Graduate Nurse Rotational Program: Shadyside Surgical Track (Fall 2026 & Spring 2027 Graduates)

Join UPMC Shadyside's Surgical Graduate Nurse Rotational Program!

Are you graduating in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 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's Surgical Division to gain valuable and varied experience while working alongside an experienced nurse to help mentor and guide you in your learning.

About UPMC Shadyside:

UPMC Shadyside's Surgical Service Line consists of several departments all with a unique surgically based focus. Each unit is staffed by nurses who are specialists in their respective fields and provide compassionate care and clinical excellence.

• 3 Main-Thoracic Surgery: 3 Main is a 38-bed surgical unit caring for post-op thoracic patients. 3 Main cares for high-acuity patients recovering from various thoracic surgeries such as minimally invasive esophagectomy, thoracotomy, lobe resections, and wedge resections. 3 Main also care for interventional cardiac patients from the cath lab and electrophysiology lab, as well as post op vascular surgery and surgical oncology patients. 3 Main is a teaching unit with a dynamic learning environment, where nurses will gain experience with chest tubes, nasogastric tubes, pca/nerveblocks, cardiac monitors, and arrythmia IV drips. 3 Main is fast-paced and team-oriented and serves as Shadyside's surgical stepdown unit.
• 4 Main-Surgical Oncology: 4 Main encompasses patients who are recovering from post-surgical procedures for the treatment of life-altering cancers. These surgical procedures include cytoreductive (debulking) surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment, Whipple procedures, colon resections, liver resections, and other abdominal/rectal procedures. Nurses on 4 Main are exposed to many different types of tubes and drain that our patients experience in their post-surgical phase. These drains include (but are not limited to) wound vacs, ileostomies, colostomies, feeding tubes, Jackson Pratt (JP) drains, pigtail catheters, and chest tubes. Patients on this unit require staff members that are highly motivated, encouraging, and driven to provide patients with the best possible experiences and outcomes.
• 3 West-Orthopedics Surgery: 3 West is an Orthopedic unit that specializes in total joint replacement, orthopedic oncology surgical services, spine surgery, sports injuries, and a wide range of medical management. New and experienced nurses will experience an exciting range of services including wound care, surgical recovery, patient education, and the opportunity to see motivated patients work to get back on their feet through physical therapy and other nursing modalities.
• 7 West-Neuro Surgical/Oncology: 7 West is a 24-bed newly renovated Neuro-Oncology/Neuro-Surgery unit that cares for postoperative craniotomies and spinal surgeries related to tumor debulking, stroke patients, and acute/chronic neurological conditions. We also see a diverse population of oncology patients and some medical patients. We are a high-performing unit that focuses on patient-centered care. Among patient care, nurses will have the opportunity to participate in hospital-based councils and committees, as well as continued unit development/education and quality projects. This is a team-oriented unit with a supportive staff, leaders, and Neurosurgeons.
• 6/7 Pavilion Med/Surg Urology: 6/7 Pav is a Medical-Surgical unit that provides care for surgical urology patients, surgical oncology patients, ENT patients, and various medical patients. Our patient population's variety provides a broad knowledge base of medical and surgical patients. Most of our urological patients are diagnosed with renal, bladder, and/or prostate disease. We receive patients directly from the recovery room, the emergency room, and direct admissions. 6/7 Pavilion is a teaching unit and our nurses work closely with interns, residents, and fellows.

What is the Graduate Nurse Rotational Program (GNRP)?

The GNRP will begin in March 2027 for Fall graduates and July 2027 for Spring graduates. Participants will have the opportunity to rotate through various surgical units (3 Main, 4 Main, 3 West, 7 West, 6/7 Pavilion) for 10 months.

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 for roles on select units
• UPMC's Monthly Loan Repayment program, for 2026 & 2027 nursing graduates, offering $20,000 in loan repayment paid over three years
• Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually, plus seven paid holidays each year
• Dedicated career ladders 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 other educational 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 Shadyside.

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 rotating 12-hour schedules to ensure 24/7 coverage on the floor.

Graduate Nurses 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 SIX months of hire.

• Diploma, associate, bachelor's, and direct-entry master's degree levels - all welcome!
• 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:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • CPR required based on AHA standards that include both didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• Registered Nurse (RN) or TPP (Temporary Practice Permit)
  • Current licensure either in the state where the facility