Need advice on hospitals in Denver!!

U.S.A. Colorado

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I will be moving to Denver in May after I complete my BSN from the University of Kansas Medical Center. I am planning on applying for a position in the ER or trauma ICU. I have a few questions that I would love for people to answer if anyone has any input...THANKS!

1. What hospital has a good reputation in Denver & would be a good place to work in the ER or trauma ICU?

2. What is the starting pay for a BSN new grad?

3. Does anyone have any experience with the new graduate nursing residency programs that are offered at the hospitals?

4. What hospitals are Level 1 trauma centers?

I have heard that management makes all the difference in the world, so if anyone has experience working in the ER or trauma ICUs in the Denver area, I would love to get feedback on what units are better than others.

Thanks everyone!!

Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, Ortho.
.... hiring freezes have taken place all over, unfortunately. i've been here for three months and have yet to find a job. ......

louiemed5, are you new graduate? how many years of experience do you have?

it's so hard to imagine that after significant nursing shortage the situation just turn over the night to complete excess of hospital nurses. is the situation the same in ltf?

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louiemed5, are you new graduate? how many years of experience do you have?

it's so hard to imagine that after significant nursing shortage the situation just turn over the night to complete excess of hospital nurses. is the situation the same in ltf?

i am not sure i follow what you are saying, but yes, i am a new graduate. i have applied to over 100 positions all over denver, surrounding areas, and even cities throughout colorado. i did have luck in being offered a position in cheyenne, wy, but in the end, i just was not willing to move. if you are persistent with nurse recruiters, and plesant with nurse managers, sometimes they will invite you to career fairs. in those situations...make a wonderful impression (a.k.a. put on your "stunna" cap). i went to one, and it might have just gotten me a position (i'm still waiting to hear back). something else i recommend is a suggestion i read from a posting here: if you see a position available (something obtainable-many hospitals do not like to put new grads in specialty areas unless you did an internship on that specific unit), find out the name of the nurse manager and when he/she will be on the unit. next, type up a cover letter, resume, and even get a few references if you can to have in hand. bring them to the unit, and meet the nurse manager in person. introduce yourself, give the papers, and say something simple, like, "i would love to work on this unit, and i just wanted to put a face to a name amidst all of the other resume's you have receieved." i did this and got an interview on that unit. unfortunately, the position went to someone with experience, but she invited me to the invite only career fair.

oh, i do not know what ltf is?

i hope this helps marynochka! :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, Ortho.

louimed, thank you for reply. ltf is long-term facility.

i'm actually not a new graduate. i have 1 year experience as lpn in nursing home and as rn almost 2 years (can you count "almost"?:cry:) in med-surg unit in hospital. in the current time i'm in process of getting bsn; hope to graduate in 2010. but i'm still concerned about finding a job due to bad economics. i do appreciate your advice about visiting unit manager. great idea!

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louimed, thank you for reply. ltf is long-term facility.

i'm actually not a new graduate. i have 1 year experience as lpn in nursing home and as rn almost 2 years (can you count "almost"?:cry:) in med-surg unit in hospital. in the current time i'm in process of getting bsn; hope to graduate in 2010. but i'm still concerned about finding a job due to bad economics. i do appreciate your advice about visiting unit manager. great idea!

that's so great! i don't think you'll have nearly as much trouble as i have had. i chose to work in a snowboarding shop (rather than get my emt or cna) while in school, and i'm paying for it now. just try to network as much as you can while still in school...as i'm sure you're working in a hospital while in school.

you're genuinely on the right track, and again, i wish you the very best of luck in finishing your degree!!

don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions. although, it sounds like you would be a great resource for me since you've been on the floor so much longer! :)

take care!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry.

..they are actually NICE at Exempla, St. Joes...

"nice"...what the heck does that mean?...the pay is good, the training is cutting edge???

Nice???

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Good luck in trying to find a job anywhere in Denver as a new grad. Forget what you hear about the nursing shortage. It doesn't exisist here.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, Ortho.
good luck in trying to find a job anywhere in denver as a new grad. forget what you hear about the nursing shortage. it doesn't exisist here.

semperfi, what do you mean "nursing shortage doesn't exist in co"?! nursing shortage is nationalwide problem. why is colorado different? where this information came from? and is it the same with nurses with some experience? i'm rn with 2 years of hospital experience. i plan to move to co. will i have too a real problems to find a job?!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I agree with semperfi that the 'shortage' (if it exists) is not as bad in CO as in other states. You definately stand a better chance since you already have hospital experience but i would recommend making sure employment is in place BEFORE making the move.

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

Exempla St. Joe's is a great organization to work for. They are so kind and helpful towards new graduate nurses.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

If you have a few years of experience and interview well, you should have no difficulty finding a hospital job. My husband and I moved here in May, both with 4 years of RN experience, and we both had multiple job offers.

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Specializes in Nonviolent physical intervention.

I'm a new Grad nurse in Colorado. The people from my class were hired where they had done their senior specialty. When they applied anywhere the people didn't know them, they weren't hired. I think that getting hired as a new grad is difficult anywhere in nursing, but ESPECIALLY in ICU or ER. The reason for that, I think, is a lot because those fields of nursing require a lot of intuition based on years of experience. My personal advice is to save yourself the stress and time. I would suggest starting off in a less acuity field first (like long term care, outpt. surgery, or even a med-surg floor). Get at least one year of experience, and then consider applying for ICU or ER.

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I'm looking at Sky Ridge CVOR. Is there a heart program to speak of? And looking at moving to Monument. Be interested in any input.

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