Launching Your Nursing Career: The UCLA Health New Grad RN Program

For new graduates and young professionals, UCLA Health offers an exceptional environment to cultivate a fulfilling career. With a strong emphasis on growth, development, and continuous learning, UCLA Health provides a wide array of opportunities to establish a solid foundation for your professional journey. The New Grad RN Program stands out as a pivotal starting point, offering comprehensive support and resources to ensure a successful transition into the nursing profession.

Overview of Opportunities at UCLA Health

UCLA Health is dedicated to fostering the careers of new graduates and young professionals by providing diverse avenues for growth and development. These opportunities are designed to leverage your passion for making a difference in people’s lives, transforming it into a rewarding and impactful career.

Nursing New Graduate Programs: These programs are meticulously crafted to provide new nursing graduates with a strong start, offering the necessary support and resources to navigate the initial challenges of professional practice.
Allied Health Residencies: These residencies offer a unique opportunity to work alongside skilled and experienced professionals, enhancing your knowledge and refining your skills in a supportive environment.
Internships & Fellowships: These programs allow you to apply your classroom education in a real-world setting, gaining invaluable, career-defining experience that complements your academic knowledge.

The Nursing New Graduate Residency Program: A Deep Dive

Choosing where to begin your nursing career is a critical decision that significantly impacts your professional trajectory. The New Graduate Nurse Residency Program at UCLA Health is designed to provide a robust and supportive environment for new graduates, setting the stage for long-term success.

Program Structure and Key Components

The Nurse Residency Program at UCLA Health is a comprehensive, year-long initiative tailored for new graduates from registered nursing programs. To be eligible for the 2026 program, applicants must have graduated between June 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025. The program is structured to provide a seamless transition into professional practice, offering several key components and resources:

Orientation: A comprehensive orientation to UCLA hospital systems, the nursing department, standards of care, and clinical skills lab ensures that new graduates are well-versed in the policies and procedures of UCLA Health.
Monthly Education Sessions: These sessions address crucial topics such as leadership, patient outcomes, and professionalism, fostering the development of well-rounded nursing professionals.
Unit-Based Support: Unit-based orientation and educational programs, along with dedicated preceptors and mentors, provide personalized guidance and support within the specific clinical setting.
Clinical Expertise: Access to unit and hospital-based clinical nurse specialists and clinical educators ensures that residents have access to expert knowledge and support when needed.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Graduation Date: Applicants must have graduated from a registered nursing program between June 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
Experience: Before the program starts in March 2026, applicants must have less than 6 months of RN experience in an inpatient setting or no experience as a licensed RN. The program is designed for new graduate nurses with minimal to no prior experience.
RN License: While you do not need to have your RN license at the time of application, you must possess a current, valid California RN license prior to your start date to be eligible for employment.
Basic Life Support (BLS): A BLS certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association must be provided before the program's start date.

Program Locations and Specialties

Opportunities for New Graduate Nurses are available at several UCLA Health locations, including:

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
UCLA West Valley Medical Center
Operative Room Services

Within these locations, opportunities may be available in a variety of specialties, such as:

Adult ICU
Pediatric ICU
Neonatal ICU
Cardiothoracic ICU
Liver/Transplant Surgical ICU
Med Surg/Telemetry
Hematology/Oncology
Perinatal
Emergency Department
Operative Room Services

When applying, candidates are typically asked to select two unit specialties of their preference, allowing UCLA Health to match residents with their areas of interest and expertise.

Commitment and Expectations

New graduate nurse residents who are accepted into the program are expected to make specific commitments:

Full-Time Employment: Commit to full-time employment for the duration of the one-year program. Continued employment for a second year is strongly preferred, ensuring stability and continued growth.
Program Participation: Participate in one resident session per month and complete an evidence-based practice project, presenting it at the New Graduate Nurse Residency Graduation. This fosters critical thinking and evidence-based practice skills.
Professional Standards: Fulfill all professional requirements expected of a first-year member of the professional nursing staff on an assigned clinical service. This ensures that residents are held to high standards of patient care and professionalism.
Hospital Guidelines: Adhere to all hospital guidelines as a member of the professional nursing staff, promoting a safe and compliant work environment.
Mentorship: Develop and utilize mentor relationships to support professional development, gaining valuable insights and guidance from experienced nurses.
Training: Actively participate in general and specialized training experiences, enhancing your skills and knowledge in various areas of nursing practice.
Program Evaluation: Complete program evaluations to provide feedback for improvement and outcome data collection, contributing to the ongoing refinement of the program.

Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Alignment

The UCLA Health New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is aligned with the nation's top residency curriculum, Vizient/AACN, ensuring that residents receive training and education in critical thinking to lead at UCLA. This alignment offers numerous benefits:

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Competence and Confidence: Enhanced competence and confidence in decision-making, empowering residents to make informed choices in patient care.
Learning Network: Access to a comprehensive learning network, connecting residents with peers and experts in the field.
Satisfaction and Commitment: Increased job satisfaction and professional commitment, fostering a sense of belonging and dedication to the nursing profession.
Evidence-Based Practices: Consistent use of evidence-based practices, ensuring that residents are delivering the most effective and up-to-date care.
Leadership and Critical Thinking: Development of leadership and critical thinking skills, preparing residents to take on leadership roles in the future.
Relationship Building: Opportunities for relationship building, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
Efficiency and Safety: Improved efficiency and safety on the floor, enhancing patient outcomes and reducing errors.
Quality of Care: Enhanced quality of care, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment.

Navigating the Application Process

UCLA Health is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process. It is important to be aware of fraudulent communications and adhere to the official application procedures.

Important Notices Regarding Recruitment

UCLA Health has issued important notices to protect applicants from fraudulent schemes:

No Financial Requests: Neither UCLA Health nor any organization recruiting on its behalf will ever ask for money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process.
Formal Recruitment Process: All individuals receiving an employment offer from UCLA Health will be required to go through a formal recruitment process, which always involves a virtual or in-person meeting with a UCLA Health employee or representative.
Protect Personal Information: Do not disclose your personal or financial details to anyone you do not know.
Timely Submissions: Late submissions are not accepted. All documents must be submitted correctly at the time of application.
Assessment Completion: The application process takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, including an assessment. Your application will not be considered until the assessment is completed.

Application Timeline and Interviews

Interviews for the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program are typically held throughout November, giving applicants ample time to prepare and showcase their qualifications.

Support and Guidance: Keys to Success

Beginning your nursing career can be both exciting and challenging. The New Graduate Nurse Residency Program at UCLA Health provides the support and guidance needed to navigate this transition successfully.

Mastering Challenges and Achieving Ambitions

The program is designed to help you master the challenges of advances in treatment, healthcare delivery systems, new technologies, and patient acuity. By working alongside accomplished professionals, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your career.

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Program Areas and Specialization

New graduate nurse residents are assigned to areas based on their background, interests, and the needs and availability within UCLA Health. This ensures that residents are placed in environments where they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to patient care.

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