UMC vs. St. Dominic, Jackson Mississippi

June55Baby · May 31, 2012

I don't know your age or experience, but as a nurse close to retirement, I have wished many times that I had taken the offer from UMC back in the day. They offer excellent benefits and retirement. I work with nurses now who are in their early 40's, have retired and are drawing state retirement from UMC and working elsewhere.

amandagayle · May 31, 2012

I am a new grad (ADN), 31 years old. I have NICU at UMC or med-surg at St. D. I love the scheduling at St D its 12 hour days, 3 days a week, Mon-Fri. But the pay is a little more at UMC but the schedule is every other weekend and some nights. So it's going to come down to overall experience of work environment I guess. I have no idea what I want to do!!!

June55Baby · May 31, 2012

Oh my, NICU is my first love, so there would be no question there. I have worked every other weekend and nights as well and now work straight M-F. Also, it's 2 totally different environments.

You are right, you're gonna have to decide what's works best for you. The beauty of nursing is that if you find after a few months that the job you choose is not a good fit you can move on.

amandagayle · May 31, 2012

So working both schedules, do you have any preference one over the other? Also can you tell me any good and bad things about NICU?

June55Baby · May 31, 2012

as far as schedules, working 12 hr weekends, you miss parties, cookouts, kid’s ballgames etc but you have time off during the week for dr appts, grocery shopping, class parties and field trips. weekends/nights all the "suits" are at home and there are fewer surgeries, diagnostic tests etc. during the week there are management folks nosing around, lots of visitors, x-ray, cath lab, etc etc. so it's a trade off. nowadays, so many people work weekends and nights that you don’t feel all alone in doing so.

i will be prejudice because i love nicu. it is a place of unspeakable joy and overwhelming sadness, but fortunately the sadness is very rare and the joy awesomely frequent. it's a place where teenie, tiny babies survive and thrive, esp at umc where you will be on the cusp of all the new procedures and technology. it is a place where you can make a difference for a person's lifetime. i still have mamas of 20 yr olds meet me in the mall and thank me for caring for their baby. not a single patient i cared for in the 4 yrs i worked med/surg ever did that.

just know that wherever you choose to work, you make your decision, go with it, and never look back. you can be a great nurse and make a difference any place you practice.

June55Baby · Jun 8, 2012

Hey, Amandagayle, I was curious to find out what you decided? Did you go with St. D or UMC?

amandagayle · Jun 11, 2012

St D due to schedule and the negatives I hear about UMC layoffs and bad morale. I take boards Saturday.

June55Baby · Jun 11, 2012

Well, I think you have thought it through, weighed it out, and made the right decision for yourself! Best wishes on boards and your new job!

geminiLPN-2bRN · Aug 16, 2012

I worked at UMC for 10 years same unit loved it. I have never worked at St D before but I have been a patient there and would choose UMC any day because I know my nurses. Yes UMC has had layoffs but no more nursing layoffs especially since they are still hiring. I love my docs they are great to work with.

vanillavirtue · Sep 14, 2012

I have job offers at both UMC and St D and was wondering if anyone had ever worked at either or both and had any opinions on work environments.

I've heard negatives about both UMC and St. Domonic. I have heard a surgeon say don't let the cross outside of St. Domonic fool you, there are some viscious people who work there. Also, I have a sister who works at UMC, and she said that there is a revolving door at UMC, and the reason why they have so many openings, is because people quit there frequently. Some people can't tolerate working there. Also, with the EPIC (electronic records system), everyone has to get on board and go through the training and pass certain tests. If they can't pass the tests, they could possibly get layed off. Anyway, I think you were in a catch 22 with having to choose between St. Domonic and UMC, because they both have their negatives. Also, one of my sister's friends worked in the NICU at UMC, and she was stressed out all the time and plus she had crazy schedules. A lot of the babies are drug babies on the NICU floor, and they cry constantly because of withdrawal symptoms. You see some sad situations on the NICU floor especially at UMC.

FLMSRN · Sep 24, 2012

I worked at St D. for 3 yrs in ICU. Loved every min. Great organization to work for. Great people as well. My career path lead me to other things, or I would still be there. Nothing bad to say...at ALL!