[Tiny1Nisolet]

Interviewing for my first position, so exciting! I will graduate in May with my BSN. My question is, in the interviews, all of the representatives have really done their jobs well, they decribe their hospital as the ideal place to work. When they speak about their philosophy of nursing and the priorities of the hospital, they fall very much in line with what I believe is important. (family centered care, multidisciplinary teamwork, nursing autonomy)

How do you go about choosing which one is the best? The money is so close and not really my top priority anyway. The most important thing to me is the support, orientation and work environment. I have done shadowing and really liked what I saw in the units.

One of the differences that I have seen so far is that one hospital "claims" that nurses are a really a top priority, they have a 2% hire rate because they are so well staffed. They also "claim" to protect their new nurses making certain that they feel comfortable in all areas and provide a mentor for two years as a "go to" person for any areas of weakness. This SOUNDS very good, but I have also heard that their nurses are not the most friendly.

Any ideas?

I also wanted to add: All are level III NICU's, Two of the hospitals are Children's, Of the two children's hospitals, one is magnet and in the top 10.

[Gompers]

In my opinion...it's the staff that makes a the unit good or bad. Some look good on paper, but when you actually work there, the environment is absolutely toxic.

Is there any way to shadow a nurse on each unit? Spending several hours there observing might help you make up your mind. You'll just feel more comfortable one place as opposed to another, or something about one place will catch your eye while another place might put a bad taste in your mouth.

I know it's not the answer you were looking for, but it's something I think is very important. I know of some area NICUs that have amazing, renovated units, brand new equiptment, high-society families as patients, magnet status, etc...but the nurses are not the nicest people to work with. Then there's my unit - 20 years old, a mix of new and ancient equiptment, no magnet status, not the best pay, etc. - but it's the staff that makes it so great to work there. We work together as a team, and we take darn good care of these babies. We are like a big family, and we treat each other with respect. We welcome new nurses and enjoy training them, making sure to prevent burnout during those first vulnerable years. It's just a really nice group of people to work with, and that's why we put up with it sometimes. Sure, I'd like to be working a little closer to my house, for a little more money, in a really gorgeous NICU - but would I have the same kind of team that I'm used to? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not willing to risk it. When the staff works together like ours does - it's just a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Maybe ask around, see what people have heard about those units? Good luck!

ETA: Sorry, just saw that you did shadow. For how long? A whole shift or just a few hours? It would be nice to do it again, because you can find out what to look for. It's not what the great nurse you're following is showing you - it's what you hear in the break room, locker room, etc. You want to find out what it's like when they're NOT on their best behavior!!!

[Tiny1Nisolet]

Gompers,
Thanks, I knew I could count on you. I was hoping you would respond, I saw you were online at the time I posted.

Your unit atmosphere describes exactly what I am looking for. I want my first experience to be the best, the money and benefits are extra perks as far as I am concerned.

I agree, I think I will try and get on the units one more time. I shadowed a full shift at one hospital, and I am precepting at the other but have not started yet. The third hospital I have to make the appointment to shadow.

Thanks again Gompers, I greatly appreciate it!

[Gompers]

I'd stay away from the hospital where you heard the nurses aren't very nice. In my experience, those kind of rumors get started for a reason.

When you are precepting, see if there are any NICU agency nurses working on the unit. They are often great sources of information, since they do shifts in many different units and can tell you what kind of climate each has.