[bennie]

Thanks RN2BLPN4NOW. I will definitely look into Research Medical Center first.

[RNMare]

I would absolutely explore the possibilities at Providence Medical Center in KCK (western side of the city). I disagree that they use lots of agency - I work agency, and it's hard for me to get shifts there. I love getting assignments there, especially in their critical care units. I would give them a try. Good luck with your move and your job search! The face of healthcare in KC has really changed, with hospital mergers, closings, etc.

[bennie]

RNMare, Thanks. I called Providence and I have a Job interview lined up. I also called Research Medical and St Luke's. Faxed my Resume to St Luke's. I have this feeling that I'll be very very happy in Kansas City.Many jobs to choose from.

[LPN,RNNow]

There are LOTS of jobs to choose from in KC area. Hope you find one that suits you. Good luck!

[peaceful2100]

I work at Research I am obligated to a 2 year commitment there. I would PERSONALLY pick Saint Luke's over Research FIRST. As soon as my 2 years are done I am out of Research unless a LOT of things change for the better. I am sad to say I think things are going to get worse before they will get any better. The nurse patient ratios keep getting worse and worse and worse.

My Personal picks of hospitals in KC would be:

1)Saint Luke's they have 3 different locations they have a Saint Luke's in Midtown, Saint Luke's South in the Overland Park, KS area and a Saint Lukes Northland
2)KU medical center
3)If you are a pediatric person Children's Mercy Hospital It is a magnet hospital and I use to work there and can't wait till my contract is up at Research because that place is where my heart is at I really want to be a pediatric nurse.
4)Truman medical Center
5)North Kansas City Hospital

[MarciRN]

St. Luke's is a great place to work, and their Mid-America Heart Institute is the best cardiac hospital in the area. The management in The MAHI is open and truly cares to try to make it the best place to work. I know several people who drive over an hour each way to go to work there. Personally, I pass 4 hospitals on my way!

[NurzofFaith]

Marci,

I live about 45-60 minutes from Kansas City, in a small college town Warrensburg Missouri, not sure if you have heard of it.

Anyway I am considering a commute to the KC area and was wondering about St. Lukes. I am a RN and I have critical care experience.

Do you think agency is the way to go in the KC area ? I am honestly not even sure where to begin as we just moved here this summer.

Thank you for any input you can share!
~Channa

[eddy]

All this time I've been on this board and never knew we had our own state section! Too Cool!!!

Anyway, I've worked agency at most of the hospitals you folks have been talking about. Of course, we are mixing KS and MO facilities, but what the heck!

Research Medical Center (MO) - Lots of openings. Kinda the dumping grounds for when nurses get cancelled somewhere else. But don't let that hurt them too bad. They have a lot of very dedicated staff nurses there and they are extremely agency friendly.

Baptist/Lutheran Hospital (MO) - I really like working here, but don't much anymore because of being on contracts lately. Good ICU. Evening staffer is very cool there too. Recommended.

Independence Regional (MO) - Been there a couple times, though not recently. No complaints.

Medical Center of Independence (MO) - You work hard here! But there's something about the place. It's a smaller facility and the staff are just awesome, super friendly. You'll work yourself ragged but you'll have a blast doing it.

Truman Downtown (MO) - Watch out for guns shots! Just kidding it's not THAT bad. It's actually one of the best places to work ER in town if you want action.

Truman Lakewood/East (MO) - Smaller facility than the downtown location, but a VERY good place to work. I enjoyed working here in the past, but haven't for a while. May have to go back soon. Recommended.

Menorah (KS) - Cool place. The most beautiful facility I have ever worked at. Only downside for them is that they cancel often on MS units. Specialty sticks pretty good.

Overland Park Regional (KS) - I like going here, but they cancel quite a bit too. Sometimes drives me crazy, so I usually only do late calls for them. Nice facility.

Cushing Memorial (KS) - Awesome place to work! Wish I went there more often but its a bit far from home. Super friendly staff.

Select Secialty Hospital (KS) - Lots of hours. They keep you busy too, but it's an enjoyable place to be.

Atchison Hospital (KS) - Pretty far away and not the best pay rates in the world, but pretty steady work. ICU manager is very cool and the evening supervisor is awesome.

I go to several others but these are the ones that stick out in my mind at the moment. I go to a few nursing homes too, but I prefer hospitals. Hope this might help someone. I work for Cascade Health Services. They have contracts with all the places I prefer to go to, and I've known them for years... Good company. From speaking with other agency nurses in the area, Cascade seems to have the best pay rates at most places as well. There are several good agencies in the area though. I have a few friends that work for Favorite Nurses and have been generally pleased with them as well. I worked for them at one time too and never had any complaints. I have heard some about PNS but I don't think they pay as well, not positive. I think Nurse Finders does ok in Kansas City, but I have no direct experience with them.

Good Luck!
-eddy

[geekgolightly]

Originally posted by eddy
All this time I've been on this board and never knew we had our own state section! Too Cool!!!

Anyway, I've worked agency at most of the hospitals you folks have been talking about. Of course, we are mixing KS and MO facilities, but what the heck!

Research Medical Center (MO) - Lots of openings. Kinda the dumping grounds for when nurses get cancelled somewhere else. But don't let that hurt them too bad. They have a lot of very dedicated staff nurses there and they are extremely agency friendly.

Baptist/Lutheran Hospital (MO) - I really like working here, but don't much anymore because of being on contracts lately. Good ICU. Evening staffer is very cool there too. Recommended.

Independence Regional (MO) - Been there a couple times, though not recently. No complaints.

Medical Center of Independence (MO) - You work hard here! But there's something about the place. It's a smaller facility and the staff are just awesome, super friendly. You'll work yourself ragged but you'll have a blast doing it.

Truman Downtown (MO) - Watch out for guns shots! Just kidding it's not THAT bad. It's actually one of the best places to work ER in town if you want action.

Truman Lakewood/East (MO) - Smaller facility than the downtown location, but a VERY good place to work. I enjoyed working here in the past, but haven't for a while. May have to go back soon. Recommended.

Menorah (KS) - Cool place. The most beautiful facility I have ever worked at. Only downside for them is that they cancel often on MS units. Specialty sticks pretty good.

Overland Park Regional (KS) - I like going here, but they cancel quite a bit too. Sometimes drives me crazy, so I usually only do late calls for them. Nice facility.

Cushing Memorial (KS) - Awesome place to work! Wish I went there more often but its a bit far from home. Super friendly staff.

Select Secialty Hospital (KS) - Lots of hours. They keep you busy too, but it's an enjoyable place to be.

Atchison Hospital (KS) - Pretty far away and not the best pay rates in the world, but pretty steady work. ICU manager is very cool and the evening supervisor is awesome.

I go to several others but these are the ones that stick out in my mind at the moment. I go to a few nursing homes too, but I prefer hospitals. Hope this might help someone. I work for Cascade Health Services. They have contracts with all the places I prefer to go to, and I've known them for years... Good company. From speaking with other agency nurses in the area, Cascade seems to have the best pay rates at most places as well. There are several good agencies in the area though. I have a few friends that work for Favorite Nurses and have been generally pleased with them as well. I worked for them at one time too and never had any complaints. I have heard some about PNS but I don't think they pay as well, not positive. I think Nurse Finders does ok in Kansas City, but I have no direct experience with them.

Good Luck!
-eddy

chock full of information and v e r y helpful. thank you so much, eddy.

[LPN,RNNow]

Hey Bennie and GeekGolytley,
Have you guys gotten jobs. Are you liking it? I am picking up hours at the local nursing home. Not really happy but for a couple days a month. I'm currently getting my RN through Kansas City Kansas Community College. I would love to work at Children's Mercy. I have to get my kids to apoint where they are in school.


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