[rnstudent4life]

I have recently graduated and am waiting to take my boards in MD. I am interested in working in critical care/ shock trauma (if they'll hire a new grad...) and am just wondering if there is anyone out there who works, or has worked at STC and could tell me a bit about what it was like and if they liked what they did??? I see that on their employment listings they have openings in Acute care and neurotrauma imc, are these good places to start out???

-Thanks
Brian

[PennyLane]

Brian,

I may be doing my Med/Surg clinical there this summer. I'll let you know if I meet any new grads there, I can ask them what it's like.

Penny

[Evelyn381]

I passed my boards in June. I am starting a fellowship program for the critical care unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center. They have a 16 week orientation. Excellent Program! There are no worries about where you can get placed. When you are talking with your interviewee, show them how much you really want this position, interview them. They hired me on the spot for critical care. I think you should start out in what your heart desires. Don't settle for anything less. If you know that critical care/ trauma is where you want to be, then make that happen! I did! I went on several interviews and was hired at everyone of the hospitals, but I had to look at what they offered. I chose the one furthest from me because of the sign on bonus, they are paying for my last two semesters of school, plus the kaplan review course, high tech, along with computer charting, and a great orientation, nice atmosphere and the people I have met so far are nice. I will start in September, so I dont know too much about the unit staff. Oh and they have motorized air mattress beds that recline into a chair at the push of a button. Awesome!
Eveln

Originally Posted by rnstudent4life

I have recently graduated and am waiting to take my boards in MD. I am interested in working in critical care/ shock trauma (if they'll hire a new grad...) and am just wondering if there is anyone out there who works, or has worked at STC and could tell me a bit about what it was like and if they liked what they did??? I see that on their employment listings they have openings in Acute care and neurotrauma imc, are these good places to start out???

-Thanks
Brian

[PennyLane]

Congrats Eveln! Some of my classmates had clinicals at Anne Arundel and spoke favorably of the hospital. I hope to start in critical care, too, after I graduate in December.

[Evelyn381]

Originally Posted by PennyLane

Congrats Eveln! Some of my classmates had clinicals at Anne Arundel and spoke favorably of the hospital. I hope to start in critical care, too, after I graduate in December.

Oh, I am glad to hear that classmates of yours had clinicals at Anne Arundel and had good things to say about it. That relieves my tension some. I know starting a new job is stressful in itself, but to work with people who are mean, like at SMHC would only make it worse starting out as a new grad. I heard great things about AAMC and that is why I decided to accept the position there. Thanks,
Evelyn

[BSNgrad2004]

I was just offered a position at SMHC on 2East/West for a Med-Tele-Peds floor...is this the floor with the mean people that you are talking about?? I have to let them know by Friday (aug 20th) if I will take the job.

[Evelyn381]

Originally Posted by BSNgrad2004

I was just offered a position at SMHC on 2East/West for a Med-Tele-Peds floor...is this the floor with the mean people that you are talking about?? I have to let them know by Friday (aug 20th) if I will take the job.

Let's just say that I live in Clinton, Maryland and was offered two nursing positions in two different specialty units and I declined, even though they are ten minutes away from me. I took a job at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I did clinicals at SMHC on the Med/Surg floor 2E/W and they treated the nursing students like s*#t. Don't get me wrong there were maybe two really nice nurses there, but I would never work the med/surg floor there. Those med/surg nurses had my friend of age 52 in tears. She even came close to dropping out that night. They are not team players, they only care about themselves. I know several nurses, doctors and anesthesiologists that worked there and hated it, same goes for Civista. Saint Mary's and Calvert has a little better reputation, but not much. I was offered positions at everyone of these hospitals and ended up taking the one furthest away from me. Anne Arundel has an excellent reputation. I have not heard one bad thing about them. I have asked my friends in the medical field as well as patients that attend these hospitals. Ask around and you will see the people's reaction. Instructors are also a great resource.
I personally would not recommend going there from personal experience in clinicals and as a patient, but you will have to decide that for yourself. Who knows you may end up liking it. But that place is not for me. I want a nice atmosphere with friendly employees. I received that at Anne Arundel Medical Center. If you have questions about Anne Arundel, I know they are looking for med/surg RN's, I will be glad to answer what I can. Ex: $1500 sign on bonus, Pay up to $3000 of your senior year in nursing school, friendly people, and satisfied patients, as well as employees. I will start orientation soon there. Sorry to not give you a positive reaction to SMHC. You have to test the waters for yourself. AAMC gave me a month to give them an answer, so did Civista, Calvert and St. Mary's. I had to do research before giving an answer. But SMHC wanted a notice in a week. That told me something right there. Plus I do know Dr. Chairemonte, oh he would not be happy with the way I felt about SMHC. He wanted me to work there, but no no no. Good Luck in your nursing career. I am sure whatever decision you make will be okay and remember you can always find a job somewhere as a nurse. You do not need to stay somewhere you are miserable. So try it out if you would like. I say go with your gut. That is what I did.
Take Care,
Evelyn

[BSNgrad2004]

thank you so much for your detailed response. I somewhat already knew about SMHC's reputation, and I just needed further evidence to see what type of environment it would be like. The nurse manager and nurse recruiter made everything seem like it was a nice place to work (location,comparable pay,"positive environment",teamwork). I just called AAMC, but unfortunately their internships are already filled and the next available one is in January. What can you tell me about Civista?

[Evelyn381]

Originally Posted by BSNgrad2004

thank you so much for your detailed response. I somewhat already knew about SMHC's reputation, and I just needed further evidence to see what type of environment it would be like. The nurse manager and nurse recruiter made everything seem like it was a nice place to work (location,comparable pay,"positive environment",teamwork). I just called AAMC, but unfortunately their internships are already filled and the next available one is in January. What can you tell me about Civista?

First of all Civisita is a union, which I really don't have a problem with. But what the union pays is what it pays. If they increase you get an increase, if they decrease you get a decrease. I know the nurses have been on stike a few times. I did clinicals there my first and second year of nursing school on the med/surg floor and newborn/L&D. The nurses on L&D were very nice and the same goes for the nursery, same goes for SMHC. But those med/surg nurses are witches. The main nurse that everyone had a problem with is now a case manager. She would put needles in her mouth to uncap them. She treated the staff and the students horribly. There is one nurse there that was exceptionally sweet. I know several nurses that work there now in the OR and L&D. They stay there only because of conveinence. They have to rotate out a lot due to shortages. They wanted me to get my ACLS and PALS. I was getting the job for ICU. The PALS was because they wanted to rotate me to the ER when needed. The nurses I know and the anesthesiologist I know there even said go to AAMC if you can. Don't go to SMHC, Civista, Calvert or St. Mary's. But out of all those they said St. Mary's was better.
Have you ever checked out Fort Washington Hospital Center. We did clinicals there as well. Most of the med/surg nurses were very helpful. They always lended a helping hand to fellow nurses and nursing students. I know they need help in med/surg. It is a small hospital, mostly felipino nurses, but who cares about that, but for the majority of the nurses and staff they seem very nice. Not to mention most of the doctors are nice as well. They were quick to teach me how to do things with patients as well. You would probably like it there. I would recommend that hospital if you want to stay in the area. All the students did. There was one nurse that I did not like and I just stayed out of her way, but I got along with everyone at all the clinical sites. It was mostly the other students having problems. I am the type of person that will stand up for myself in a professional way if need be, but I never had too. I observed every hospital that I did clinicals at and that is how I know how these nurses are.
And remember what ever hospital you decide to work at you do not have to stay there if you do not like it. AAMC is offering fellowships in January so there is always that opportunity awaiting you. I start my fellowship in September, so I will let you know what I think about working there.
Good Luck!
Evelyn

[RNBM]

I've worked at several Baltimore area hospitals and right now, THE BEST nursing situation hands down is at UMMC. We have a new CNO who has set the bar high, empowered us, inspired us, and cares about us. Her name is Lisa Rowen and she came from Hopkins where she was the CNO.

She's been here only about 6 months or so, but, what a difference she's made. I had the chance to meet her last week and after talking to her for about five minutes, I felt like I had known her all my life. We laughed so hard I was practically in tears. The fact that she spent time with me out of the blue was very meaningful.

For the first time in my career, I have to say I LOVE going to work.
I don't think I'll be looking elsewhere (hopefully for a long time).