UCLA New Grad Spring 2024

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What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing their application statuses for job positions at UCLA, specifically focusing on tabs in the portal, waiting for offers, receiving alternate selections, and sharing experiences with the application process. Some users are sharing their disappointment at not receiving offers but are trying to remain positive and see it as a learning experience. Additionally, there is a discussion about whether UCLA accepts new grads from certain schools.

Hi I recently applied for the Spring 2024 cohort and didn't see a thread yet. How is everyone's application going? 

tchu said:

I just started working as an RN in a small community hospital and would plan on quitting prior to the start date for UCLA.

Should I be telling the directors during the interview that I am working as a RN? I read somewhere that they like to train from no experience so not sure if that would benefit or harm my chances if I tell them LOL ?

I'm kinda on the same situation. Just started this week. I think if they ask you can be honest. Cuz the applications was sent long time ago. And they know we are job hunting like crazy once graduation 

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elisamia said:

I'm kinda on the same situation. Just started this week. I think if they ask you can be honest. Cuz the applications was sent long time ago. And they know we are job hunting like crazy once graduation 

Thank you! 

What unit are you interviewing for? 

I'm going for perinatal. 

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tchu said:

Thank you! 

What unit are you interviewing for? 

I'm going for perinatal. 

I got an interview for OR ?. Good luck to you!! Is this your first time applying?

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elisamia said:

I got an interview for OR ?. Good luck to you!! Is this your first time applying?

Yes, first time applying! I graduated August. Good luck! 

 

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Hi Guys,

I see some peeps asking for interview tips. Since we are all waiting for November to get here, I will invest some time trying to remember some of the questions I have been asked in the past and how I went about answering them. I will be sharing as I recall the info so you can benefit from it as well. Hope this helps!

Before I start with the questions though, let me share a technique I was taught to answer interview questions. It is called the STAR method where "S" stands for SITUATION, "T" stands for TASK, "A" stands for ACTION, and "R" stands for RESULT. Here is the first question with my answer so you can see an example:

1. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient (this question comes up often during interviews).

"S" During clinical rotations at LAC+USC Medical center I was assigned a patient who had been given the staff a hard time since he woke up and was refusing to follow directions.

"T" I was the Student RN assigned to this patient and therefore, the CNA called me into the room when she realized that she was getting nowhere when trying to assist him perform his activities of daily living.

"A" Applying the clarification technique of my therapeutic communication skills, I asked the patient for help in understanding what it was that had made him so upset and assured him that I was there to solve the issue.

"R" By listening to my patient's concerns and acknowledging his needs with respect, I was able to come up with a quick solution.

TIP:

  • Try not to take too long to answer any question. Always remember that the interviewers have limited time to conduct each interview. Also, by keeping your answers short and to the point, you avoid losing your train of thought. The STAR method helps you keep organized.

Okay, here goes the next question:

2. Describe a time when you faced an unsafe situation at work. What did you do and how did it turn out?

Come up with your own answer. You do not have to post it here if you do not wish to share, but if you do, we can help each other by providing constructive criticism. Having said that, what do you think I can improve in the answer given above?

 

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I'm feeling a little discouraged from not hearing back about an interview ?I applied last cohort and applied to peds and got an interview with them. And this time when I reapplied I applied to PICU and like the next day I was like I wish I applied to regular peds again but what can you do. But anyway, I'm just getting stressed and discouraged LOL like I'm genuinely excited and happy seeing others post about getting an interview but I'm also like oh rip me haha. Has anyone heard back from PICU and applied to PICU? I saw someone say they got an interview with PICU but applied to a diff unit 

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plantnurse123 said:

I'm feeling a little discouraged from not hearing back about an interview ?I applied last cohort and applied to peds and got an interview with them. And this time when I reapplied I applied to PICU and like the next day I was like I wish I applied to regular peds again but what can you do. But anyway, I'm just getting stressed and discouraged LOL like I'm genuinely excited and happy seeing others post about getting an interview but I'm also like oh rip me haha. Has anyone heard back from PICU and applied to PICU? I saw someone say they got an interview with PICU but applied to a diff unit 

Maybe they are still sending them out don't lose hope. Do you mind sharing how you feel you did last time? Is it just really hard to get a job offer? I see a lot of people are repeat applicants which is worrisome... Is it just they don't have enough spots? 

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cutie pie xoxo said:

Maybe they are still sending them out don't lose hope. Do you mind sharing how you feel you did last time? Is it just really hard to get a job offer? I see a lot of people are repeat applicants which is worrisome... Is it just they don't have enough spots? 

I'm hoping they're still sending them. I know last time each department sent them at different times so fingers crossed LOL. I felt like I did a good job. I was prepared and had answered to every question. Nothing came as a surprise. A lot of my responses they even said it was a good answer ??‍♀️ IDK the exact number of applicants vs spots available but it is very competitive and at the info sessions there are a lot of repeat applicants asking questions like how to do better the second time. Another person in this thread mentioned how there are just so many nursing graduates from California all fighting for the same spots PLUS out of state ones like me trying to get in LOL. It's just super competitive and ucla is a big name/very well known company so it makes it even harder 

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cutie pie xoxo said:

Maybe they are still sending them out don't lose hope. Do you mind sharing how you feel you did last time? Is it just really hard to get a job offer? I see a lot of people are repeat applicants which is worrisome... Is it just they don't have enough spots? 

So I think there are a few considerations, but ultimately, yes they have a finite amount of openings. Beyond this you have people from, potentially, all over the country applying which makes the applicant pool much bigger. Then there are UCLA nursing alumni, employees, etc. that also likely have some advantage. I think because it is such a desirable place to work due to location and the hospital and its reputation, it is just very difficult to land a new grad job there. But keep hope for an invite, it's not over yet!! 

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plantnurse123 said:

I'm hoping they're still sending them. I know last time each department sent them at different times so fingers crossed LOL. I felt like I did a good job. I was prepared and had answered to every question. Nothing came as a surprise. A lot of my responses they even said it was a good answer ??‍♀️ IDK the exact number of applicants vs spots available but it is very competitive and at the info sessions there are a lot of repeat applicants asking questions like how to do better the second time. Another person in this thread mentioned how there are just so many nursing graduates from California all fighting for the same spots PLUS out of state ones like me trying to get in LOL. It's just super competitive and ucla is a big name/very well known company so it makes it even harder 

I'm super nervous for the interview now LOL was it questions like.. 

Tell me about yourself, why ucla, why this department, example of a conflict w coworker, example of a stressful time during clinicals, strengths& weaknesses? 

That's what I'm gonna prep for but IDK if I'm missing something ?

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tchu said:

I'm super nervous for the interview now LOL was it questions like.. 

Tell me about yourself, why ucla, why this department, example of a conflict w coworker, example of a stressful time during clinicals, strengths& weaknesses? 

That's what I'm gonna prep for but IDK if I'm missing something ?

Haha it's been several months so I don't remember all of them. But I do remember they didn't ask strength/weakness or why ucla surprisingly. (This was for peds in Santa Monica) but they did ask why peds, leadership examples, where I see myself in 5 years, what do you think you'll struggle with most in this role/department, my personal ways I cope with stress/hobbies I like, managing conflict with coworkers or patient, and why did I choose nursing as a profession. So mostly behavioral type questions and some get to know you questions 

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I'm so discouraged. I got an interview invite yesterday and I'm interviewing with the same unit and same interviewers as last time. do you think they will remember me? should I mention that I interviewed with them last round?! ?

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