I currently am a new graduate myself and have applied to a handful of new grad programs the past 2-3 months before graduation. Luckily enough I have been interviewed by 2 hospitals and was recently chosen for SMU new grad residency for the 2010 cohort. But I am waiting for UCSF's interview process to begin next month but I would love input from anyone who has completed SMU or UCSF's New Graduate programs. I interned at UCSF and Kaiser and loved both experiences. Samuel Merriot is contracted with Kaiser Permanente so I am curious if anyone was offered positions before they finished the program? I heard of a few people that were offered new grad positions during the SMU program.
SFSU09 I got into the residency program and it starts in a couple of months. You have completed the program, could you tell me more about your experience? Has it made you more marketable? Or get interviewed for a position at SFGH? I know they had some new grad programs (and those who got positions were either internal candidates or had connections).
Anyway, I am excited and grateful to be trained as an RN...even if it is unpaid. while it is getting better, it is still a tough economy. Hopefully we have seen the worst of it and we will get jobs soon :)
Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.
I did a T2P thru CSUEB and was placed at an East Bay Hospital. It was an excellent experience at a wonderful facility. I worked with a seasoned nurse in a very busy post-op unit where I refined many skills--things that I had only done a couple times in my preceptorship I can do blindfolded now.
I started where I left off at preceptorship and added exponentially more to my skill set. And it wasn't just about refining the skills--talking to MD's, discharge paperwork/meds/instructions, pre-op paperwork, getting new admits, inputing TORV orders, etc. More is expected of you post licensure, even in a T2P program.
It was a valuable experienced and it gave me much more confidence in myself as a nurse, and I think this showed thru in interviews. I was lucky in that I had amazing preceptors who taught much; hope to repay their deed in kind one day.
I did well and was recognized by the staff for my contribution; however, it was clear to me I would not be hired as census was low and nurses were taking VTO. While I was told my chances would be high at the next new grad program. the onsite faculty shared with me that the new grad programs were indefinitely on hold. However, I was on their minds even after I left as I was called in to volunteer at a couple health fairs.
I did get very good letters of recommendation from my nurse and the onsite faculty. It was hard working for free all summer while trying to arrange childcare; however, the experience paid off and I was hired by another local hospital. Both my senior preceptor and T2P preceptors gave me much mentoring and interview coaching. Just having that other nurse in your corner is a tremendous help when you are out there facing multiple panel interviews. And between my two preceptors, I had a some major connections even if their own hospitals or units were not hiring.
The T2P along with some additional training I obtained (classes at UCSF, Spanish Language Class and a preparation for a Mission Trip) did much to get me called into interviews where I wasn't getting called in before.
It's tough out there in the Bay Area. I do know that my cohorts that were more willing to move out of the area or even out of state had better luck. My patience and hard work paid off in the end--a full year after graduating tho. Good luck on your journey.
BayArea2010
22 Posts
Mike do you work for UCSF Medical Center?
Thanks