Anything good about CO nursing?????

U.S.A. Colorado

Published

After reading a lot of the previous posts, I haven't read too many good things about the health system in CO. Has anyone had good job experiences? I was thinking of moving to CO once I graduate, but now I'm really having second thoughts.

Anyone?

I agree totally. I moved here two years ago from Nebraska, and I am disappointed with the cost of living and the wages. In Omaha, we lived in a nice, roomy, 4 bedroom house, that we sold for about 180,000. That won't even buy you a trailer here. My wages, when I moved here, were about the same as what I was making in Omaha.

Yes, we moved here because we had always wanted to live in the mountains. It was a goal of mine for as long as I could remember. We like to ski, snowshoe, and hike. However, I don't want to live paycheck to paycheck. I love living in the mountains, unfortunately we chose a resort town to live in. I don't know if housing is better in other parts of the state, but we may have to move.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

true...I hear the ER at memorial has hired lots of travelers to compensate for the loss of employees to the new North facility, but they also recently fired one of their experience rn's who incidentally had tried to initiate a union in Colorado Springs...coincidence? You be the judge; believe me, they will treat you however they want, and if you want to work in this town, you will put up with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

Right or wrong, conspiracy or not, if you look all around, these same threads are in all states. I'ts the nature of health care. I've worked in way to many states and cities, and it's all the same. It has nothing to do with it being Colorado.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked in 7 different hospitals, from east to west & parts in between. CO is a beautiful state, beautiful weather, LOTS of sunshine (we have the highest skin cancer rate in the nation) & real nice people. However, the COL is high, (we have the highest bankruptcy rate in the country). The hospital I'm at here pays less than I was making in some rural hospitals- the major beef seems to be that experienced nurses, and nurses w/seniority are are not being fairly compensated compared w/inexperienced RNs, this causes high turnovers, and constant orienting & training of new employees. (I am in the Denver area). I like it here well enough, but am not sure if I'll stay. I have heard that both Swedish & Porter hospitals treat their nurses great- I have friends at both. I have received calls from recruiters in Steamboat & Vail, however the wages were not enough to make me want to relocate. Another problem I've noticed is that when you're hired here they'll promise you ALOT but never seem to come through. There are plenty of beautiful states to choose from- Hawaii is offering huge hourly wages & bonuses to try & alleviate their nursing shortage, some include living expenses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have worked in 7 different hospitals, from east to west & parts in between. CO is a beautiful state, beautiful weather, LOTS of sunshine (we have the highest skin cancer rate in the nation) & real nice people. However, the COL is high, (we have the highest bankruptcy rate in the country). The hospital I'm at here pays less than I was making in some rural hospitals- the major beef seems to be that experienced nurses, and nurses w/seniority are are not being fairly compensated compared w/inexperienced RNs, this causes high turnovers, and constant orienting & training of new employees. (I am in the Denver area). I like it here well enough, but am not sure if I'll stay. I have heard that both Swedish & Porter hospitals treat their nurses great- I have friends at both. I have received calls from recruiters in Steamboat & Vail, however the wages were not enough to make me want to relocate. Another problem I've noticed is that when you're hired here they'll promise you ALOT but never seem to come through. There are plenty of beautiful states to choose from- Hawaii is offering huge hourly wages & bonuses to try & alleviate their nursing shortage, some include living expenses.

I'll put in a vote for Porter. I have been on staff in most of the hospitals in Denver and Porter as the strongest nursing staff anywhere. Swedish has good nursing also. Better choice if you like trauma.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, Orthopedics.
true...I hear the ER at memorial has hired lots of travelers to compensate for the loss of employees to the new North facility, but they also recently fired one of their experience rn's who incidentally had tried to initiate a union in Colorado Springs...coincidence? You be the judge; believe me, they will treat you however they want, and if you want to work in this town, you will put up with it.

Interesting to hear about the RN being fired. The NNOC has been trying to make an entrance here. I also talked to an RN who was "let go" after an on-the-job back injury left her unable to do her job (at Memorial).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Just curious to know y'alls opinion on nursing in COS - To what extent is there a 'nursing shortage' in COS? I have heard varying opinions on this.

It seems that COS would have to compete with Denver for nurses, but maybe this isn't the case. It does sound like the pay is lower. Do alot of RN's commute to Denver to make the 'big bucks?'

It seems there are alot of nursing schools in the area - so every May are the hospitals flooded with 'new grads?' That is what happens up here on the N. front range. Maybe another factor in the lower wages?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi guyz...new nurse here from philippines..I haven't work yet but nursing is a good choice for me.

LOL:rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, Orthopedics.
Just curious to know y'alls opinion on nursing in COS - To what extent is there a 'nursing shortage' in COS? I have heard varying opinions on this.

It seems that COS would have to compete with Denver for nurses, but maybe this isn't the case. It does sound like the pay is lower. Do alot of RN's commute to Denver to make the 'big bucks?'

It seems there are alot of nursing schools in the area - so every May are the hospitals flooded with 'new grads?' That is what happens up here on the N. front range. Maybe another factor in the lower wages?

Well, I recently heard an interesting perspective on the nationwide "shortage" - that there really isn't one, only nurses who have gotten out of the field b/c they're burnt. Having said that, I have heard that the "shortage" is worse here than in other states. How much more, I don't know.

Some RNs do travel to Denver for the $$, but since it's an hour away, I don't know many who do it for long. Alot of the graduating students just move there. At my old hosp, the new grads were usually on the night shift, but I wouldn't say we were flooded. There was a fairly high turnover there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just curious to know y'alls opinion on nursing in COS - To what extent is there a 'nursing shortage' in COS? I have heard varying opinions on this.

It seems that COS would have to compete with Denver for nurses, but maybe this isn't the case. It does sound like the pay is lower. Do alot of RN's commute to Denver to make the 'big bucks?'

It seems there are alot of nursing schools in the area - so every May are the hospitals flooded with 'new grads?' That is what happens up here on the N. front range. Maybe another factor in the lower wages?

I think the competition comes from the Castle Rock area. Nurse there are between the two areas. A lot go to Denver because of the better money.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment