New Grad Moving to Great Falls

I'm also moving to Great Falls in June. I applied to a couple of positions there, but no one has called yet. Have you gotten a position there or found out any more information about Benefis and new grads? Thanks!

Julie

I worked at Benefis for >6 years and left in 2006. Nothing much changes in small towns, even though it is Montana's largest hospital.
If you can honestly stay out of the politics of the place, it is a great place to work for. The hierarchy gets a little over-whelming some days. Someone is related to someone everywhere and there are no nepotism rules for any department.
I never worked L&D, always wanted a patient I could see...lol. So, I can't be much help there.

Almost every unit tries to work 12 hr shifts, but some managers work with you and your needs, which is great.
It is most definately a "patient centered" philosophy for nursing expectations. It is what "drives" the management...which was just fine for me, as I prefer this type of service delivery for nursing.
They will fill your days, nights, weekends and days off with this and that committee or xtra work if you let them.

I really enjoyed working there. The unit where I worked was truly a "family" feeling. Some of the people I still keep in contact with there were just like family....most of us where a cohesive group that truly cared about each other and got along well. If I were to go back, I would.

Best of luck...and keep us posted on what happens.

I'm actually moving there from Las Vegas, NV. It sounds like a great hospital, I wasn't really worried about that though. Are there enough nurses to fill their open positions, and do they hire new grads? That's my main concern, because if I don't get hired there I'm not sure what else I could do as a new grad RN since the next hospital is quite a ways away. Thanks for all the info! I actually did get a call from a nurse recruiter today about an application I put in to ER (or ICU, I'm not sure which one she was calling about). I will let you know how it goes I hope I get a position there, I moved to Las Vegas from Ft. Collins, CO and I am so excited to get back around more honest and down to earth people and away from the city.

No I have just had a bad experience in Vegas Colorado and Iowa before that were amazing...great people! So I have been trying to get ahold of the recruiter that called me but I keep getting voice mail. I left a message on Wednesday and still haven't gotten a call back. I called Thursday and Friday and got voice mail each time. I guess I will hope for a call back tomorrow

The nurse recruiter and I finally got in touch with each other I have an interview with Benefis on June 9, 2009. She explained to me that the interview is actually for the organization as a whole. My resume/application gets forwarded to all the managers and then I have one interview and if I qualify for a position in a certain unit, I am matched with that unit. Sounds good...the less interviews the better
I have another question for you Great Falls residents now...My husband and I are officially going to be there on June 1, 2009, my interview is 9 days later...is it hard to find childcare? I have a 2 1/2 year old and I don't like the whole daycare thing, I would much rather have someone come to my house or take her to a person watching 2-3 kids. Any recommendations? I can't wait to get out there!!! Thanks for all your help guys and girls!

~Julie