Positons offered from 2 Hospitals

Loyola in Maywood and Good Sam in Downer's Grove?

Which units? Where do you live? What are the hours? Do they both offer new grad orientation?

I left the area a few years ago, (Joliet) so I'm not up on the latest with these facilities. But in general, I would avoid rotating shifts like the plague, and would lean towards a facility that offers a new grad program. Also, Good Sam is in a better area, especially if you will be coming or going at night.

Did you do clinicals at either facility? Shadow at either place? What are the nurse patient ratios like? And the deal breaker for me is this: What is the ratio of experienced staff (2 years or more on that unit) to inexperienced nurses on the shift(s) you will be working? Anything less than 50% experienced staff is unacceptable to me, and I would not take an offer. If they can't retain experienced staff, you probably don't want to be there, either.

It surprises me that Loyola doesn't have a new grad program. They used to, and must have stopped it, for some reason. Hopefully not due to budget cuts.

Good luck!