UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica

kneRN · Jul 4, 2007

I worked at Santa Monica for a little over a year and I loved it. I worked in the peds department. as far as overtime, you get paid for OT after 40 hours for the week.

their new grad program is pretty good (I did my new grad residency there).

good luck! I hope to go back there if and when I move back to L.A.

smile123 · Jul 8, 2007

hi ! today i had my first ever interview nursing job interview. ucla medical center has a training program, its a 1 year new grad residency program. so i think its great and all, but i guess i wasnt clear on their salary. i understand that its around 29 bucks an hour. i got the impression that they only pay time and a half or double time only on after 40 hours a week or after 12 hours a day. so....when i work 8 hours with 29 dollar, then the last four hours would also just be 29 an hour or is it time and a half. i guess i was confused.

also if anyone has worked on the cardiology unit/geriatric unit- what did you think...i am a little intimidated with the high acuity patients for my first year....i need advice, i am going crazy trying to find the right fit for my first step in my nursing career. help!!! any info would help.

thank you

typically, you would work 3 - 12 hours shifts. you do not get "overtime" after the 8th hour of a 12 hour shift. you would only get overtime if you worked more than 40 hours/week. so note in a regular week, you would work 36 hours at $29/hr. if you work weekends (rns generally work every other weekend) or rotate to the night shift (typically, rns would rotate every month), you would earn a differential on top of the regular hourly rate.

in terms of acuity level, yes, cardiac/geriatric can be challenging. but you will have a preceptor to shadow and teach you how to care for patients on that floor. you will also learn time management, how to determine what is most critical on a dynamic floor, and when to ask for help. eventually, you will get the rhythm of the floor, but it will take at least 6 months to a year. so go in with a positive attitude and don't be afraid to ask questions. make friends with the nurses' aids (cna's) and learn which nurses are willing to help new grads. building relationships on the team is helpful to your success on the unit. good luck!

ASU, Student Nurse · Jul 13, 2010

I worked at Santa Monica for a little over a year and I loved it. I worked in the peds department. as far as overtime, you get paid for OT after 40 hours for the week.
their new grad program is pretty good (I did my new grad residency there).
good luck! I hope to go back there if and when I move back to L.A.

Was this a difficult program to get into? I plan on applying next October when I graduate. Thanks.