[Carefaith]

I will be graduating this week and was offered a position at Loyola University Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital. I would like to know anyones experiences at either hospital, and pros and cons on each. I want to work at a hospital that will support and work with me as a new RN. Pay and benefits are not much off from one another. Please help ASAP.

[Jolie]

Loyola in Maywood and Good Sam in Downer's Grove?

Which units? Where do you live? What are the hours? Do they both offer new grad orientation?

[Carefaith]

Telemetry, the drive is not an issue, Loyola will be rotating shifts and Good Sam has not told me the shift yet still trying to work that out with current staff changes, Loyola doesn't offer a new grad program but Good Sam does.

[Carefaith]

Yes, Loyola in Maywood and Good Sam in Downers.
Both are Telemetry
Loyola would be rotating shifts
Good Sam has yet to confirm shift b/c current staff changes
The drive isn't an issue
Good Sam offers new grad program Loyola doesn't

[Carefaith]

Both are Telemetry
Yes Good Sam Downers and Loyola Maywood
Loyola will be rotating shift and Good Sam has yet to get back to me b/c changes with current staff
The drive isn't an issue Loyola is only 10 miles past Good Sam
Good Sam offers a new grad program Loyola doesn't.
Loyola stated they are a teaching Hospital and have done well without a new grad program. Retention rate is 80% for the first 2 years. I forgot to ask Good Sam their retention rate.

[Jolie]

I left the area a few years ago, (Joliet) so I'm not up on the latest with these facilities. But in general, I would avoid rotating shifts like the plague, and would lean towards a facility that offers a new grad program. Also, Good Sam is in a better area, especially if you will be coming or going at night.

Did you do clinicals at either facility? Shadow at either place? What are the nurse patient ratios like? And the deal breaker for me is this: What is the ratio of experienced staff (2 years or more on that unit) to inexperienced nurses on the shift(s) you will be working? Anything less than 50% experienced staff is unacceptable to me, and I would not take an offer. If they can't retain experienced staff, you probably don't want to be there, either.

It surprises me that Loyola doesn't have a new grad program. They used to, and must have stopped it, for some reason. Hopefully not due to budget cuts.

Good luck!