[JRA]

Hello,
I have interviews next week at Northwestern Memorial, U of Chicago, and the Swedish Covenant. Does anyone know anything about these hospitals to sway my decision towards one or the other? I plan on living in Bucktown or Wicker Park area. I am 28 YO and from Michigan. I plan on taking my boards in Illinois at the end of May. I eventually want to get my masters and become a teacher so I want to get a great start at a good hospital. I would appreciate anything that anyone has to say about my move, transportation, the hospitals, apartments with dogs, and Chicago. My two best friends live there so I am familiar with the Cities basics. Thanks for your help!
Jamie

[suebird3]

I have heard NorthWestern is good. One of my past instructors works there.

Suebird

[Jolie]

Northwestern is always on my "recommend" list. I would check out staffing VERY CAREFULLY before accepting anything at U of C. I haven't had any contact with Swedish Covenant for years. I used to pick up transports there, and thought it was pretty decent, but a lot can change in 18 years .

I the city, I would also recommend Rush and Children's Memorial.

Before making a commitment, make sure you know how long of a commute you will have from work to home. Some areas of the city are virtually inaccessible from other areas, and a 1-2 hour trip home can really ruin one's day!

Good luck!

[JRA]

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your time! If anyone else has any other useful information I would still really love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks Suebird and Jolie!
J.

[Raymond CA]

Originally Posted by Jolie

Northwestern is always on my "recommend" list. I would check out staffing VERY CAREFULLY before accepting anything at U of C.

This raised my eyebrow. Why do you caution working at the U. of Chicago?

[Jolie]

Originally Posted by Raymond CA

This raised my eyebrow. Why do you caution working at the U. of Chicago?

Like I said, I would check out staffing VERY CAREFULLY at U of C. 'Nuff said.

[krzysiu]

what departments are you looking to work in. for example, northwestern neuro ICU on nights = busy!

CHRIS

[neuroillini]

Originally Posted by Raymond CA

This raised my eyebrow. Why do you caution working at the U. of Chicago?

My wife interviewed at U of C for the NICU. At UofC, you also have to consider that nurses are unionized there. They all get paid the same (which is higher than the average chicago nurse) but there is little advancement opportunities as far as pay. And of course, you don't want to be roaming the streets around the UofC campus at night...no matter how tuff you are!!

Congrats on getting into Rush's ABSN program, Raymond...i will be joining you Dec 11th. My wife graduated from the same program in '05. When they say it's an intensive program...they mean it. Class-Study-Eat-Sleep-Class. Also, i think we're in the same boat about aspirations (i plan on going into cardio ICU and then CRNA).

[nipa]

Originally Posted by krzysiu

what departments are you looking to work in. for example, northwestern neuro ICU on nights = busy!

CHRIS

I work in NC at a neuro ICU and planning to move to illinois (chicago and suburbs) early next year. What's the nurse to pt ratio. I do 1:2 now. Neuro pts are usually busy bit how busy is on ur end? Do you have CNAs to help?

[livingthedream]

I have been a pt at both hospitals... studying to be a nurse now. I would say Northwestern 100%. Not a great experience at UofC.