Graduate Nurse Rotational Program: Mercy Trauma/Burn Track (Spring 2026 Grads)

Graduate Nurse Rotational Program

Are you graduating from nursing school in Spring 2026 and looking to launch your nursing career? Our Graduate Nurse Rotational Program may be the perfect fit! In this Trauma Burn Track, you will rotate through various units within Mercy Hospital to gain valuable and varied experience while working alongside an experienced nurse to help mentor and guide you in your learning.

Located in downtown Pittsburgh, UPMC Mercy is the region's only combined Level 1 Trauma Center and Comprehensive Burn Center. It is also the home and hub of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. As Pittsburgh's only Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy works to provide compassionate quality health care to all people.

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 in the Trauma Burn Track. This GNRP cohort will begin in August 2026 and focuses on Spring 2026 graduates. Previous participants have had the opportunity to rotate through various units including the 11E Burn, Trauma, Ortho Unit, 12E Integrated Medicine, and the 7E Rehabilitation Unit for 10 months. Opportunities to shadow in the Trauma Burn ICU or the Emergency Department are available in this track.

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 & 2026 nursing graduates, offering $20,000* in loan repayment paid over three years (*Eligible flex full-time RN roles to receive prorated amount)
• Generous Paid Time Off accrual, 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 10-month 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 nurses work 3, 12-hour rotating shifts each week to ensure 24/7 coverage on the floor. Typical start times include 7am and 7pm.

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 per hour.

BSN Preferred

Completion of UPMC Student Nurse Internship Program or student clinical transitions course at UPMC preferred

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.

Understand the principles of growth and development over the lifespan

Assess data on patients' statuses to identify each patient's specific care needs

Ability to 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 judgement, 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
• ACT 73 FBI Fingerprinting Clearance
• ACT 33 Child Abuse Clearance
• Basic Life Support

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. Minority/Females/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities