RN's in private clinics (montreal)...

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 14, 2005

I would guess that they will not have unionized nurses. Having to pay union wages, provide union benefits and follow union regulated hours of work would eat into their profits too much. I started out my career working for a private agency (Olsten Kimberley Quality Care... only job I could get in 1994) who paid me about $5 less per hour than the lowest paid unionized hospital nurses were getting, while billing the client for $8-10 more per hour more. I had no benefits... not a one. And I had no guarantee of hours. It was all casual work. They'd call me as I was sitting my family down to supper and ask me to work a 12 hour night at a facility more than an hour away. I'd have to really think long and hard before I would even apply for a position with a private surgical centre. My best advice is to investigate all the angles before committing yourself to anything.

Missa · Feb 15, 2005

Hi there!

I worked at a private clinic for about a year. I left the hospital for a change in scenery and went running back a few months ago. I hated the private for-profit clinic. The work was dead easy and the daytime weekday hours were nice, but I was constantly being told what to do ("Go take that person's blood, then go do his stress test, then go wipe the counters"). I couldn't think for myself at all. This was a very difficult adjustment coming from a busy ICU.

Also, I found that my values clashed with the values of the organization. I went in to nursing because I genuinely care about people. This particular for profit organization cared about nothing but the bottom line.

Finally, the pay was about 5$ less/hour than being unionized at the hospital.

I am so, so happy to be out of there. Ugh!

beausud · Feb 16, 2005

Hi there!
I worked at a private clinic for about a year. I left the hospital for a change in scenery and went running back a few months ago. I hated the private for-profit clinic. The work was dead easy and the daytime weekday hours were nice, but I was constantly being told what to do ("Go take that person's blood, then go do his stress test, then go wipe the counters"). I couldn't think for myself at all. This was a very difficult adjustment coming from a busy ICU.
Also, I found that my values clashed with the values of the organization. I went in to nursing because I genuinely care about people. This particular for profit organization cared about nothing but the bottom line.
Finally, the pay was about 5$ less/hour than being unionized at the hospital.
I am so, so happy to be out of there. Ugh!

thx for your reply... i guess its not for everyone. do you think that most of the for profit clinics (in montreal) are simillar in how they operate w/ respect to how the doc's treat their nurses?.. anyone else have good/bad experiences w/ this new service? :)