Advise Desired for Obtaining Job at Mayo Clinic: Rochester (Soon to be Grad)

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 19, 2012

I worked @ the Mayo as a traveler,

so the experience may be a little different.

Their standards are inflated simply because of the "Mayo" name. I found many nurses and administration to be extremely snooty. They also paid less, because ...they could.

I have worked in many places and I can honestly tell you... the medicine practiced there is no better and.. on occasion worse, than others.

The lobby is beautiful, the rooms were dirty, I would take out trash from patient rooms that was left for 2 days.

I don't want to dash your dreams... but .. sometimes the "name" is not worth it. I won't go back, other travelers have told me the same.

Good luck.

Wreck'em · Mar 2, 2012

Irronically enough, I am currently an ABSN student at the OU program in Duncan.... We graduate in 2 weeks (march 13th i think).... I applied and was offered a job at Mayo in the Neuro/Surgical ICU.... I start july 16th and needless to say I am pretty excited about it... I have been reading everything I can about Mayo and Rochester and can't wait to move there.... How I came to get the job is kind of an unusual tale.... I didn't know anything about Mayo until we were forced to attend the OSNA convention in Norman... Obviously I was impressed by mayo and have always wanted to work in the ICU so I started applying to every Mayo ICU job I could find (probably around november 2011).... They called me, and I did a webcam interview for a position in the Medical ICU.... Unfortunatly they emailed me the very next day and told me I didn't get the job.... So I figured I blew my chances and then I didn't think much about it until about a month ago when they called me for another interview.... this time for a Neuro/Surgical ICU position... Having already gone from thinking I would never work there, to all of a sudden getting a second chance, I was much more relaxed the second time around...... The rest is history..... They called me about a week after I interviewed and offered me the job... Don't know if this info will help you or not, but thought I would share my story anyway.... let me know if you have anymore questions...

Almost Forgot.... I just downloaded a book on my kindle called Managment Lessons from Mayo Clinic.... It is a really good read, and pretty much tells you everything you want to know about working at Mayo.... Only bad thing about it is that it will probably make you want to work there WAY worse that you most likely already do.... Good luck dude...

Columnist · Mar 2, 2012

Moved to MN Nurses for better response.

Scott5383 · Mar 13, 2012

Thanks Wreck'em! Good luck! I hope you enjoy the experience. I appreciate the insight into the interviewing process.

siRNita, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2012

I am going to school in Rochester and do my clinicals at Mayo. I haven't seen/experienced other places, but contrasting my experience with my mom's experience at a different organization, Mayo seems pretty great. They have good nurse/patient ratios (usually 2-4 - depends on the department). It has a whole nursing research department so if that's something you're interested in, it's available. Mayo is very teaching-focused so you get some amazing doctors and some brand-new med students; I have heard it's great for new nurses because of the way they train and preceptor. I've lived in Rochester for almost 3 years. If you need lots of excitement... Rochester is probably not for you, but the Twin Cities are only an hour away. Rochester is pretty mellow - has a great trail system, reasonable number of grocery stores, and some good restaurants. The Mayo hospitals offer first-class, big-city medical experience in a small, nice city.

Mayo loves BSNs so I would think you'd have a good chance, especially if you express your excitement about the organization and if you call them to reiterate your interest.

DuluthMike · Apr 10, 2012

I work at Mayo and it is by and far the best place to work in the country, period. I am almost always 1 to 1. We have RNs on the unit with no assigned patients who simply help those in need. From the surgeons down to the environmental services it is patient focused.

To improve your chances get critical care experence, have a great resume/cover letter, practice your interview and above all else be yourself.

I am a student in the Accelerated BSN program at the University of Oklahoma. I am really interested in obtaining a position in critical care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I don't graduate until the end of July. Does anyone have any suggestions that may improve my chances? Also, my desire is driven primarily by what I have read about the organization. I haven't actually talked to any nurses that work there. I would love to hear the opinion of some Mayo nurses. Is Mayo a good organization to work for? How is Rochester? How is the work environment?
Thanks!!
Scott

hopebewild · Jun 15, 2012

well i started in the cardiac surgical icu here as a new grad so it can be done. an internship (at a different hospital) is what helped me the most i think.

i have worked at 3 other hospitals over the years as a cna and even though they were all good places to work, none can hold a candle to mayo. the support, the training, and the teamwork with all services just can't be beat.

oh and to the one negative post i read- your username is been there done that? to me if you had that attitude at mayo no wonder you didnt have a good experience.

squirtcatt · Jul 4, 2012

There are always good things and bad things about every hospital! I did all my nursing clinicals at Mayo, but ended up working at a hospital an hour away in Wisconsin. But I thank Mayo for the great pay that I was given at the other hospital. Mayo also has hospitals in Scottsdale AZ and Jacksonville, FL, so if you want warmer weather!? Good luck in your adventure!