[-Emma-]

Hi.
I'm planning to move to Colorado by the end of this year. My husband and I are checking out Boulder, Salida, Colorado Springs areas. I'm interested in getting into an ICU. In Boulder, the Boulder Community Hospital looks like a winner. The post cardiac bypass surgery and balloon pumps look interesting. I'm in an ICU now that seems to only have patient's older than 80 and are on ventilators. Every now and then we get an interesting case. Colorado Springs looks like Penrose-St.Francis is the only choice. Not having good luck finding one near Salida. I'd really appreciate anyone's thoughts and information on these hospitals and any others that would be nearby. Thank you. Sorry if my thoughts are scattered.

[neuroRN]

Hi. I know it has been a while since you posted this, but I thought I would share my insight. Boulder Community is a small hospital and it's ICU is soon to be in jeopardy as a new facility in Lafayette is opening in December. The new facility, Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital would be the place to go to work in the ICU.

[-Emma-]

Thank you for posting. I have visited Boulder Community Hospital and the ICU and manager. They seem to be optimistic about keeping their census up. Or were you talking about the ICU's nurses leaving for Exempla and making the ICU short staffed? The ICU was nice. I did head out to see Exempla but it was not yet finished being built. So they didn't get any of my information. I sometimes get nervous about big hospital chains and of things getting lost in the shuffle. So, my plan right now. BCH is not hiring until after the new year, due to the new hospital, and I am going to wait it out for a seemingly interested ICU. Do you know anything of BCH's reputation, if any? Any more information is welcome.

[phatlipboardz]

One thing I will say that if you are moving to Boulder...make sure you have done your homework about the cost of living. I currently live here and the real estate is out of this world. I am just holding onto my place for a little longer then I am out of here. Sure it's pretty but we are jammed in here like sardines...and I am originally from the east coast where it can get a little tight. Everyone has the same idea to "get away" from it all, but it's quickly growing. I haven't really heard that much about BCH being bad, but I do know that they are threatened by some of the areas new hospitals. I particularly just enjoy being involved with facilities that are tied in with a lot of research/evidenced based practice. Just my opinion. Good luck.