Penn State Hershey's Medical Center GN Residency 2012

haccSN · Sep 23, 2011

hi SimplisticRnx,

I am a Hacc SN in my last semester; will graduate in December this year. I have applied to the Hershey's GN Residency program (the first day it was posted lol). They sent me a link to a list of questionaires which I've already answered. Now, I'm just working on the last, also the most time-consuming part, the portfolio. I have the cover letter, resume, and transcript letter. I still need to write a clinical narrative.

Did you finish your portfolio already? or do you still need to get started on that?

quick note: I applied on Sept 1st but I had NO idea that the link to the questionaire from the recruiter's e-mail got TOSSED into my SPAM box!!! so I sat around waited and waited, until a friend told me that I should have received it already. So be careful, if you haven't received that e-mail chances are it's in your spam box, go dig it out!!

Good luck with everything. I hope you will get the opportunity to interview and receive an offer.

btw, which school do you go to?

SimplisticRnx · Sep 24, 2011

Hi Hacc SN. I am still in the process of finishing the portfolio. I agreed, it takes forever to finish especially the narrative. I am actually applying from out of states, hoping to relocate in PA. Which units are applying for? Good luck to both of us. I hope we'll get something soon :)

hi SimplisticRnx,
I am a Hacc SN in my last semester; will graduate in December this year. I have applied to the Hershey's GN Residency program (the first day it was posted lol). They sent me a link to a list of questionaires which I've already answered. Now, I'm just working on the last, also the most time-consuming part, the portfolio. I have the cover letter, resume, and transcript letter. I still need to write a clinical narrative.
Did you finish your portfolio already? or do you still need to get started on that?
quick note: I applied on Sept 1st but I had NO idea that the link to the questionaire from the recruiter's e-mail got TOSSED into my SPAM box!!! so I sat around waited and waited, until a friend told me that I should have received it already. So be careful, if you haven't received that e-mail chances are it's in your spam box, go dig it out!!
Good luck with everything. I hope you will get the opportunity to interview and receive an offer.
btw, which school do you go to?

MrsBradyMom · Sep 28, 2011

I applied for the last round, which was a residency starting July 2011. I never got an interview....even with a GPA of 3.88 and 3 years worth of LPN experience (got my RN in May). It was my understanding that they received almost 500 applications for 67 openings and of course, the BSN is heavily favored.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, I'm just encouraging you to keep looking and not put all your eggs in one basket like I did. The good news is a lot of places in this area ARE hiring and they ARE hiring new grads. Holy Spirit hospital just opened up a new grad residency as well.

Good luck to you both!

haccSN · Sep 29, 2011

I just finished my portfolio and in the process of giving them the reference checks. I was really optimistic but now I'm not so sure since you didn't get in even with that high of a GPA and years of experience. Didn't you go to HACC, MrsBradyMom? how on earth did you manage to keep such a high GPA lol? I am in 206 and struggling to maintain my B average right now. It's just really sad that the BSN grads are heavily favored over ADN's because they want to keep their Magnet status. I plan to get my BSN asap after graduation so hopefully I can convince them that I am a suitable candidate, if I get an interview, that is.

Well, I am certainly not putting all my eggs in one basket as I've applied to York Memorial Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital, and Pinnacle Health System.

Thank you and I hope you've found a great place of employment.

MrsBradyMom · Oct 3, 2011

Yes, I am a HACC grad, lol. I graduated the PN program with a 4.0....thats the only reason I was able to keep my high GPA. I got B's in 205 & 206 :) 206 darn near killed me!

I woulthe d make sure you put your intentions of a BSN right in your cover letter. Also, don't limit your specialties, keep it real broad & be willing to take anything.

I'm glad to hear you have applied other places! You will find something, our area still seems to be ok. Most of the people I graduated with have jobs. Good luck to you & please keep me updated!!!

Im a Pepper · Oct 8, 2011

I applied to this program as well and I'm interested in hearing thoughts on it. Also, does anyone know what they are currently paying new graduates? Thanks in advance!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

Hey everyone.
Thought it would be nice to start this thread. Has anyone applied for this residency program or has been through this program? I just applied to the program and am curious to learn more about this program. Anyone went through the interview process? What's the nursing interview like and how is your experience working there? Any tips and information is greatly appreciated

I applied last year and didn't get a job offer but did get an interview. I remember it was a combination of standard interview type questions, goals, strengths, weaknesses, my interest in the unit, plus a couple of clinical questions (you go in to a room and the patient complains of chest pain- what do you do; a series of 5 things you need to do and your priorities; oh and if I told you we wanted you to start right now, had scrubs in your size, what would you need from us to start working). Got a tour of the unit and met with the educator and unit manager.

SimplisticRnx · Oct 8, 2011

Thanks so much for the info!! :) I'm sorry that you didn't get an offer for the job. Did you have a BSN or ADN? By the way, did they really asked you that scrubs question? I wonder what kind of answers they would be looking for :rolleyes:

I applied last year and didn't get a job offer but did get an interview. I remember it was a combination of standard interview type questions, goals, strengths, weaknesses, my interest in the unit, plus a couple of clinical questions (you go in to a room and the patient complains of chest pain- what do you do; a series of 5 things you need to do and your priorities; oh and if I told you we wanted you to start right now, had scrubs in your size, what would you need from us to start working). Got a tour of the unit and met with the educator and unit manager.

SimplisticRnx · Oct 13, 2011

Anyone know when contacts will be made?

Im a Pepper · Oct 13, 2011

Anyone know when contacts will be made?

Lynn's mass email sent out on October 7th stated, "If you are selected to interview, we will go by the date(s) you indicated on your Questionnaire, and you will receive an invitation toward the end of October."

haccSN · Oct 14, 2011

Hopefully we'll find out soon sometime next week or the week after that. I'm really nervous. The nurse recruiter mentioned that 255 applications were received and 211 applicants completed the Questionnaires. I don't know how many of those 211 sent in their portfolios but there are only 56 positions available for the Residency program. I'll post more whenever I hear something from Hershey! =)