Pioneer Staffing Services - Centinela Medical Center New Grads

Natty143 · Apr 22, 2020

Hello! It was really a no brainer for me. I accepted the offer and went in the next day to sign the contract. I would not let that process deter you from making your decision. Of course, you need to proceed with what aligns well with you. Most hospitals that have a new grad residency program have you sign a contract anyway. I had all my credentials I needed prior to my interview because I knew eventually I would start working and most hospitals require you to have ACLS prior to working. However, that is an easy fix just search up ACLS certification courses. As stated above by Jay310, you really cannot be picky as a new grad, most hospitals that have new grad programs have contracts, and most importantly you will get a lot of experience there and at the end of your two years if you choose to leave, you will have the skills needed thats required from an experienced nurse. I hope this helps. Good luck!

W0819 · Apr 23, 2020

Thanks Natty!! Yeah, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to even interview. I recently moved from another state and definitely underestimated how hard it would be to get a new graduate position out here. Also FYI, some of the residencies are on pause because of COVID-19. I appreciate the advice. Stay well!

BA29 · May 9, 2020

Hey all,

I am also a new grad who recently moved to the area (got my license back in October and had it endorsed by Cali in February). How did you find the new grad positions at Centinela? Did you contact the pioneer healthcare services/send them your resume or did they post new grad openings throughout the year? I see that you all seemed to have interviews over the last few months. And any other places you recommend applying? I’m working on a 1 hour radius around LA LOL. Thanks!

W0819 · May 9, 2020

Hey, so they reached out to me and I interviewed with Mike. However, the posting is on Indeed. I am also a new grad RN having a hard time finding a job out here. I recently relocated from the East Coast. If you have any questions about this company feel free to PM me.

oldgrad66 · May 27, 2020

Hey guys,

I'm wondering how the process with Centinela is going? If you have the time I would really appreciate hearing about your orientation and your experience with Pioneer? Would you recommend it to others?

Jay310, BSN, RN · May 27, 2020

Hi! It's going super well!! I'm on a really awesome unit 5 East with a good team and support system. My orientation experience has been great and no different from the other employees! My orienting period ends on June 12th and I'll be on my own June 13th! Now for someone who really has had a hard time getting into a new grad program and someone who just wants the experience and to get their foot in the door. I recommend them ! No complaints from me.

oldgrad66 · May 27, 2020

14 hours ago, Jay310 said:
Hi! It's going super well!! I'm on a really awesome unit 5 East with a good team and support system. My orientation experience has been great and no different from the other employees! My orienting period ends on June 12th and I'll be on my own June 13th! Now for someone who really has had a hard time getting into a new grad program and someone who just wants the experience and to get their foot in the door. I recommend them ! No complaints from me.

Hey, that's awesome! I always read mixed reviews about what it's like to work there so it's great to hear that things are going well. Do you feel like you'll be ready to be on your own on the 13th? I know some people find the 6 weeks to not be long enough.

And you just described me to a T. I have had a terrible time as a new grad LOL. At this point I really just want to get my foot in the door.

Do you mind telling me more about the interview process? Did they ask a lot of clinical scenario questions during your interview?

Jay310, BSN, RN · May 27, 2020

So its actually an 8 week orientation. I heard it used to be 6 weeks a while back but I guess they changed it. I feel I will definitely be ready by June 13th! I have a good preceptor and there have been so many clinical scenarios already that it just was easy for me to learn and catch on. And yea I totally get you it's hard so this is a good option for you, just hope you end up on a good unit cause I heard some arent as nice as others ya know? Hit and miss. For the interview with Mike at Pioneer it was really easy he just asked me what experience I had in Nursing school, what I would be comfortable with, etc. At Centinela my interview with the clinical supervisor was a little harder since he did ask me some questions like do I know about Trachs, Vents, PICC lines etc. And he did ask about one clincial scenario which I dont recall at the moment but it was related I think to respiratory distress. Overall though I would say it wasnt a terrible interview experience

oldgrad66 · May 29, 2020

On 5/27/2020 at 1:39 PM, Jay310 said:
So its actually an 8 week orientation. I heard it used to be 6 weeks a while back but I guess they changed it. I feel I will definitely be ready by June 13th! I have a good preceptor and there have been so many clinical scenarios already that it just was easy for me to learn and catch on. And yea I totally get you it's hard so this is a good option for you, just hope you end up on a good unit cause I heard some arent as nice as others ya know? Hit and miss. For the interview with Mike at Pioneer it was really easy he just asked me what experience I had in Nursing school, what I would be comfortable with, etc. At Centinela my interview with the clinical supervisor was a little harder since he did ask me some questions like do I know about Trachs, Vents, PICC lines etc. And he did ask about one clincial scenario which I dont recall at the moment but it was related I think to respiratory distress. Overall though I would say it wasnt a terrible interview experience

So I had an interview today for a job at Centinela and they told me the 8 week orientation was tempprary due to covid (at least for the floor I interviewed for) and that going forward it would be 6 weeks. I also didn't get asked any clinical scenario questions, although that might have been because the interview was running long ?‍♀️

Anyway, I'm supposed to come in for a medication test. Did you have to take one? I haven't read about anyone having to take one in other posts so I wonder if this is a new thing or if it is specific to certain floors. If you did have to take one was it only dosage calculations or was it pharmacology as well? Do you know if we have to get 100% on it?

Btw, thank you for answering all of my questions!

Jay310, BSN, RN · May 30, 2020

Oh WOW!. I had no idea the 8 weeks was temporary. I feel 8 weeks is the perfect amount of time since we didn't get a chance to do all of orientation classes due to COVID. We only did some orientation days/classes. Also yes we took a medication test during the nursing orientation. This wasnt part of the interview process it was after we got our floor assignments and everything. They gave us a packet to study from on one day then when we came back for a second day of orientation they gave us a test . It was multiple choice with some dosage calculations. Very simple it was no different from nursing school. Also no problem I'll answer what I can!

oldgrad66 · May 30, 2020

1 hour ago, Jay310 said:
Oh WOW!!. I had no idea the 8 weeks was temporary. I feel 8 weeks is the perfect amount of time since we didn't get a chance to do all of orientation classes due to COVID. We only did some orientation days/classes. Also yes we took a medication test during the nursing orientation. This wasnt part of the interview process it was after we got our floor assignments and everything. They gave us a packet to study from on one day then when we came back for a second day of orientation they gave us a test . It was multiple choice with some dosage calculations. Very simple it was no different from nursing school. Also no problem I'll answer what I can!

Oh WOW!. I was told it would usually be the second part of the interview but because the interview was over zoom I would just have to come in and take it. I guess I'll just have to spend the next couple of days brushing up on my pharmacology since I feel pretty comfortable with dosage calculations. I kinda wish I was given that packet before the test, but what can I do ?‍♀️ LOL

Jay310, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2020

LOL it'll be OK! It wasnt too tricky!