UCLA New Grad Summer 2014

MsRNAqueelah · May 18, 2014

Hi... I just wanted to share my experience so far for current applicants and future ones. I am going to give dates so you guys get a good idea of the time frame surrounding the process so far. I am going to share some info but I won't give away specific details to keep the interview process fair for all applicants and because I believe it is better to be yourself during the interview.
4/29 I received the email invitation to interview for my 1st choice, CCU/Med-Surge ICU at Santa Monica. The email gave a link to select a time for the 20 min interview at a UCLA building close to the UCLA campus. The time options are per hour, for example from 8 am to 9 am, from 9 am to 10 am, etc... so per hour 3 candidates could RSVP.
Monday 05/12 I arrived to interview and I was asked to fill the background check and they got my fingerprints scanned because I am from SF (my understanding is that for local applicants this process may take place some other day after interviews). I answered 2 written questions (very easy ones don't freak out at all). Then, I interviewed with the unit director and the unit nurse specialist. I was told I may be called back for a second interview for the following day. Around 6:30 pm I got the call and I was scheduled to interview in the morning with the nurses working in the unit in a building right across SM hospital.
Tuesday 05/13 I interview with 5 nurses from the unit. All of the nurses I interviewed were awesome.
YES! DO PREPARE! Review basic interview questions and practice them prior to both interviews. Ex: Why nursing? Why this unit? Also be prepared for scenario questions (I wasn’t). These where my very first interviews ever, I never even did mock interviews, I just read allnurses and other online resources to get an idea of how to prepare. I felt under prepared but I felt I was myself 100%.
Wednesday 05/14 I checked my email after my Pinning Ceremony back I have received an email stating that I was to complete the online references process. I had 24hrs to submit 5 references to this online system. I got in contact with all my references and most of them answered the online questionnaire really fast.
I will keep you posted of how this all process concludes for me. Through allnurses I have learned that after the references email there is a waiting period of 2 to 3 weeks and then you either get a call from HR to offer you the position (cross fingers and light candles) or an email thanking you for your time and saying you were not selected.
Remember every unit interview process is different and it is a little different if you are out of town too.... good luck to all of us!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do that! I am also from out of town, Oakland, Ca. I hope everything goes well! Good luck to you!!!

thinwildmercury · May 18, 2014

Best of luck to you CamiDudu!! Thanks for sharing

Jeanster025 · May 19, 2014

Anyone interviewing or has interviewd for Transplant/Surgical ICU?

MsRNAqueelah · May 19, 2014

Anyone interviewing or has interviewd for Transplant/Surgical ICU?

Hey there! I will be on Wednesday! how about you?

Jeanster025 · May 19, 2014

Hey there! I will be on Wednesday! how about you?

I'm interviewing this Wednesday, as well. How are you prepping for it? I'm so nervous! I haven't had an interview since 2006! :nailbiting:

MsRNAqueelah · May 19, 2014

I'm interviewing this Wednesday, as well. How are you prepping for it? I'm so nervous! I haven't had an interview since 2006!

I'm nervous too! But also excited! I just had a recent interview last month and hadn't had an interview since 2006 either! I'm just trying to relax. I'm just going over possible questions that can be asked. Other than that just pumping myself up!

Jeanster025 · May 19, 2014

I'm nervous too! But also excited! I just had a recent interview last month and hadn't had an interview since 2006 either! I'm just trying to relax. I'm just going over possible questions that can be asked. Other than that just pumping myself up!

I'm doing the same. Good luck to the both of us! :up:

MsRNAqueelah · May 19, 2014

I'm doing the same. Good luck to the both of us!

Yes! Yes! Good vibes! :yes:

Grape_seed, MSN, NP · May 20, 2014

I interviewed for CTICU and just received the email to provide 5 references. :) Good luck everyone!

tofu-tofu · May 20, 2014

NTICU reference emails have been sent as well. :)

jungdt · May 20, 2014

when was your interview? also, did you get a second interview?

Grape_seed, MSN, NP · May 21, 2014

Correction. I only had to provide 4 references. I guess it's different for each unit.

@jungdt I interviewed on May 13 and only had 1 interview.