at UPMC/other Pittsburgh hospitals since March 2014 and have only had 1 interview. I have heard that UPMC is currently in a hiring freeze because of the UPMC/Highmark insurance debacle. Is anyone else out there running into similar problems? I am definitely experiencing the struggle of the new nursing graduate trying to get a job in the big city. I will only look for a job in my home town if I am completely desperate. Yes, it is that bad here. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks.

I don't think there has been much change in nursing employment in most urban areas around the country the two years this posting has been quiescent. If anything, the situation has deteriorated in and around the larger urban areas in PA because nursing school enrollment has continued to increase with no corresponding increase in new nursing jobs or the retirement of older nurses.

As you've found out, a nursing degree is no guarantee of a job in these times. You could consider a number of things to increase your odds of being hired however. Additional certification, such as ACLS and PALS may help. If your are an ADN, getting your BSN could help. It may also be possible for you to do nursing volunteer work to build up your resume. Clinics in your area that work with the medically underserved are often in need of RN's to help with exams, dispense medication and provide health care advice to their patients.

You could also consider working as a CNA to get some experience. Registered nurses in PA qualify for CNA certification on the basis of their nursing licensure - all you need to do is apply for the certification and provide your RN license. Obviously, working as a CNA - which is likely to be in a LTC setting - is less desirable than than working as an RN, but it helps to build your resume and could open the door into nursing employment. A word of caution is in order however: Make sure you are aware of the scope of CNA practice and stay within it if you go this route.

The final suggestion would be to move. The bleak nursing job situation exists in most, but not all, parts of the country. You will face the same employment issues in Miami, Phoenix, LA, Chicago and Boston as in Phila but if you are willing to move to rural areas - in Texas or even PA - you are more likely to find a job situation that is more favorable for a new-grad RN.

Best of luck to you.

Oh'Ello, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2014

UPMC is NOT in a hiring freeze. Most of the people I went to school with have not had luck with UPMC (despite being contractually obligated to find employment with them).