Mission Hospital Vs. UCI

[fauxpaus]

Hey fellow nurses,

After submitting 5 apps and getting 5 offers, I have narrowed down my top 2 choices to UCI and Mission Hospital (Mission Viejo main hospital) in OC.

I was hoping to hear from someone of you who have worked at one or both of these hospitals to get some insider feedback. Any (really, any..."I worked at ___ and it was a wonderful 3 years") information is fine! If you have worked in the ORs, that's extra great, but honestly, I'm looking for any information from any RN.

Has anyone gotten relocation or a signing bonus for either of these two hospitals? Plus...

- general happiness level of employees

- culture

- benefits - are you happy with them?

- overtime policies

- Tuition reimbursement, raises/bonuses

- do you feel like management in general really cares about you

- Mission is not union, but UCI is - how do you feel about either?

- teaching hospital vs. non-teaching hospital

- training opportunities

- anything else that you guys might think could help me with my decision

- Location - I'll be moving close to the beach either way, so if anyone has comments regarding commute, areas to avoid...

Here's a basic rundown what I know/feel so far -

- UCI is a level 1 trauma center (which might look slightly better on a job app but they don't do liver transplants, one of my specialties)

- Mission (level 2 trauma center) with a great vibe, the people, newer technology. Faith based (doesn't bother me).

- From the brief tours that I got from both, there wasn't that much difference in the cases done (that I could tell based on a brief tour).

Thanks in advance.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I never worked at either. I heard from other nurses though that they were happy at mission. I also knew a case manager who had used to work at UCI but he said most of the nurses hated it there but stayed because of great pension. If they operate anything like the other UCs though, prepare to work very hard where breaks aren't guaranteed. When I worked for st joes which is part of the same hospital system as mission hospital, I usually got my break :) sorry I don't have more direct info. Good luck

[fauxpaus]

Thanks!! That's exactly the type of info I'm looking for. Even if it's secondhand, any discussion will help me :). Appreciate you taking the time to respond. :)

[fauxpaus]

Seriously no comments, folks? Someone has to have worked at these places! :)

[Bobbie BSN]

I worked at UCLA right out of my bachelors program. The best new nurse program; benifits and coworkers. If you are a new grad you cannot go wrong at a UC. The educational opportunities as well as many nursing specialties including research. Also great opportunity to continue your education.

[fauxpaus]

I'm not a new grad. I'm simply relocating and am asking for advice regarding the culture of the hospitals. I'm an OR nurse working in a level 1 trauma center currently. I decided these two places were the best of the 5 offers I received for multiple reasons, but I'd love some insider information as to anyone's experiences with the people, the areas, the management, the benefits, etc.

[zzbxdo]

I work at another UC and can vouch the UC has great benefits and pension. UCLA treats their employees extremely well, I work at UCSD, but each operates independently thus vary. Union is a great thing for the most part. They really do operate very budget conscious, however, I find that unit culture really varies across the board. They're anal about OT, clocking out late, stingy about incentive pay. When it comes down to it, I enjoy the union perks. I just dislike how it makes it hard to get rid of staff that isnt particularly useful if you know what i mean.

[fauxpaus]

Awesome! Thanks for that info. Hoping that UCI treats their employees as well as UCSD since that's where I appear to be going :)

[Banana nut, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I have worked for Mission for 2 years as a tech, and it is a great organization. I know your looking for RN feedback but I thought I would just throw this out there. I could not be happier at this hospital. The community is great. I love the pt. Population and the exceptional care that is given.

[fauxpaus]

Thanks for the response! I ended up taking the position at UCI. It was a very close call, but I'm used to the level 1 trauma and teaching hospital atmosphere, and really enjoyed that aspect of my job. I'm just trying to...be confident about my decision :) I'm now looking for HOUSING, if anyone has any suggestions :)

[Achieveanything]

This is a good post as I am in a similar situation. I am an OR nurse at a level 1 trauma center that will be relocating and looking at UCI and others in the area. I have heard good things about UCI and hope you enjoy working there. Please fill me in on any updates and info on how things are going there. Any info would be great. Thanks everyone

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Housing is very expensive. You want to live close because traffic on the freeways and streets can be terrible even off hours. I had days that took me over an hour to get to work even though it was an 11 mile commute and after 6 pm when it should have died down. Pad mapper . Com was a great site that I found a few decent priced apartments under 2k a month. Good luck. The beach areas are nice to live in, we were in Costa Mesa, but again, that traffic....