Graduate Nurse Rotational Program: UPMC Mercy – Surgical Track (Spring 2026 Graduates)

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 38,925 - 55,439; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus up to $10,000

Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 annually

Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off

Loan Repayment Program

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is launching a Graduate Nurse Rotational Program for Spring 2026 graduates in Pittsburgh. This full-time position allows new nurses to rotate through various hospital units, gaining essential experience and mentorship from seasoned nurses. The program starts in August 2026 and includes substantial support such as tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, and a sign-on bonus. Candidates must have their nursing licensure before starting and demonstrate strong clinical and critical thinking skills.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible for State Board Licensure.
• Critical thinking skills necessary for nursing care.
• Ability to work in a complex environment with changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly competent patient care and treatment.
• Establish relationships with patients, families, and care providers.
• Participate in a rotational program across various units.

Skills

Critical thinking

Clinical judgment

Communication

Empathy

Education

BSN Preferred

Registered Professional Nurse licensure

Job description

Are you graduating in Spring 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 Mercy

UPMC Mercy is Western Pennsylvania’s only hospital with a combined Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center and Comprehensive Burn Center under one roof. UPMC Mercy is also the home of our Rehabilitation Institute, which is one of the leading rehabilitation programs in the United States as well as a dedicated Comprehensive Stroke Center accredited by the Joint and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

What is the Graduate Nurse Rotational Program (GNRP)?

UPMC Mercy is pleased to announce we are NOW HIRING Graduate Nurses as full‑time Professional Staff Nurses to support various hospital units as part of a special Rotational Program. The GNRP will begin in August 2026 and focuses on Spring 2026 graduates. Previous participants have had the opportunity to rotate through various units, primarily 8E Surgical Acute Care, 9E Cardiology/Thoracic Surgical Acute Care and one of our Rehab units. This is a 10 month program, but early‑exit opportunities may be available if the employee is ready for permanent placement within one of the Rotational Program units.

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 of up to $10,000* for Graduate Nurses (*Amount and eligibility based on type of nursing role and candidate experience)
• UPMC’s Monthly Loan Repayment program, for 2025 and 2026 nursing graduates, offering $20,000* in loan repayment paid over three years (*Eligible flex full‑time RN roles to receive prorated amount)
• 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 Mercy.

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 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.

The pay range for this position is posted at the Professional Staff Nurse, BSN level. For those candidates without a BSN, pay rates start at $34.25/hour.

• BSN Preferred
• Completion of UPMC Student Nurse Internship Program or student clinical transitions course at UPMC preferred
• The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
• They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age‑specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non‑physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
• Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
• Critical thinking, analytical and problem‑solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care.
• Good clinical judgment.
• Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process.

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
• Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Clearance
• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance
• Basic Life Support
• Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out‑of‑state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.