yodapup

No, the ED observation is it's own unit. Most nurses work on this unit for 1-2 years and then transition to the ED. All patients have an observation status meaning they're not inpatient and are here for further testing until they can go home or their condition declines and then they become inpatient (move to an inpatient unit). With that being said, our nurse manager knows most people want to move to the ED and is very supportive to everyone's goals.

For Castle Rock it was med surg and St. Anthony's was ED observation unit. I just accepted the position at St. Anthony's. For Castle Rock, training is 6 weeks on days and 6 weeks nights and then typically new grads go to nights (I work there currently as a nurse extern and I know there are a lot of day shift openings so I'm not sure if new grads will be on days now). For St. Anthony's, all 12 weeks of training are days but then I'll be on nights. I'm not aware of any hospitals that do rotating shifts except for UCH.

I did. Had an interview one week with Castle Rock and then got an email the following week for an interview with St Anthony's.

If you get an offer with Centura, I would take that if I were you. Better pay and no contract, although I was told by 2 different Centura hospitals that they would like for me to stay on the unit for 1 year as a new grad. It’s not an official contract but that’s what I was told. Not that it’s a huge deal breaker, but you also have to pay for parking at UCH and the parking situation is ridiculous there. LOL

I had an interview with Castle Rock med surg last week but I think that's only because I currently work there as a tech. My manager knew I was applying and picked my name out early. But I just got notification yesterday that I was asked for an interview at St. Anthony's ED observation unit that is set to occur next week. I think we're all going to hear more about interviews very soon. Also, there isn't a 2 year contract for Centura residency like there is for other hospital systems.

For those who were waitlisted, I was too and was just notified this morning that I obtained a spot at the south location. Don't give up hope!!

Congrats to everyone that got in! I'm wait listed so more waiting for me.....

I am also in the morning group! I would love to meet up. I have no idea what I'm wearing yet but I can update later.

The immediate surrounding area of the anschutz location is not good. But the good news is the light rail has a stop right at the medical campus so you look up light rail stops and see what might be convient for you. If you're looking for more of a suburban feel, South Aurora is great. There's not much near the Parker location in terms of public transportation. I believe there's a light rail stop near Lincoln and I-25 but you would have to take a bus after that. I'm not sure where all the clinical locations are at but for sure university hospital and children's which are both at the anschutz location. I hope this helps a little.

I used to work as an EMT for about 5 yrs but have been a stay at home mom for the past 2 years. I do already have a bachelors in Kinesiology from almost 10 yrs ago so I had to retake most of the prerequisites.

Glad I found this thread as I received an email for an interview yesterday too! I'm excited and nervous! Does anyone know how many people they accept into the program? On their website it says 25%, is that 25% of people who apply?

I strongly suggest becoming an EMT first, even if it's for 6 months. I know you get paid a lot less as an EMT but the experience you'll gain will be crucial. Paramedic school is tough even for people who have worked as an EMT for 5 years. As a paramedic, you'll be in charge of the scene. Everyone will look up to you for your decision on how to handle the patient. It's not just book smarts, you'll lack experience on how a scene is run, how to talk to the patient, what questions to ask, what route you're going to go down to treat the patient, call ins, hand offs, etc. I know you'll learn a lot of that in school but it's not a lot of time to absorb everything you'll need to know. I've had paramedic students on my rig (when I was working in EMS) and you can definitely tell who had experience as an EMT and who went from "zero to hero". They had the book smarts but were like a deer in headlights 90% of the time. It can be done but it will be very difficult. This is just my experience and advice.

Are you already an EMT? I was going to apply to paramedic school because I loved emergency medicine. But I also knew I wanted to become a nurse one day. I was literally about to mail my application in when I thought, what am I doing? Why pay for paramedic school when I knew I didn't want to do that forever and I'll eventually have to pay for nursing school too. I say, if you're already an EMT and love emergency medicine and you see yourself working as a paramedic for quite a while, then it's worth it.

Yeah I am hoping we will hear about interviews in a week or two. Searching these forums, it looks like they're group interviews?

Anyone here applying? I submitted my application about a week ago and just waiting for all my transcripts to go through. It's going to be so hard waiting a month+ to hear anything back.