UW Madison 2014 Nurse Residency Program

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Hello! I'm applying for the UW Madison Nurse Residency Program for the summer of 2014. I'll be a May 2014 graduate with a BSN. Is anyone else applying for this Nurse Residency program or have applied/went through the program in the past?

I applied in October, had my phone interview before Thanksgiving, and got the e-mail for references the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. They tend to send the e-mail out on a Tuesday or Wednesday. From what I hear, mid-december they send out an e-mail extending in person interviews. I currently go to school at UW-Madison and work as an SNA at the children's hospital here and am really hoping for a peds position. Bummed they aren't taking NICU residents though (the NICU opens in May!!) However, what I've heard in the past is that they interview quite a few people for a very limited number of positions. Even working here really doesn't help your chances much :/ But I do know a lot of nurse residents from all over the country, if that eases any out of state applicants' stress!

All the stressful stuff aside - It's a fantastic place to work I really love it here :) Best of luck to everyone!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I applied in October, had my phone interview before Thanksgiving, and got the e-mail for references the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. They tend to send the e-mail out on a Tuesday or Wednesday. From what I hear, mid-december they send out an e-mail extending in person interviews. I currently go to school at UW-Madison and work as an SNA at the children's hospital here and am really hoping for a peds position. Bummed they aren't taking NICU residents though (the NICU opens in May!!) However, what I've heard in the past is that they interview quite a few people for a very limited number of positions. Even working here really doesn't help your chances much :/ But I do know a lot of nurse residents from all over the country, if that eases any out of state applicants' stress!

All the stressful stuff aside - It's a fantastic place to work I really love it here :) Best of luck to everyone!

Thanks!!!

I've never been in hiring, but it doesn't seem feasible that they would only hire one nurse for each unit. They offer 32 units. I imagine they'll hire one, maybe 2 on each one. It also depends on budget, so that has an impact as well. I imagine that it is competitive, but qualified strong candidates need not worry.

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Specializes in NICU.

Do any of you have volunteer or study abroad experience?

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Applied last Monday, got a call Tuesday morning, had my interview today and it went really well. I should be getting my reference forms Wednesday.

I indicated a lot of different interests on the supplemental application but my interviewer seemed to focus on the Neuro ICU. I guess probably since I work in one currently as a CNA.

I have a year's worth of experience with leadership positions in the hospital and I have also been part of some ICU-related research projects.

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Specializes in NICU.

During the phone interview did they talk about specific unit options or availability?

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During the phone interview did they talk about specific unit options or availability?

For me they really focused on the pediatric PACU, but only because I have experience there and they don't see that a lot. She did let me pick two other areas of focus that I would pick secondary to the peds PACU, but said that if I were to be chosen to move further through interviews, it would likely only be with the pediatric PACU. I think they're big on where you have past experiences, which makes complete sense.

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The amount they hire varies by unit. My unit generally takes 3-4 nurse residents, it depends on budget and how many staffing needs they have.

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Specializes in NICU.
The amount they hire varies by unit. My unit generally takes 3-4 nurse residents it depends on budget and how many staffing needs they have.[/quote']

Which pediatric unit are you on? Outside of school and spending the summer in Tanzania delivering babies and working with pediatrics, I have no other work experience. That said I will be doing a senior practicum in NICU. It will be interesting to see what they focus on in my interview.

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Specializes in NICU.

Let me clarify that last statement. This is my second career so I definitely have work experience just not in healthcare.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Let me clarify that last statement. This is my second career so I definitely have work experience just not in healthcare.

I do as well. In high school I was a shift manger for a fast food restaurant, and I've spent the last three years working in IT.

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Specializes in NICU.

I just finished my phone interview! They asked for references. Does anyone know if they ask for everyone's reference?!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I just finished my phone interview! They asked for references. Does anyone know if they ask for everyone's reference?!

No idea, but according to the literature, they collect references when you're a finalist for the position. They didn't give all of the hundreds of people who applied a phone interview, so I imagine by the same respect, they did not request references from everyone who had a phone interview. Similarly, I don't think that everyone who gets asked for references will be interviewed in person.

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