My name is Eva, and this is my UPMC story. Since I began my career at UPMC Hamot, I have grown so much in the last 5 years as a professional and as a person. I have been able to do all of this through UPMC.
I went to Mercyhurst for my ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) and graduated in August of 2011. I started as a graduate nurse here at UPMC Hamot on 4 South, our ortho/trauma unit. At that time, we were also a stroke unit. I transitioned over to the intermediate unit within my first year and stayed at 4IU/MRIU until 2017. During that time there was some restructuring of units to become what it is today: MRIU—the medical-surgical intermediate unit—which is the only step-down unit in the organization that takes ventilator-dependent patients.
Most people agree that if you can work on MRIU, you can work anywhere. It’s a challenging unit, the patients are critically ill and have a high acuity. It’s busy, requires a lot of critical thinking, organizational skills, and flexibility. But I loved it there. I have always enjoyed the critical thinking aspect of nursing, putting the pieces together, and fixing my patients.
A photo of a co-worker and me!
"I have always enjoyed the critical thinking aspect of nursing, putting the pieces together, and fixing my patients."
Eva W., Registered Nurse, UPMC Hamot
After about 7 years in MRIU, I needed a change. I had been in the same unit forever, went through a lot of life changes—I was a single mom all through nursing school, but by the beginning of my career, I met my husband and we started building our life and expanding our family. I was also very involved in my unit, chairing the leadership committee, built an R and R committee (that was very lucrative and successful), did the unit scheduling, and participated in the peer-review process. I was busy!
I decided to switch things up and joined the SWAT (“Supplemental Work and Transition” nurse) team with corporate services. UPMC’s SWAT team is our own systemwide traveling nurse team. The SWAT nurses work 6-week assignments on critically staffed units at all the hospitals within the system. Taking on this role really pushed me out of my comfort zone, I went from an expert in my field, one of the leaders on my team, to a novice in a role I was unfamiliar with, working at different facilities and with different people all the time. Talk about room for growth! And boy did I grow.
I spent 3 years as a SWAT nurse before I was ready to come home – to Hamot. I spent a lot of time working at different hospitals within our system, and anytime people would ask “What’s your favorite hospital?” without a doubt I would always say, “Hamot, hands down.” We have a different culture here. I can’t quite explain it, but it’s palpable. No one place is perfect, just like no one person is, but here at Hamot we take a lot of pride in our autonomy and skills as nurses, we excel. I enjoyed my time as a SWAT nurse, experiencing new things and growing as a professional, but I was ready to start thriving again instead of just going through the motions. So, I came home.
Enjoying the newest addition to our family!
With my co-workers during some rare downtime!
"No one place is perfect, just like no one person is, but here at UPMC Hamot, we take a lot of pride in our autonomy and skills as nurses. We excel."
Eva W., Staff Nurse, UPMC Hamot
I just finished my BSN through Capella University. It took me almost two years, but I have a family at home that comes first, so I didn’t rush it – and that’s what is nice about the flex path program with Capella. What a relief it is to finally be done!
I have been back at Hamot for a year now, and I just finished up the Nurse Leader Residency program – I would strongly recommend anyone that is a nurse apply for the residency program, it has been literally one of the best opportunities I have ever had, and I am eternally grateful that I was selected to participate in the program. I have grown SO much in the last 5 years as a professional, as a person and I have been able to do all of this through UPMC. We strive for excellence here, and if you want to keep growing and thriving, this is the place to be.
A photo of me (right) with the CNO of UPMC Hamot after completing the Nurse Leader Residency.
Being a nurse at UPMC comes with a wealth of opportunities. Whether you’re seeking growth through a defined career ladder, premier benefits and access to award-winning care, work-life balance to enjoy time with those closest to you, or an energetic and encouraging team to make your shifts a breeze, a UPMC nursing career allows you to pursue what’s most important to you.
UPMC is now offering sign-on bonuses of up to $15,000 for candidates with at least two years of nursing experience. Take the next step in your career by exploring nursing opportunities below!
