[tatarn2b2007]

Hi. I am graduating in May and trying to decide where to work. It seems like every hospital is about the same in pay/sign on bonus. I was wondering if there was a reason someone works for a hospital over another hospital. I feel overwhelmed by the choices out there. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

[K98]

According to the travel nurses on my unit, there isn't much difference between the major teaching hospitals. West Penn just achieved magnet status, and that's supposed to be a good thing. I work at another WPAHS hospital and would not do it again.

[NurseyBaby'05]

I know one thing I looked @ re: sign-on was the length of committment. Also, I looked at the fine print about "high need" facilities that some health systems sneaked in the contracts to sign. The facility that I work at pro-rates your sign-on. Yeah, it was a little disappointing to get a smaller first check when my friends were getting theirs in a lump sum, but now they're stuck at a facility or having to repay several thousand dollars if they leave. If I leave where I'm at now, I only have to pay back the last increment I received. You don't know what's going to be a good fit until you get there. I received 20% when I signed-on, 20% when I passed my boards, 30% when I was an RN for a year, 30% when I've been a RN for two years. Some people were taking their sign-ons during our last year and some of them didn't wind-up passing. It wasn't pretty.

[K98]

Very good advice in the above post

[Pompom]

Are you interested in a teaching hospital or a smaller community hospital? UPMC seems to be taking over but I worked for them through an agency and I can say they work their nurses to death with little resources and supplies. What area of nursing are you interested in? OB, PSych, etc...One of my favorite hospitals was Mercy but now that UPMC bought it I don't know what will happen.

[pghfoxfan]

What are your interests?

West Penn and Mercy have great burn units.
AGH and Mercy have great trauma units
Presby has a good Liver transplant unit.
Many of them have very good ICUs for anything from CCU's, Open Heart, MICU's( I suggest the larger hospitals for ICU experience. Presby, West Penn, Mercy, AGH, Shady Side.
Childrens for anything kid related.
Magee for anything female related
Magee or West Penn for any Neo Natal interests.

If I left a unit or hospital out, I'm sorry...no bad intentions.

Anyway, what are you interested in?

[Lacie]

Dont forget the VA hospital who has one of the top liver transplant units in the country. Bennies outwiegh any civilian sector also due to federal retirement, days off and vacation allowances.

[tatarn2b2007]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am interested in ICU or PCU. I have done clinicals at West Penn and enjoyed it for the most part. I will be looking into West Penn to work when I graduate. Does anyone work there? Do you like it? Thanks again.

[tatarn2b2007]

Any thoughts on UPMC Passavant?

[pghfoxfan]

I like West Penn. I can't speak for a UPMC hospital because I have never worked in one.
I think another thing to consider is the area of the hospital and your drive in. I personally would never want to work in Oakland. Traffic and parking my only reasons. Most city hospitals offer shuttle parking, which does add to your commute, but can save some money. West Penn for one, is free. Big perk, IMO.