Published Jun 13, 2010
Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN
541 Posts
People that I've talked to that have or are working for them tell me the computer application process does work. I've been told it's not necessary to have a cover letter with the initial application b/c it's not read anyway.
WPAHS doesn't seem to have this issue. The times I was able to submit an online application w/o cover letter I did get a call it just wasn't the right fit, and now there's rumors they're standing on shaky ground and lay offs are happening there's not much happening on their website anyway.
UPMC seems to have a good many that popped up. Are they real? I hesitate submitting b/c I have to be really interested in the position for me to apply, I guess I'm still goofy to think they're calling people who apply, so I want to be sure!
When you read the boards for other areas of the country it seems no one is hiring. I've heard it's getting better in the Pittsburgh area and we don't have those issues, but does the online thing work or is it still who you know?
Ok I just got off the phone with yet another recruiter, doing the follow up call that's recommended (it's only been since the beginning of the week that I submitted) because I was told from someone that used to work for them that they can tell you the status of your app (if you're being considered etc...) Well I got zip in info from her. She basically told me that she forwards the apps to the unit managers and waits for their decision.
Okay, so I did find out the manager of the one unit I'm especially interested in,(and I emailed them) but I'm willing to go pretty much anywhere right now just to get in. I got that info from the nurse recruiter who encouraged me to directly email the nurse mgr unlike some recruiters that tell you they can't accept them.
I'd love to just eliminate the nurse recruiter if I could, it doesn't seem for the Pgh area that's feasible. I'd love to just pop by the units to drop off resumes, again that doesn't seem likely as I have no contacts at the 2 main hospitals that I'm focused on.
Since cover letters supposedly help, if I'm applying to different units how am I supposed to find out who all the different unit managers are? If I keep calling the recruiter for that info plus an email address, I think she's going to get irritated. And as much as I thought the email addy's are last, first initial etc... it seems some add a number or an extra initial!
Alright, this is turning into a vent. I'm just frustrated b/c I know I could do a great job if given the chance. I work super hard and I love to learn, I really hope that taking LTC when I couldn't get anything else did not destroy my chances of getting in. It's just hard knowing new grads are getting placed and they could potentially be a bigger risk, so I don't get it.
Thanks for any info if anyone is out there in Pittsburgh cyberland!
CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN
3,734 Posts
Call the unit and ask who the manager is?
What about any Docs in your LTC? Do any of them work at the hosptials you would consider? I'm thinking that I might try that route if needed. I've worked with one or two of the docs for years and along the way they've mentioned they would be a good reference. (I'm not sure that would be a good thing though??)
strider1500
58 Posts
I tried for years and years to get into UPMC, the only way I got in was when I started nursing school, the recruiters came and told all of us to apply online.
I feel without the connection through the school I never would have heard from them.
pennswoodman
29 Posts
Getting into UPMC is tough, especially now with the announced closing of West Penn Hospital...but not impossible. HR has said that there has been a significant uptick in apps submitted. Like an earlier poster said, try to find the unit director and try to get in that way. I do know that the outlying hospitals (Passavant, St. Margaret's, McKeesport) are easier to get into as the urban hospitals are packed. Rumor floating through the system, though, is that Mercy is doing emergency hiring of up to 200 RNs ...just thought I'd pass that along to all of you out there.
Well it's funny b/c less than a week after I posted my original question, I got the call from one of their recruiters and less than 3 weeks from then, I found out I got the job!
Interesting on Mercy. Wonder why the need for so many. I know many grads that said the area was even worse this year than lasts to get a job.
I'm very excited to be starting on my new unit. I'm hoping to be able to stay put for a good while. So far it seems like a really welcoming, supportive place to work.
rebecca6890
52 Posts
does anyone know how upmc hiring process is now?
futuremomnurse
5 Posts
I just spoke to a Butler Memorial Hospital nursing recruiter yesterday, Toby, and she was extremely helpful. She told me how to get part time work to help on my resume while going thru school. She was very positive and extremely compassionate. But again, it's not the mega UPMC system.
tokidoki7, ASN, RN
417 Posts
I don't know exactly what UPMCs hiring process is like, but I know that it's slow. I recently got in touch with a nursing recruiter who was able to look up my name and tell me about my application status. If you go on google, you can find the numbers of nursing recruiters associated with each UPMC hospital and ask about your application.
KittyLovinRN
125 Posts
The trouble with UPMC hiring practices is that they do orientation just once a month so depending on when they see your resume, interview, and decide to hire you, it could be the week of the current orientation and you would have to wait a month until then next one. As per the usual, just follow up until you're blue in the face with the managers of the floors you've applied on via HR. Once you're in, life really is pretty good here. The health insurance benefits really can't be beat when you think about the fantastic doctors that work here.
Good luck!