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Graduate Rn Jobs in Erie, PA (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Rn information

See Erie, PA salary details

$22

$28

$40

How much do graduate rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate rn in Erie, PA is $29.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.11 and $29.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Graduate Rn vs Registered Nurse?

AspectGraduate RnRegistered Nurse
CredentialsCompletion of nursing program, eligibility for licensureActive nursing license, full licensure
Work EnvironmentEntry-level clinical settings, training rolesFull responsibilities in hospitals, clinics
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, healthcare facilities during trainingHospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations

The main difference between a Graduate Rn and a Registered Nurse is that a Graduate Rn is a newly licensed nurse still gaining experience, often in training roles, while a Registered Nurse has full licensure and can perform all nursing duties independently. Both roles require passing the NCLEX exam, but the Graduate Rn typically has less experience and responsibilities compared to a fully licensed RN.

How to make $100,000 as a new grad nurse?

New graduate registered nurses can reach a $100,000 salary by gaining experience in high-demand specialties such as critical care or anesthesia, working in regions with higher pay scales, pursuing additional certifications, and taking on night or overtime shifts. Developing strong clinical skills and seeking roles in urban or affluent areas can also increase earning potential.

What else can I do with my RN degree?

An RN degree can lead to various career paths beyond bedside nursing, including roles in case management, health education, research, healthcare administration, and policy development. RNs can also specialize in areas such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care, often requiring additional certifications or training. These options allow for career advancement and diversification within the healthcare field.

What is a Graduate RN?

A Graduate RN, or Graduate Registered Nurse, is an individual who has completed an accredited nursing program and earned a nursing degree but has not yet passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This status allows them to work in a supervised capacity, often in a hospital or healthcare setting, while preparing to take the licensing exam. Graduate RNs typically transition to fully licensed Registered Nurses after passing the NCLEX-RN. Their responsibilities may be limited compared to fully licensed RNs, depending on state regulations and employer policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate RN, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate RN, you need a solid understanding of nursing fundamentals, patient assessment, and basic clinical procedures, typically supported by a nursing degree and eligibility for RN licensure. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), clinical documentation systems, and basic patient care technologies is important. Strong communication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn help Graduate RNs excel in diverse and evolving clinical environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for providing safe, effective care and ensuring a smooth transition from education to professional practice.

What support can Graduate RNs expect during their transition from student to professional nurse?

Graduate RNs typically receive structured support through residency or orientation programs designed to ease the transition from academic training to clinical practice. These programs often include mentorship from experienced nurses, guided hands-on experiences, and regular feedback sessions. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is encouraged to build confidence and develop clinical judgment. Most hospitals provide ongoing educational resources and opportunities for skill development to help Graduate RNs grow within the organization.

Where do new grad RNs make the most money?

New graduate registered nurses (RNs) tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a high cost of living and greater demand for healthcare services, such as metropolitan areas or states with competitive pay scales. Hospitals, especially those in urban centers or specialized facilities, often offer higher starting salaries to attract new grads. Salary can also vary based on certifications, shift differentials, and the local healthcare market conditions.

What can I do as a new grad RN?

As a new graduate registered nurse (RN), you can work in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities. Entry-level roles often involve patient care, administering medications, and collaborating with healthcare teams. Obtaining certification in areas like Basic Life Support (BLS) and gaining clinical experience can enhance job prospects.
What cities near Erie, PA are hiring for Graduate Rn jobs? Cities near Erie, PA with the most Graduate Rn job openings:
Infographic showing various Graduate Rn job openings in Erie, PA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,318 per year, or $29 per hour.
Professional Staff Nurse - 6 South CT Surgery

Professional Staff Nurse - 6 South CT Surgery

UPMC Hamot

Erie, PA • On-site

Other

PTO

Posted 16 days ago


UPMC Hamot rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

246th of 1,004 rated hospitals


Job description

Join our dedicated team at UPMC Hamot as a Full-Time Professional Staff Nurse on the 6 South unit!

This position offers rotating day/night shifts. This posting is intended for experienced Registered Nurses. If you are a Graduate Nurse interested in opportunities with UPMC Hamot, we encourage you to apply to Job ID 26000139 for consideration.

In this dynamic and rewarding role, you will provide exceptional post-operative care on 6 South - the Cardiovascular, Renal Transplant, and Surgical Specialty Acute Care Unit. This 43-bed medical-surgical unit specializes in the care of adult patients recovering from Cardiothoracic, Vascular, and Gastric Bypass/Weight Loss surgeries, as well as kidney transplant donors and recipients. The unit also supports patients requiring telemetry or oxygen monitoring, including therapies such as CPAP, BIPAP, and Optiflow. Nurses on this unit are experienced in managing glycemic control, vasoactive medications, and hemodynamic monitoring. Our telemetry beds allow for the administration of anti-arrhythmic medications, electrolyte replacement, and continuous cardiac monitoring.

Position Summary:The Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse and an integral member of the care delivery team. This role sets the standards for the level and quality of nursing care, taking responsibility, authority, and accountability for patient care. The Professional Staff Nurse manages patient care activities for a designated group of patients and their families, utilizing independent judgment and fostering communication and collaboration with all team members. This role encompasses leadership, partnership, collaboration, and supervision, while establishing and maintaining relationships with physicians, other healthcare providers, patients, and families to achieve optimal patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The Professional Staff Nurse is committed to the community and the nursing profession.

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's how we support our nurses:

  • Generous Sign-On Bonus for experienced nurses of up to $20,000 (Amount and eligibility based on type of nursing role and candidate experience)

  • 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!)

Title and salary will be determined based upon education and nursing experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Relationship Building:Develop and maintain productive working relationships internally and externally, demonstrating accountability, enthusiasm, and commitment to patients and colleagues. Recognize cultural differences and promote healthy relationships while maintaining a balance between work and personal life. Communicate safety hazards identified in the workplace to peers and management.

  • Patient Education:Demonstrate knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children when applicable) to effectively teach patients, families, students, and new staff. Provide comprehensive education to guide patients and families through their care episodes and transitions to other levels of care or home. Support the development of students and new staff, serving as a preceptor and fostering an environment of open dialogue and continuous improvement through feedback.

  • Nursing Process Application:Utilize the nursing process within the framework of Relationship-Based Care to create a healing environment. Formulate daily goals and care plans that involve the patient as a partner, considering their holistic needs. Employ critical thinking to identify and address clinical, social, safety, psychological, and spiritual issues. Communicate effectively with other care providers, articulating the patient's condition and recommending changes in care as needed. Ensure comprehensive documentation that promotes effective communication among caregivers.

  • Professional Development:Take accountability for personal and professional development, actively participating in unit-based shared governance and goal-setting initiatives. Support quality improvement efforts to enhance patient care and the practice environment. Collaborate as a full partner on the care team, responding to team members' needs for assistance.

  • Quality Improvement:Engage in department or unit-specific quality improvement initiatives. Identify opportunities for improvement and take personal responsibility for enhancing patient satisfaction with care and service. Utilize research and evidence-based practices to support clinical care improvements, discussing findings during multidisciplinary rounds and influencing patients' care plans.This role is essential in fostering a patient-centered approach while ensuring the highest standards of nursing practice.

  • Experience:Zero to two years of nursing experience
  • Interpersonal Skills:Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary staff, and patients/families.
  • Work Environment:Ability to work effectively in a complex environment, managing multiple priorities and specialized equipment.
  • Clinical Judgment:Strong clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities related to various aspects of patient care.
  • Mobility Requirements:Mobility and visual manual dexterity; physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients.
  • The individual must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and interact appropriately with patients of all ages as specified for the assigned unit.
  • Candidates should possess an understanding of the principles of growth and development across the lifespan and be able to assess and interpret data reflective of each patient's status, identifying their age-specific needs to provide appropriate care as outlined in departmental policies and procedures.

Flexible Work Options:UPMC offers various flexible scheduling options, including primarily night or weekend shifts with premium pay differentials. Employees hired into or transitioning to these programs must have at least six months of nursing experience and may need to complete orientation during regular business hours. If interested, please inform your recruiter during the interview process.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

  • CPR Certification:Required based on AHA standards, including both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
  • ACLS Certification:Must obtain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification within one year of hire or transfer.
  • Act 34 clearance
  • NIH Stroke Scale (NIH) Stroke within 6 months of hire or transfer.
  • Licensure: Registered Nurse (RN) OR Temporary Practice Permit (TPP)
    Graduate nurses must complete licensure examination within SIX MONTHS of hire or within one year of graduation, whichever comes first. Though temporary permits are valid for one year from the date of graduation, not one year from issue of permit (or until the results of the examination are known at which time it becomes null and void), UPMC requires that GNs take the licensure examination within 6 months of their start date or they will be terminated or demoted from the GN position, at the discretion of the BU.
  • Preferred Certification:UPMC-approved national certification.

Current licensure must be held in the state where the facility is located or, if applicable, a multistate license issued by a participating Nursing Licensure Compact state. Employees with an out-of-state NLC license must apply for licensure in the new state within 60 days of changing residency.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran


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