Graduate Nurse Rotational Program: UPMC Hamot

Are you graduating in Fall/Winter 2024 or Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 from nursing school and looking to launch your nursing career? Our Graduate Nurse Rotational Program may be the perfect fit You will rotate through various units within the hospital to gain valuable and varied experience while working alongside an experienced nurse to help mentor and guide you in your learning. 

About UPMC Hamot  

UPMC Hamot, an ANCC Magnet-recognized hospital since 2016, is the region's only trauma center and certified comprehensive stroke center. We are the first hospital in the nation to use new, groundbreaking robotic technology for earlier detection of lung cancer. We are also the first and only hospital in the region to offer kidney transplants and the first hospital in Erie to perform the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure. 

At UPMC Hamot we want the next step in your nursing career to be the right one. We believe that as a nurse, the care you provide can have a positive effect on not only the quality of life of your patients and their families but can be a driving force in your career development. Join us at UPMC Hamot as we provide Life-Changing Medicine to our community.   

What is the Graduate Nurse Rotational Program (GNRP)? 

UPMC Hamot is pleased to announce we are NOW HIRING Graduate Nurses as full-time Professional Staff Nurses to support various hospital units as part of a special Rotational Program. The GNRP will begin in July 2024. Previous participants have had the opportunity to rotate through various units (listed below) for 6-8 weeks. 

• 3 South - Observation and Short Stay Acute Care Unit
• 4 South - Trauma and Orthopedic Acute Care Unit
• 4 IU (MRIU) - Medical Respiratory Intermediate Unit
• 5 South - Cardiac Acute Care Unit
• 6 South - Cardiovascular and Surgical Specialty Acute Care Unit
• 7 South - Medical/Oncology Acute Care Unit
• 8 South - Neurology and Neurosurgical Acute Care Unit
• 8 East - Colorectal and Urology Acute Care Unit

Why Join the Graduate Nurse Rotational Program? 

• Opportunity to explore and find your right ‘home’ in nursing at UPMC 

• Fantastic opportunity to learn from many talented nurses and receive a broad education in nursing 

• Having a resource pool nurse as a mentor 

• Having preceptors for each rotation 

What Can You Expect as a GNRP Professional Staff Nurse? 

The Professional Staff Nurse provides highly competent patient care and treatment while demonstrating empathy and a passion for learning. A role that requires independent judgment, fluent communication, and candid partnership, the Professional Staff Nurse establishes relationships with physicians, other care providers, patients, and patients’ families to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. 

As a Professional Staff Nurse and a member of the care delivery team, you will set the standards for the level and quality of nursing care and possess authority and accountability for its provision. At all times, you will exemplify a commitment to the community and to the nursing profession. 

How does UPMC Support our Nurses?
UPMC is committed to investing in nurses like you –financially, personally, and professionally –starting on day one of your career. From tackling student loans to advancing your career later in life, UPMC is the partner you need to succeed and thrive in your nursing career.

Here are a few examples of how we support our nurses:

• Generous Sign-On Bonus of up to $10,000* for Graduate Nurses (*Amount and eligibility based on type of nursing role and candidate experience) 
• Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually, plus seven paid holidays each year
• Dedicated career ladders, including a brand-new nursing career ladder added just this year, allowing you to achieve your highest potential while rewarding you for your experience and advanced education 
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents (plus discounts for UPMC employees including no cost RN-BSN/MSN options)
• Top clinicians, leading researchers, and the most modern equipment and technology in health care today

What Does Placement Look Like Post-GNRP?
Upon completion of the Graduate Nurse Rotational Program, placements are determined by participant preference, Hiring Manager preference, and business need through a collaborative matching process at UPMC Hamot.

Applicants will be placed in the appropriate job title and salary from the My Nursing Career Ladder based on their individual experience and education.

Shift/Hours: Our RNs work a rotating 12-hour schedule to ensure 24/7 coverage on the floor.

GNs must be eligible for State Board Licensure and successfully pass the examination before beginning this role -OR- must have a Temporary Practice Permit and commit to taking the NCLEX examination within 4 months of hire.

• BSN Preferred
• Completion of UPMC Student Nurse Internship Program or student clinical transitions course at UPMC preferred
• The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
• They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients’ requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
• Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
• Critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care.
• Good clinical judgment.
• Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process.

• Completion of UPMC Student Nurse Internship Program or student clinical transitions course at UPMC preferred.

• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to provide care and interact with all ages of patients. 

• Understand the principles of growth and development over the lifespan.

• Assess data on patients’ statuses to identify each patient’s specific care needs. 

• Establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with patients and their families, executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, and other departments.

• Work productively and effectively in an environment with changing priorities that require specialized skills.

• Think critically to analyze and problem-solve to deliver the best patient care. 

• Use sound clinical judgment, think critically, and problem-solve to deliver quality patient care when it matters most.

• Understand, apply, and champion nursing best practices.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• UPMC approved national certification preferred.
• Current Pennsylvania licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• ACLS within 1 year, NIH within 6 months
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Individuals hired into this role must comply with UPMC’s COVID vaccination requirements upon beginning employment with UPMC. Refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Information section at the top of this page to learn more.