UCHealth vs. Centura Health Residency Programs

yodapup, BSN, EMT-B · Sep 29, 2020

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

pandabearlover · Sep 30, 2020

When I interviewed with UC Health for their new grad program in November I was told that you start out rotating, the 2 year contract being UNIT specific so if you leave the unit before your 2 years is up it is up to $7,500 fine. So if you're wanting to move up from med/surg to higher level like PCU or ICU or any other kind of specialized unit, that is very limiting. You also have to consider if you had a bad experience and wanted to leave, that would reflect on your resume and to other hiring managers that you left before your contract was up and that could have consequences possibly. UC Health has the big name, but Centura also has top ranked hospitals in Colorado as well, no contract and the ability to move up based on whatever your career goals are. Check nursing reviews on like glassdoor and indeed because I found that very helpful. I wouldn't go based off of pay because as a new grad anywhere you go pay is crap and living in Colorado the cost of living is high and nursing isn't quite well compensated. Hope this helps!

pizzaqween, BSN · Sep 30, 2020

Well I didn’t get the Centura one so I’m doing UCHealth, I hope I don’t hate it ????

I’m really hoping they changed the rotating thing, when I interviewed I asked them about that specifically because people on here had said that it was a thing, and she said you may be on days if your preceptor is on days for those 12 weeks and vice versa (you just work whatever your preceptor works) but that once you actually start you’ll either do days or nights and you won’t switch between them. Hopefully they don’t go back and say I do have to rotate, even in the interview I was like “my biggest thing is I do NOT want to rotate” and she said they don’t on that floor? ???

Worst case, with UCHealth she did say that after the first year of full time, you can do part time or PRN the second year. Not ideal of course but if I absolutely hate it and worst comes to worst, I guess I could work PRN if they’d let me and then get another job somewhere else. Gah I’m scared of UCHealth now ? the contract is the one thing that’s been freaking me out more than anything else but it’s literally the only job I could find as a new grad in the Springs without driving to Denver. I hope I like it ??

native · Oct 9, 2020

Don't be too afraid. UCHealth has the most competitive program in Denver for a reason. What unit will you be on?

pizzaqween, BSN · Oct 9, 2020

@native yeah, I mean I do feel pretty good about it overall considering that. I guess I won’t really know anything until I start. I can make the best of it for 2 years if I don’t end up liking it but I’m just gonna try and be optimistic. I’m in the Springs but I’ll be on 5N Medical.

native · Oct 9, 2020

? It will be OK. Be proud to have gotten one of those coveted spots!

islandnurse6 , BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2020

Hey there! I am also new to the state and starting the October cohort in Springs as well!

pizzaqween, BSN · Oct 13, 2020

@islandnurse6 ah yay! ? Where will you be?

islandnurse6 , BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2020

@pizzaqween I'll be in the ortho-spine unit!

pizzaqween, BSN · Oct 14, 2020

@islandnurse6 awesome! I’m sure we will meet soon! I’m excited to get started ?