UPMC Nursing

UPMC Shadyside is a tertiary care hospital offering primary medical care as well as physician and nurse education. Among the nursing specialties available are oncology, cardiology, urology, and orthopaedics. Select surgical specialties such as cardiothoracic, surgical oncology, and neurosurgery also are available.

Nursing highlights

The nurses at UPMC Shadyside work within a large teaching organization that has the feel of a community setting, combined with the energy and excitement of a collaborative practice environment.

Our nurses are supported in their professional development and in their nursing practice. Nurses have the opportunity to become members of one of three councils for staff. UPMC Shadyside nurses are involved in decision making, particularly those decisions related to professional practice and nursing sensitive outcomes.

Among the many development opportunities for new nurses is the new hire development group, which allows new employees to participate in monthly development and networking sessions. Journal clubs are available and are supported by our advanced practice nurses and Evidence-Based Practice Council. UPMC Shadyside offers a professional development day to allow nurses to participate in developmental sessions and network with their peers. Good Grief Sessions provide unit-based support for staff to help prevent compassion fatigue. Tea for the Soul is a traveling tea cart that provides refreshments to staff. The Life Stages program is designed for nurses who are ready for retirement, but not ready to leave the bedside

Before your interview

If you have questions or need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, contact our Human Resources Department at 412-623-2414 or nurse recruiter.
On the day of your interview, you may park in the Visitors garage on South Aiken Avenue. Bring your parking ticket with you so that we may validate your parking.
Proceed to Human Resources located in Preservation Hall. It is located across from the Emergency Room entrance.
Dress is business casual. If you have arranged for a shadow experience after your interview, please wear a uniform. Our nurses wear white on the medical-surgical units, and ceil blue scrubs in the intensive care units.
Your interview will begin by meeting with the nurse recruiter who will complete an interview as well as discuss benefits with you. You will then meet with one or more unit directors, tour the unit, and discuss unit specific information such as the patient population and scheduling practices. Plan on spending one to three hours based on the number of units with which you will interview. Afterward, you do not need to return to Human Resources, but we welcome calls or e-mails if you have additional questions or wish to schedule a shadow day.
We encourage a shadowing experience for those who may find it helpful in their decision making process. You may schedule it for the day of your interview, or at a later time.

After accepting an offer

Your first day will be Human Resources new hire orientation. This will be held at the Herberman Conference Center on the UPMC Shadyside Campus starting in December 2008. Check with your recruiter for the exact location prior to your first day. Your recruiter will provide information including directions, hours, and parking for this day. New hire orientation consists of information about benefits, safety, infection control practices, and compliance procedures. Dress is business casual.
The second day will begin with a welcome day designed to help make you feel comfortable in your new workplace. Emphasis is placed on becoming familiar with your hospital and understanding our mission of improving the patient experience. Employee parking, MyHealth services, shuttle service, campus security, and our Magnet journey will be among the items discussed.
You will continue by attending nursing orientation as scheduled by your recruiter with classes based upon the unit in which you will be working.
During your new hire period, you will be given ample time to transition to your new unit and position. Through classes, a preceptorship, meetings with a new hire support coordinator, and your unit manager, a team approach will help you to identify strengths and opportunities for growth, while developing the critical thinking skills essential for excellent patient care.
Monthly new hire support meetings will be available to you. Among the many benefits of these meetings, you will meet with other new hires to share your experiences and to support each other as you grow in your profession.