UCH New Grad RN residency program?

U.S.A. Colorado

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I just got hired into this program and was wondering if anyone else out here will be starting October 20th - I'm in day surgery!:nurse:

Hi NCtoCOgirl,

I was just wondering what you thought of the UCH Residency program? I have an interview with them for their program that starts in the end of October 2011. I just found out that they still start new grads at $22.50, which was really disappointing to hear. I'm from Oregon, and I was planning to fly to Denver for the interview but now I'm reconsidering due to the starting wage. Obviously I would move if I was offered the job, but I don't know if it is worth it for $22.50/hr.

I graduated May 2011, and the job market for new grads in Portland is not very good, but it sure pays more than $22.50/hr. They start around $25-$32.

I hear good things about UCH's residency program, and I would love to start out somewhere where I'm supported to build on my practice. Could you give me some feedback? Thanks.

I interviewed at UCH in May 2009 for the new grad program and will start on July 27. The interview was pretty straightforward. I strongly recommend googling nursing interview questions and practicing your answers beforehand. Come up with some stories you can tell about your nursing experiences that illustrate the kinds of things you want the interviewers to know about you. My panel consisted of a nurse manager, a nurse educator, and an RN. It lasted about 45 minutes. I also suggest that you think about your 'elevator speech' -- what could you say about yourself in a two-minute introduction? What would you say about yourself if they didn't ask you any questions at all? What would stand out? I found these exercises to be very helpful.

UCH starts (as of now) new grads at $22.50/hr with all the normal shift differentials, plus an extremely competitive benefits program. As far as I know, this starting rate is not negotiable. It is one of the strongest nurse residency programs out there, in my opinion, and to me that makes up for any dollar-or-two difference in pay that may exist among UCH and various local hospitals.

I also suggest to anyone who's trying to get into a specific hospital that you pursue an ACP/CA type position within the hospital before you graduate. (This is the terminology used by UCH and TCH, but basically it's just that limbo position between being a CNA and an RN that hospitals often use for students. There are a number of people in my class of new grads who were already working for UCH in this capacity before applying, and it is my sense that it gave them a real leg up.)

Best of luck!

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Hi jazbear21... Do you know which unit you're interviewing for? I'm also interviewing with them for the Oct. 2011 start. $22.50 is disappointing for sure.

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Zippy7: I'm not completely sure what unit I'm interviewing for, but I'm assuming it's one of the units I picked, which was neuroscience/orthopedics/surgery and medicine/pulmonary. How about you? And are you from Colorado?

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wow, $22.50 is pretty bad. i want to move to CO in the worst way after i graduate from my RN program, but that's less than i make now as an LPN in IL. being close to the mountains might make up for it, but still...

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I'm interviewing at the BMT/Onco unit. I'm currently in AZ... When's yours scheduled? Mine's on the 30th. I'm a little nervous.

Zippy7: I'm not completely sure what unit I'm interviewing for, but I'm assuming it's one of the units I picked, which was neuroscience/orthopedics/surgery and medicine/pulmonary. How about you? And are you from Colorado?
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Mine is scheduled on Oct. 3rd, 2011. I'm still not sure whether I'll go through with the interview though.

I'm interviewing at the BMT/Onco unit. I'm currently in AZ... When's yours scheduled? Mine's on the 30th. I'm a little nervous.
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Hi jazbear... Are you having second thoughts about the salary?

Mine is scheduled on Oct. 3rd, 2011. I'm still not sure whether I'll go through with the interview though.
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Yes, I'm having second thoughts because of the salary.

Hi jazbear... Are you having second thoughts about the salary?
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Zippy7: How did your interview go? I cancelled my interview.

I'm interviewing at the BMT/Onco unit. I'm currently in AZ... When's yours scheduled? Mine's on the 30th. I'm a little nervous.
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