Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

Mar 02, 2008 09:18 AM

by Qtp2t RN

Hi all,

Can anyone provide any information at all about Capital Health System's orientation or new grad pay rate, or even about the work environment? Information about either the Fuld or Mercer campus would be helpful. I'm aware that CHS is Magnet certified and in a not so nice area. Ideally, I would really like to get in as a GN in Helene Fuld's Trauma Center. Both campuses are soooo close to home for me, but I can't seem to find any information at all for new grads that's not out of date. I won't graduate from my BSN program until September 2008 but the time's approaching quickly to begin applying for jobs.

Thank you in advance to anyone who is able to provide any info whatsoever.

~Cathy

jenn_rn_nj · Mar 02, 2008, 09:45 AM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

hello -

right now the new grad rate is $26.10 an hour plus 12% shift diff for 2nd & 3rd shift. they don't hire GN - you can start after you pass your boards as an RN. i want to say the ED training is 12 weeks but that does not include triage or trauma...i think you have to be there 6mos-1yr to be triage trained then trauma training follows that after a certain period of time (certain classes need to be taken to do triage and trauma).

both hospitals are in questionable areas of town...fuld has better security than mercer imho (r/t crisis unit). fuld has better parking than mercer; parking is free for both facilities, though - you have to take a shuttle if you work days at mercer. clients at both facilities are similar and very diverse, but i think that's pretty much like any hospital.

hope that helps.

cheers

aeronursenj · Mar 19, 2008, 05:28 AM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

I have worked at both campuses now and can say that rn2be is right for the most part. They have hired people for the STU, ICU and the ED, but to get into the actual trauma bays, you have to have the experience and the certifications (acls, bls and they do prefer pals althought not mandatory). Good luck and hope to see you around.

NJNursing · Mar 21, 2008, 06:37 PM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

I have done clinicals at both hospitals. I personally think that Fuld's ICU/CCU/Trauma units are really good, but Mercer has the boat on Peds and Maternity. Yes, both are in very questionable portions of town. My husband used to work at Fuld and it was common that people had their cars broken into. When I was doing clinicals at Mercer, one of my classmates went back to her car and there were 2 bullet holes in the driver side doors. The clientele is diverse, but it's an urban setting, so you often get lower class clients and Mercer is constantly running in the red because they take on so many patients without insurance. That's one of the prime reasons they're closing Mercer and building the new hospital up near Hopewell. Most of my classmates who started at either campus have since moved on to other hospitals because of the staffing ratios. You can try Robert Wood Johnson, I just left there, so my job is open in ortho/neuro. You can also try St. Mary's in Langhorne or Lower Bucks near the Oxford Valley Mall.

Good luck!

Qtp2t RN · Mar 24, 2008, 09:23 AM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

Thank you all for your replies. I realize that I'm most likely going to have to start in the ED no matter which hospital I end up working for. I wasn't aware that NJ no longer recognized GNs, though. That sets me back a bit. Now, do any of you know whether or not NJ hospitals will hire an individual as a nursing student, contigent upon their passing NCLEX within a specified number of days after graduation? Obviously the individual would not begin working until after receiving the RN designation. I know that this could be different for each hospital, but CHS in particular. I'd really like to have a position lined up prior to graduation. My accelerated program does not allow time for students to work while in school, so the possibility of continuing on unemployed for months while looking for a job after graduation really frightens me.

Originally Posted by NJNursing

You can try Robert Wood Johnson, I just left there, so my job is open in ortho/neuro. You can also try St. Mary's in Langhorne or Lower Bucks near the Oxford Valley Mall.

Thank you for the other suggestions, as well, NJNursing. I've been looking into these hospitals. They're all so close to home for me. Wishing you the very best of luck in your new position!

~Cathy

aeronursenj · Mar 24, 2008, 02:35 PM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

Yes they do. Once you graduate you go to HR and see what is open. And they set up a time frame for you to take your boards. Until that time you do your orientation and follow your preceptor. However you DO NOT do as much as what you would if you already have your license. Then when you pass, the job is yours and you would of already of done the orientation and stuff. Good luck.

NJNursing · Mar 24, 2008, 05:50 PM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

Yes they'll hire you pending passing the NCLEX. I chose to do an internship which is basically the understanding of being a nurse pending the outcome of your boards but most hospitals start hiring for that between January and March, so by now most are probably full. Good luck!

jenn_rn_nj · Mar 24, 2008, 05:59 PM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

RWJ Hamilton is not yet accepting applications for their internship program.

From what I've heard, they will not be opening up the submission of resumes or doing interviewing until April...or until it is posted on their website. Supposedly RWJH and Princeton both hire 10 new grads in an "intern" position pending the passage of boards. You are guaranteed a job after successful completion of the internship, but not guaranteed a specific unit. I believe the intern program is 12 weeks in duration.

Princeton is currently accepting applications and interviewing for their internship program.

I think CHS might be a little bit tougher to get into as a new graduate from an outside institution because they have their own nursing school. A large portion of their own graduates work there. But that's just my

chowlover · Mar 24, 2008, 07:14 PM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

Hi! I am new to this forum. I am a graduate of CHS- Mercer Campus. This was back in the early 70s, & the school was called' Mercer Hospital School of Nursing' It's wild to hear folks talk about my old alma matter.

aeronursenj · Mar 25, 2008, 04:41 AM

Re: Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

No, they do take all nurseing graduates. I did not graduate from their program and had no problem getting a job. They have ALOT of openings. Just go to their web-site and see.

Aeronursenj

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Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

Capital Health System - Fuld & Mercer Campuses

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