persistancepays

No, once you have more than 6 months experience you can apply to any open position that you are qualified for. I didn't know that until I called and spoke with HR because I didn't know what to apply for. If you get hired into a position, you will still go through an orientation period, which is a modified new grad program. I don't remember that particular question, but I know if you have more than the 6 months, you cannot apply for the regular new grad position. When I was told what to do, I found a position that week and applied to it, had an interview by the end of the week and started working that next week. Good Luck!

On small piece of advice from someone who went through the interviews twice..On the first interview I totally "blew" a question and know it before I even left the interview so I was prepared the next time. Now I have now been working at Thornton since Aug. in oncology and love it. If they ask a question about how you would deal with a problem with another nurse be sure you explain how you would speak with the nurse and try to work things out. It is only a very last resort that you go to the charge nurse. Also I had a question "what if a nurse had taken photos of a patient, what would you do" Obviously you would tell her/him it is inappropriate but they want to hear you say that you are the patient advocate and it is up to you to look out for the patients rights. Just be sure to relax and be yourself. They really want to get a feel for your personality to see if you are a fit for their floor. Good Luck

Just keep trying..I didn't get hired by UCSD until my third interview. The first time I didn't make it out of the heap of applications. The second time I made it to a department to be considered for an interview. I got the interview and blew a question. At that point I went elsewhere ( Loma Linda in Riverside ) got hired into a new grad position ( clinical nurse B postings on their website ), worked there 8 months and reapplied to UCSD. I applied on a Wednesday, got called on a Thursday, and hired on a Monday and now I've been here since August. I can understand your frustration, keep trying, but don't put all your eggs in one basket. You may have to go elsewhere first before revisiting UCSD. It is a great place to work. Good Luck!

Did you get a job at UCSD? If so I work there and live about a mile away, The Regents apartments, and love the place. There's a Starbucks right out the front door on my way to work. UTC Shopping Center is right down the road, loads of restaurants, and about a 10 minute drive to the beach. I have a two bedroom condo which I share with a friend of mine and we pay about 1900 per month. There are also a lot of cheaper places that are still very nice in La Jolla. I think you might want to stay away from Chula Vista.

I didn't see the private message in my account but I can answer the questions you asked here. I wasn't asked about shift until after I was hired, but I think you should be honest if you prefer to work nights. I know on my floor most of the nurses prefer days because if you are married and have kids, which I don't, they like to be at work when their kids are at school and home in the evenings to put them to bed. Actually your comment about working any shift with a smile on your face because you would be happy to have a job would probably go over big in an interview. I was trying to think of the questions I asked since I think because of nerves I blanked some of that out. I do remember I asked if the position was a float position or if I would only be working on one floor, I asked how close the hospital was to magnet status ( but if you ask that you better be sure you know what a magnet hospital is ),I asked when I might be notified about the position if I got it, and I stayed away from any questions on pay etc. since I would find out soon enough. My situation on being notified about the job is probably a little different since this was my third try at UCSD since graduating and I did get 8 months experience in at Loma Linda Univ. Medical Center. In my case that was my foot in the door since that hospital is very well known for its cancer programs. The second time I had applied and got the interview it was a wait of about 2 weeks before they sent me the rejection email. Some of it depends on how desperate the department is for new nurses. Hope this helps.

I'm working in oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant unit but we get all kinds of patients...it's 3 west. Good Luck!

I started in August and my pay is approximately $34 with differentials only for nights, weekends, and holidays. Fridays count as weekends too. I have my Bachelors of Science in Nursing and did go into the job with 8 months experience from Loma Linda University Medical Center. Keep in mind, if you get the job or should I say when, there are a lot of deductions from your pay. ( Tax, Union Dues, Disability, Insurance, mandatory retirement account, and you do have to pay for your parking )

Each department varies their questions. but there are the standard questions. Why do you want to work here, what can you offer us, your strengths and weaknesses, etc. I didn't get any medical situation questions, however, they asked questions about how you would handle problems with a difficult doctor, nurse, etc. That was the question I "blew" in my first round of interviews. What they don't want to hear is that you go to your charge nurse if there is a problem with another nurse. They want you to work our your own problems whenever possible. The panel is also very interested in if you are a "fit" for their floor- so personality is very important. Make sure you know the mission statement and have a good idea of what it means to be a "Magnet hospital" since they are really close to gaining this recognition. In my case they also asked me what kinds of specific medical experiences I had worked with already, i.e. admitting patients, administering meds, charting, etc. Just be yourself. When I got hired in August it was because they liked me as a person and of coorifice my externships and experience helped. Good Luck!

First your application goes to HR and if someone likes it, it gets referred to the departments they think you are qualified for. It's the individual departments who decide who they finally want to interview. The interview was a panel for me with department head, charge nurses, and floor nurses. It can or cannot be a long process (but not as bad as UCLA) When I applied for oncology I had recently graduated, May 2010, and had two externships in oncology. The first time I applied, I didn't even get out of HR. The second time I applied I got notified that they referred me on to the next level. Then I got notified that they did not choose me to go further. About three weeks later I got a call and they wanted to know if I was still interested, I was and got an interview. Thought the interview went pretty well but "blew" one question. After two tries I applied to Loma Linda University Medical ( available positions are listed as "Clinical Nurse B positons,not as "new grad" )where they interviewed 8 people and took all of us. After 8 months there I reapplied at UCSD and immediately got an interview and hired within one week(Aug) Third time's the charm. An interesting fact is I am the only nurse on my floor from the area; there are nurses from North Carolina, Boston, Chicago, Arizona, San Francisco, etc. Competition is tough but keep trying, it is definitely a great hospital.

Internals are the people who are currently working at UCSD and want to change their specialities.

I would suggest checking "indeed.com" every morning when you get up. Put in to sort for "New grad RN positions" in San Diego or even broader, southern California. That way you have a heads up when new grad programs are starting. I went to that site religiously when I was looking for a job and after three tries at UCSD, landed my job. Sometimes it takes awhile so hang in there. I actually took an RN oncology position at Loma Linda Univ. Medical center first for 8 months and then transferred down to UCSD. Hard to believe I've been a nurse for almost a full year. Good Luck!

Sharp was the very first interview I went too and the panel interview threw me off since I didn't know it was a panel. The group I had weren't very outgoing so it was difficult to read their expressions. They asked the standard questions like why do you want to work here at Sharp ( so be sure you know their mission statement ), what do you have to offer sharp, why you chose your particular field, your strengths and weaknesses, etc. Then in my interview they also asked if I every made any mistakes (hard to answer if you haven't had much hospital work ), what would you do if you had trouble with another colleague or nurse (here I made my mistake and said I could go to the charge nurse--they want you to work it out with the nurse on your own and only as a last resort go to the charge nurse ) The best question was the last one where they asked if I was having people over for Thanksgiving and last minute forgot that I didn't put the turkey in the oven, what would I do. Really random question. You're on your own if they ask that one. Good Luck Colleague now working at UCSD Thornton Hospital

You might want to check Sharp Healthcare. I think in San Diego they are starting another new grad program and will be accepting app. Oct 11th to 17th or somewhere in that timeframe. Good Luck

Also check daily on websites like "Indeed.com" ( That's the one that gave me most of the jobs I got interviews at and also where I found my job at UCSD ). Put as you search phrase "RN new grad" and list the area you are interested. I always listed southern California or San Diego or LA , etc. They list positions within hours of them being posted and you can click on the positions and it takes you right to the website and job announcement. I also agree that you should call the hospitals because many hospitals have different ways of listing new grad positions such as Loma Linda University Medical Center in Riverside lists them as Clinical Nurse B. Good Luck

For your info...I do know that they have started interviewing some of the candidates. I recently got hired (3 weeks ago) in the oncology BMT department and I heard that our floor was doing some interviewing. Good Luck, it's a great!! hospital.