Nursing New Graduates

NURSE RESIDENCY PROGRAM

If you have a passion for nursing excellence and want to grow your clinical competencies and confidence, the UCLA Health Nurse Residency will enable you to build on your nursing education while you get the support and guidance you need for success.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Working under the mentorship of world-class professionals, you’ll see first-hand what it takes to deliver the finest patient experience possible. Your assignment will be based on several criteria, including your unique background and the specific, immediate needs within UCLA Health. The Nurse Residency Program is offered twice annually, in winter and summer, with each program lasting approximately one year. Opportunities may be available in a variety of specialty areas.

HOW IT WORKS

The residency provides several key components and resources to put you in the best position for success:

Orientation to UCLA hospital systems, nursing department, standards of care, and clinical skills lab
Monthly education sessions that address leadership, patient outcomes, and professionalism
Unit-based orientation and educational programs
Unit-based preceptors and mentors
Unit and hospital-based clinical nurse specialists and clinical educators

Opportunities are available for New Graduates at the following locations:

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
UCLA West Valley Medical Center
Operative Room Services

WHAT IT TAKES

This program is specifically designed for new graduate nurses, post-degree with little to no RN experience. A BSN or MSN is required.Once you complete the online application, you will need to submit/upload the following documents when applying to this position. We do not accept late submissions. All documents must be submitted correctly at the time you apply. Each document is uploaded individually as a Word or PDF file:

Cover Letter
Resume
Two Letters of Recommendation

OPERATING ROOM TRAINING PROGRAM

Ready to enhance your nursing education and elevate your clinical expertise with one of the nation’s largest and most respected surgical teams? You’ll find the perfect opportunity with our Operating Room Training Program.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In this unique year-long program, you’ll enjoy a combination of Operating Room-specific training courses plus the personal guidance of a dedicated nurse preceptor. Through this program, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to move into an exciting career in surgical nursing.

WHAT IT TAKES

You must have completed your BSN or MSN degree as a new grad applicant. Experienced nurses must have at least two years of experience as an RN.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

ATTEND AN INFO SESSION

Info Sessions for the Winter 2026 cohort will take place in August 2025. Information will be updated here closer to then.

For more information, please read the FAQ below and email HRNGORPrograms@mednet.ucla.edu or call toll-free: 1-866-895-6690 with any specific questions.

APPLY

The application window for the Summer 2025 Nurse Residency & OR Training Programs has now closed.

Please see the recruitment timeline below for the Winter 2026 cohort:

Info Sessions: August 2025
Application Opens: September 2025
Program Begins: March 2026

NEW GRADUATES FAQ

1. What are the qualifications for this program?

A completed BSN or MSN degree by date listed in posting
Before the program starts, you will need to have less than 6 months experience in an inpatient setting or no experience as a licensed RN
Current, valid California RN license by the time of hire
Current, valid BLS certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association

2. Can I apply without a California RN license?
Yes, the only requirement is that you have a California RN license by the time the program begins. We receive many out of state applications and will consider the out of state license endorsement timeline when determining graduation date requirement/start dates.

3. I have an associate degree in nursing and am enrolled/plan on enrolling in a BSN program. Can I still apply?
No, you must have a completed BSN or MSN degree that can be confirmed by the time the program begins.

4. How many new grads does UCLA Health take?
The number of new grads in each cohort varies as it is dependent on the needs of the organization and how many new grads units feel they can support.

5. What Units will be accepting new grads?
Units accept new grads based on needs and the number of new grads the department feels that they can support. It is different every cohort. The list of units accepting will be posted at the end of the application. You will select your top choice.

6. What unit receives the least applicants?
I would like to apply to that unit.
We recommend you select the specialty you have the most experience because that is the area you will best be able to speak on during an interview.

7. To whom should my cover letter be addressed?
To Whom It May Concern. There will be multiple recruiters and hiring managers who read your application and therefore do not recommend addressing it to one person.

8. My letters of recommendation would like to mail you their letters. Where should I send them?
We are not accepting letters of recommendation sent through the mail. They should all be uploaded with all other documents at the time you apply.

9. Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

Professors
Clinical Faculty
Clinical Liaisons
One from a current clinical manager if working in a healthcare environment

All of these are acceptable for letters of recommendation and none are necessarily better than others. You ultimately want to pick the people who will be able to best speak on who you will be as a future nurse.

10. What if I have more than 2 letters of recommendation?
The system will only allow you to submit two letters. Please pick your top two choices to upload. If you would like to submit more, you may bring them upon receiving an invitation for an interview.

11. What documents do I need to submit when I apply?

Cover letter
Resume – be sure to include your clinical rotations. We want to know the hospital you were at, specialty,
number of hours you spent on each rotation and which semester you completed each rotation.
2 Letters or Recommendation

12. What should I include in my cover letter?
This is your opportunity to let us get to know you better and should show us your passion for nursing. It should be one page or less.

13. How long is the program? Is it paid?
This is a paid one-year new graduate nurse residency program.

14. My program allows me to take the NCLEX before I receive my degree. Can I still apply even if I will not receive my diploma until I complete the second portion of my program?
No, at this time you must have graduated with a diploma from an accredited nursing program with either your BSN or MSN.

15. Is the program only for Ronald Reagan or does it include other locations as well?
There will be opportunities available for our hospital locations in both Westwood and Santa Monica.

16. What resume tips do you have?
We recommend selecting a simple resume template that is easy to follow. Avoid resumes that utilize text boxes or colorful fonts. Resumes that utilize these features typically look nice at a glance, but can often be difficult to find the necessary information.
Do not put a picture of yourself on your resume. We want to focus on your experience and who you will be as a future nurse.

For more information, please read the FAQ page and email HRNGORPrograms@mednet.ucla.edu or call toll-free: 1-310-267-3292 with any specific questions.