What are some of the nicer hospitals in twin cities?

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Apr 9, 2006

Plus Anoka Metro RTC is always looking for psych nurses.

Yes they are. I looked into it a while back and was surprised at the pay.... it was lower than I thought it should be. Has it improved?

Pbelle · Apr 19, 2006

Yes they are. I looked into it a while back and was surprised at the pay.... it was lower than I thought it should be. Has it improved?

I did my LPN psych rotations there, and was NOT impressed with the staff there, other than one RN who was wonderful - truly cared about the patients, and taught me a lot about psych nursing. My impression of most of the staff I saw were that they were there for the state employee pay and benefits - they treated the patients very poorly, IMHO. I compared that experience with how the staff at HCMC's psych nurses treated the patients when I did my RN psych rotation there this past winter - totally different - seemed to truly care about their patients - they're county employees, also with great pay and benefits. One of my former coworkers at a GI practice worked at AMRTC, and left after 4 months - she had the same opinion as I did of the staff.

Just my 2cents on AMRTC.

I've finished up my rotations at HCMC, and while I enjoyed my time there (second time around, since I did NTSU, MICU and Burn there as an LPN), I'm not going to pursue a job there this fall - after the 2 murders in the area in the past 3 weeks, I'm going to stick closer to the north side - what does anyone hear about Mercy/Unity, or Methodist?

North Memorial is a great hospital - I used to work for the GI docs who practice out of there, and the nurses in the Endo unit were wonderful! Plus they're in the process of building a new hospital in Maple Grove, which I think opens in 2007/08 (?)

Oh yeah, why should I join a union, when they spend money from me on supporting politicians I don't agree with? Can I get some of my money back from the union? If anyone has info on that, I'd appreciate it. I hear a lot of negative things about joining a union, and that if you decide not to, the nurses on your unit will make life a living hell for you. Any experience with that?

Thanks!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Apr 20, 2006

Oh yeah, why should I join a union, when they spend money from me on supporting politicians I don't agree with? Can I get some of my money back from the union? If anyone has info on that, I'd appreciate it. I hear a lot of negative things about joining a union, and that if you decide not to, the nurses on your unit will make life a living hell for you. Any experience with that?
Thanks!

The reason to join the union is so that you have an organized voice advocating on your behalf with management. If you are not in agreement with a political position that your union is taking it is your responsibility to attend meetings and express your opinion. As far as hearing negative things about the union consider the source. I think that you have to balance out the benefits. I think that you are better off being a full member for the simple reason that it will maximize the direct benefits of membership to you. By being a full member you have the right to vote on contract proposals as well as shape other positions taken by the local. As a democratic organization the local is run by the people who show up.

It is my understanding that in general most labor political advocacy is paid for with PAC money that is based on voluntary contributions by members.

Pbelle · Apr 20, 2006

I've negotiated contracts with the NHL, ESPN and other professional sports organizations, so I don't see why I should pay someone to do that for me - I'm able to do that for myself. Having been in management, I have a good idea of what its like to be on both sides of the employment fence. Believe me, being a manager isn't all glory - it's hard work, and the pay frequently is less than you'd think.

As for expressing my political position at a meeting, I would imagine, based on literature I've read from the nurses union, that my views wouldn't be appreciated, nor would I receive any of my dues back if I asked.

A good friend of mine is a union member (not the nurses, one at Honeywell), and if it wasn't for the union, they'd have been fired years ago. If he doesn't want to go into work, he just doesn't show up - and the union backs him up. "Don't worry about your co-workers having to take up the slack, that's management's problem". Its amazing that anything gets done there. Even his wife has said that if it wasn't for the union, he'd be gone.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Apr 20, 2006

I've negotiated contracts with the NHL, ESPN and other professional sports organizations, so I don't see why I should pay someone to do that for me - I'm able to do that for myself. Having been in management, I have a good idea of what its like to be on both sides of the employment fence. Believe me, being a manager isn't all glory - it's hard work, and the pay frequently is less than you'd think.
As for expressing my political position at a meeting, I would imagine, based on literature I've read from the nurses union, that my views wouldn't be appreciated, nor would I receive any of my dues back if I asked.
A good friend of mine is a union member (not the nurses, one at Honeywell), and if it wasn't for the union, they'd have been fired years ago. If he doesn't want to go into work, he just doesn't show up - and the union backs him up. "Don't worry about your co-workers having to take up the slack, that's management's problem". Its amazing that anything gets done there. Even his wife has said that if it wasn't for the union, he'd be gone.

Point 1: Negotiations are done on behalf of the work group NOT just the individual. The emphasis is on improving the overall conditions for all members not just parochial interests.

Point 2: Unions are small d democratic organizations. Healthy organizations need a diversity of opinions. I may not agree with your viewpoint but I certainly owe you the respect of listening to you. I know from other posts that you are a believer in the Republican version of reality. That does not mean I cannot listen to or respect your viewpoint. (Although frankly and honestly I cannot imagine why anyone who works for a living would want to vote for a corporatocracy that is doing everything possible to cut employee wages and benefits to a level comparable to India or China.) But you do have a right to vote against your own social and economic interests.

Point 3: There are slackers in every organization. SL, Vac, PTO are negotiated benfits. If your "friend" is using his benefits appropriately the union has an obligation to represent him.

Pbelle · Apr 20, 2006

Although frankly and honestly I cannot imagine why anyone who works for a living would want to vote for a corporatocracy that is doing everything possible to cut employee wages and benefits to a level comparable to India or China

Hey! That sounds like the Democrats! :>) Except they love to tax tax tax to death anyone who is successful. Except themselves of course. Just ask Ted Kennedy...

You are aware that both India and China also have booming economies, just like we do. In fact China is slated to surpass the US eventually. Once the old Communists die, that country's economy will be incredible. Just like Cuba's will be once El Commandante finally dies.

Capitalism is a good thing - it encourages people to make the most out of their lives, and not depend on the government for everything. Look at post Soviet Russia. The people who are making the most money and are the most successful are those who saw an opportunity (in wireless communications, restuarants, etc) and ran with it.

Pbelle · Apr 20, 2006

Opps, almost forgot. John is taking advantage of his benefits, the union knows this, and they back him up.

Some animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.....

HM2VikingRN, RN · Apr 20, 2006

Never said that capitalism was bad or that working for goals was a bad thing. What I said was that unregulated capitalism may not be compatible with democracy or a social contract. As deregulation of the economy has proceeded in the interests of prosperity, wages have stagnated and costs increased. Is the economy really booming when the new jobs that are created pay less both in real terms and in employee benefits?

HM2VikingRN, RN · Apr 20, 2006

Opps, almost forgot. John is taking advantage of his benefits, the union knows this, and they back him up.
Some animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.....

nice orwell quote...

glb1960 · May 10, 2006

I work on the University campus for Fairview and find that it is a good place to work. This side is the non-union side, but I feel that there is no treatment issues and our pay is based on the MNA contract. There are few shifts when nurses are not needed, probably a few more when you are asked to pick up extra (where don't they!). Being located within a university setting, there is a lot of security around and college age kids. Parking is a pain, but not unmanagable. There are many opportunities for new grads in this HUGE organization. They provide extensive educational training opportunities, if you are intrested. For example, they are currently offering a preioperative nurse course where you are paid while traing in classroom and hands on for a couple of months. Of course they expect a 1 year commitment for their investment. Alos, I was just APON trained, by them, for my job. That was a 2 day training session with a test at the end, with my wages paid and registration as an APON nurse. There is tiution reimbursement, student loan repayment programs, and $500 continuing ed dollars every year.

I have gone on too long, so I'll stop. Fairview has many hospitals, clinics and campuses with at least DOZENS of openings, so if you are looking, give them a call or stop in. If you have more questions, email me and we can talk.

I am NOT a recruiter, just a floor nurse that works there.

Pbelle · May 18, 2006

I work on the University campus for Fairview and find that it is a good place to work. This side is the non-union side, but I feel that there is no treatment issues and our pay is based on the MNA contract. There are few shifts when nurses are not needed, probably a few more when you are asked to pick up extra (where don't they!). Being located within a university setting, there is a lot of security around and college age kids. Parking is a pain, but not unmanagable. There are many opportunities for new grads in this HUGE organization. They provide extensive educational training opportunities, if you are intrested. For example, they are currently offering a preioperative nurse course where you are paid while traing in classroom and hands on for a couple of months. Of course they expect a 1 year commitment for their investment. Alos, I was just APON trained, by them, for my job. That was a 2 day training session with a test at the end, with my wages paid and registration as an APON nurse. There is tiution reimbursement, student loan repayment programs, and $500 continuing ed dollars every year.
I have gone on too long, so I'll stop. Fairview has many hospitals, clinics and campuses with at least DOZENS of openings, so if you are looking, give them a call or stop in. If you have more questions, email me and we can talk.
I am NOT a recruiter, just a floor nurse that works there.

Thanks for the info G, I appreciated your help!

veronica butterfly, ADN, RN · Jun 20, 2006

Hello, everyone!
I am graduating from my ADN program this May and plan to move to Twin Cities afterwards. I have heard about the hardships of finding a job for new grads there, but I just absolutely love the area! I do have some experience working in acute care as an LPN, and hope it might help to find a job. My question is: which hospitals have good reputation among nurses and which don't? Are there any places I should absolutely avoid?
Thank you!

AVoid all Beverly nursing homes...... and The Colony in Eden Prairie