Graduate Nurse Rotational Program: UPMC Altoona – Med/Surg/Stepdown Track (Fall/Winter 2026 Gra[...]

UPMC; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus

Loan Repayment

Paid Time Off

Career ladders

Tuition reimbursement

RN-BSN/MSN discounts

Job summary

UPMC Altoona is launching a Graduate Nurse Rotational Program (GNRP) for new nurses to begin their careers as full-time Staff Nurses. The rotation spans several hospital units with mentorship from experienced nurses, starting March 2027.

Participants first complete orientation and then rotate through Medical/Surgical, Neuro, Surgical Trauma/Oncology, and more, with guidance from preceptors. GNRP emphasizes skill development, critical thinking, and independent judgment while building patient-care

Qualifications

• Current Pennsylvania RN licensure required prior to program start date.
• CPR and BLS certifications required.
• Act 34 background clearance required.
• Eligible for state board licensure after program completion.

Responsibilities

• Participate in 12-week orientation across units.
• Rotate through Medical/Surgical, Neuro, Trauma/Oncology, and other units.
• Provide high-quality patient care under mentorship.
• Collaborate with physicians and care teams to achieve outcomes.

Skills

Critical thinking

Communication

Independent judgment

Empathy in care

Education

Nursing degree levels allowed

Tools

CPR Certification

BLS Certification

Act 34 Clearance

Job description

Are you graduating in Fall/Winter 2026 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 Altoona:

UPMC Altoona is a 380-bed level II trauma center that functions as the regional referral center and tertiary hub of UPMC and provides excellent medical care to Altoona, PA and surrounding areas.

What is the Graduate Nurse Rotational Program (GNRP)?

UPMC Altoona is pleased to announce we are NOW HIRING Graduate Nurses as full-time Staff Nurses to support various hospital units as part of a special Rotational Program. The GNRP will begin in March 2027. Previous participants have had the opportunity to participate in the med/surg/stepdown track for 6 months. GNs will spend the first 12 weeks of orientation on various units and the following 12 weeks rotating between the units, based on availability and preference (participating units: Medical Progressive, Surgical Progressive, Neuro Progressive, Surgical Trauma/Oncology, and Med/Surg Trauma).

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 Staff Nurse? The 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 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 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
• UPMC Altoona’s Monthly Loan Repayment program, offering $15,000 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 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?

• At the end of the rotations, you will be matched to a participating unit through a mutual matching process, with consideration to union seniority.
• Applicants will be placed in the appropriate job title and salary based on individual experience, education, and union consideration.

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.

• 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:

• Current Pennsylvania licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse required prior to program start date
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Act 34 Criminal Clearance
• Basic Life Support