Can I ask a silly question?

Brownms46 · Jul 27, 2003

I don't this is silly question at all. First Veterans hospital here are to Veterans who have served in the military. It was a good benefit, but one that has been eroded over the years.

There are hospitals that are for profit, and not for profit. There are private hospitals, and they won't even look at you most times without insurance, and or a credit card. There are county hospitals where anyone can go whether you have insurance or not. Some are good, some aren't.

There are state run hospitals...usually for those who have mental health and or physical disability. Some good ..some not. There are military hospitals, that treat military members, veterans, and their dependents. There are also military hospitals, that are trauma centers, where civilians can be taken to also, and later transferred to an appropriate hospital once stable. There are private hospitals that specialize in eating disorders, or rehab, etc.. I would suggest you check out the hospitals where you're going to be, and go from there.

Good luck.. :cool:

fergus51 · Jul 27, 2003

And don't forget religiously based hospitals! There is so much variety in the US! There are hospitals that specialize in just about everything:0

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 27, 2003

Thank you! That's very helpful. How do I know what type of hospital a hospital is? And which one is the one I should be aiming to work at?

Katnip, RN · Jul 27, 2003

And specialty hospitals. There are rehabs, ortho, neuro, and hospitals that specialize in cancer. There are research institutes.

Teaching hospitals also have a large number of physician residents as well as student nurses, Respiratory therapists, etc. Many community hospitals also take on student nurses.

Sometimes, hospitals are a a combination of all the above things.

As for choosing, I'd look at whether you want a specialty, a large hospital, small, city, or more rural area. Some community hospitals have done away with pediatrics and OB because there are other hospitals in the area.

Brownms46 · Jul 27, 2003

Rocknurse most hospitals now have websites that tell all about what services they offer. Even what benefits they offer employees and at times the pay they offer. Just put in a name in search, and you should be able to find them.

Edward,IL · Jul 27, 2003

Check out ownership of the hospital, affiliations, partnerships, sponsorships, etc. These are different types of relationships that hospitals may have with one another, with a large corporate owned chain, a university, etc. This can make a big difference.

There are some hospitals that have an independently owned out-patient surgi-center next door, using a similar or even the same name but is registered seperately, owned seperately, etc. Don't judge a book by it's cover.

One example I can think of, I think this is correct, is the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The clinic is seperate from St. Mary's Hospital.

Check out as best you can the funding of the hospital. Community based public hospitals can be largely funded through a combination of local and state taxes, Medicaid and Medicare, as well as private insurance payments.

Large private university hospitals that are owned by the university can share the benefits of the endowments of the university. In some cases, the hospital has been sold as a seperate entity from the university and managed by a seperate board of directors and management company.

This country is really a mixed bag, with seemingly unlimited allowance for creative organizing/structuring of hospitals/nursing homes/clinics.

Some of the large corporations have been in the news lately for inappropriate billing practices. Check the web sites of Tenet, Healthsouth. Steer clear!

Be careful. Go slow. Do your homework. Don't sign your name to anything that you don't understand until you have had a legal expert review it for you.

Just my humble opinion. Edward, IL

Audreyfay · Jul 28, 2003

In considering a new job, I liked to first of all consider which jobs were in my specialty, then which were in the location I wanted, and then applied for a few that fit the closest criteria. During the first interview, ask for a tour. You will be able to tell a lot just by seeing the facilities and seeing some of the nurses at work! Good luck! Enjoy the variety. It's out there.