Nursing at UPMC

At UPMC, our more than 18,000 nurses and nursing support staff devote their lives to the health and well-being of our patients. Our nurses are healers, advocates, teachers, and innovators.

UPMC has 50 specialty nursing roles across nearly 20 clinical specialties. This gives our nurses endless ways to develop professionally and grow throughout their entire careers.

Why Be a Nurse at UPMC?

• Eight UPMC hospitals have received Magnet® status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
• At UPMC, BSN-prepared nurses qualify for a higher rate of pay — and the difference is one of the largest in the greater Pittsburgh area.
• U.S. News & World Report named UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside to its Honor Roll. It's also ranked the #1 hospital in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh.
• UPMC is building three new specialty hospitals focused on heart, transplant, cancer, and vision care. Current specialty hospitals include UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital.
• UPMC commits to training the next generation of nurses through our four, hospital-based nursing schools. Learn more about the UPMC Schools of Nursing.

Endless Ways to Build Your Nursing Career

UPMC offers chances to grow and develop in countless directions. We offer a robust career ladder for all nurses and a residency program for new nurses.

As a UPMC nurse, you can build your career by tailoring your work choices and experiences to meet your personal goals.

Choose to work in:

• Local, urban, regional, and international settings.
• Long-term care and rehab settings.
• Outpatient settings at teaching hospitals.
• And more.

See all UPMC locations.

A Message from Holly Lorenz, RN, MSN
UPMC Chief Nurse Executive

“It’s truly an amazing time to be a nurse at UPMC. We're an organization in which nurses take a leading role in patient care, innovation, and technological advancements across the enterprise. We're proud of the professional careers that our nurses develop. Their practice spans all our campuses and locations — from home health care and assisted-living facilities to our nationally ranked urban hospitals.”

See the 2018-2019 Nursing Annual Report.

Nursing Achievements 

True to lifelong learning, our nurses prove their commitment to excellence in patient care by earning degrees and certifications. Others add to the nursing profession through evidence-based practice, research studies, and grants.

We share knowledge across the region, nation, and world through podium and poster presentations.

UPMC nurses also show leadership as they hold offices in professional organizations. Some receive honors and awards.

2019 UPNC Nurses Week Conference Awards

Each winner had a short one minute interview with Holly Lorenz, MSN, RN, chief nurse executive, UPMC. Click on their names to watch their videos:

• Rising Star in Clinical Practice: Kyla Colcombe, BSN, professional staff nurse, UPMC Presbyterian
• Champion of Nursing: Velma Dorsey, environmental services associate, UPMC Presbyterian
• Leading With Wisdom: Lauren Leigh Gorman, MSN, RN, unit director, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
• Legacy of Nursing: Joanne Sorensen, DNP, RN, FACHE, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services, UPMC Northwest
• Spirit of Inclusion: Susan Bender, RN, senior professional staff nurse I, UPMC Presbyterian
• Outstanding Preceptor: Jennifer Claire Dobrzynski, BSN, RN, CPAN, senior professional staff nurse, UPMC Hamot
• Outstanding Patient Advocate: Ruth Harris, BSN, RN, ONC, orthopaedic navigator coordinator, UPMC St. Margaret