Local Community Hospital

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi All!

I was hoping someone could enlighten me as to what makes a local community hopsital different than other hospitals?

Thanks for any input!

why does it necessarily have to be a teaching hospital?

if they provide support and adequate time for orientation, is that enough?

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Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to answer this post. My meeting was on April 11th and went very well. When the director and manager asked why I wanted to work at a community hospital, I gave several reasons including the ones you all pointed out. They were VERY impressed with my answer and the director actually said that normally when she asks this question she just gets a blank stare and "uhh because it's my community." My meeting ended up being an interview and lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. I was prepared for it, dressed properly, brought a folder w/ resume, cover letter, and references, and was ready to answer all their questions.

They told me to keep in touch and let them know when I pass the boards! I REALLY hope that when I call, they are still interested. Thank you again for your input....it really made all the difference in my interview!

Sincerely,

Sam

PS. I don't believe it's a teaching hospital. But they said I'd get 12 weeks of orientation. Any input on that? I know some of you said it NEEDS to be a teaching hospital.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Oncology, Progressive Care.

All community hospitals are different. I have worked at a few different community hospitals. My current hospital is a level I trauma hospital and Level III NICU (I believe that is the highest; we are whatever the highest is). We also do CABGs and are magnet so it really just depends. We have also received a lot of awards which isn't typical of a community hospital but they do exist. You just have to look at what they offer. I will say it is by far the best community hospital I have worked at.

12 weeks is a good orientation. Probably the longest you are going to get unless you specialize in ICU/ER as a new grad. Good luck!

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Update:

I GOT THE JOB!! (pending I pass the NCLEX of course)

This was the first job I applied to and only had ONE interview. I live in a difficult area for new grads too.

Thanks again to everyone who responded!

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This hospital is a HCA healthcare facility. any thoughts on that?

I realize I'm a little late to the party :), but I'm surprised no one else commented on the statement above. I wouldn't really consider any HCA facility to be a "community" hospital -- they are a private-for-profit chain. And they don't have a particularly good reputation. There are a number of existing threads here about people's experiences with HCA facilities.

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The DON referred to it as a local community hospital and they do on their website as well.

I accepted the job today. I read the threads on here about how bad HCA facilities are....alot of them focused on understaffing etc. The job I just accepted has a max of 4-6 pts on medsurg for day shift, and 5-7 pts on nights. Also, the turnover rate at this particular hospital is very low. Some nurses have been there for 25 yrs. I am excited and thankful to have a job. I am keeping high hopes about this facility!

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good for you, samantha!!

during orientation, be patient with yourself and take it day by day.

i'm sure you're going to rock this opportunity.

good job.

leslie

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