America's Best Hospitals: 2009-10

I'm sorry - I don't consider a keychain 'recognition', and I'll hardly be thankful if my hospital ever gives me one.

Give me a buck an hour raise - I'll take that without complaint. And I'm the last person you'll hear complaining about pay in general.

We got beach towels for Nurse's Week - it may border on a bit lame, but at least it's a useful item. And they're actually quite nice! But a keyring that cost the hospital about twenty cents from some mass order firm? Not hardly. Actually, a keyring seems a bit insulting to me.

I also this in the health.usnews.com. John Hopkins Hospital was recognized in bringing best for their patients.

I worked in one (Barnes) and had a family member as a patient in another (UPENN). I have worked in about 50 different hospitals through travel assignments and registry work. The top 10 hospitals and some magnets stand out HUGE in my experience. Intelligent docs who are present, nurse autonomy, common sense, support of continuing education, a ton of resources. Less back biting and wasting of time doing things that don't make a difference. I also have to agree with Obama on his speech about health care about a week ago when he stood with the group of nurses supporting health care reform, he gave the example of the Mayo Clinic knowing how to manage chronic illness. He said the mayo clinic managed the sickest of the sick and had all the resources and technology, but their cost of managing these illness were actually lower than anywhere else. Example-the diabetic with peripheral vascular disease who went to the mayo was able to keep their leg as opposed to having a 10,000 dollar surgery for amputation by a hospital that wasn't as savvy at treating the condition.

I have 19 years at Mayo. Staffing ratios- two thumbs way up, but this may change as everyone is looking for ways to tighten the belt. True self scheduling--- gone. Wages and benefits are very good. Management is hit or miss which I believe is typical anywhere, they have jobs to protect, too. The doctors are very good here. I find the consultants easy to work with and very knowledgeable except when it comes to what nurses actually do. This is a teaching facility so it can be exasperating at times. Nothing like arguing with a first year resident that a high dose of lasix just won't fix that low urine in your septic pt at three o'clock in the morning. On the other hand, the new docs usually are up on the latest research. Mayo has scaled back tution reimbursement but they still encourage continuing ed. Nursing research here could be better. Mayo is the largest employer in the city of Rochester. That said, everybody and his brother is a doctor or nurse. Women outnumber the men 3 or 4 to one so bring a spouse from somewhere else. Yes, winter can be very cold here and it is not uncommon to NOT see the sun for 30 days in a row. By the by, the arizona and florida locales are not the same as Mayo, Rochester. They have pay scales and benefit packages that are befitting of the area they have to operate in. In summary, I am glad that I got a job at Mayo and I have never wanted to work anyplace else.

Methodist IS a Magnet hospital and does have amazing nurses (I'm biased). It would have been nice for USN &WR to talk a little more about the nursing care at each of these facilities.

My experience working as a nurse at #9 and #21 were good. I don't remember any negative experiences while working at either hospital. I was a travel nurse at #21, and a part time nurse at #9.
9 Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis
21 Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus

No FL hospitals?

....i saw this article in internet... but in what category they are best exactly? - nursing care, doctors, lots of facilities or values of units...?

It seems that you are being awfully judgemental to some of these responses. Have you been a nurse very long? Experienced a wicked bout of burnout and a bit of disgust? Or, are you a fairly new grad- all bright eyed and bushy tailed? Some of us are just flawed, and sometimes feel a little disappointed when times are difficult- are we not allowed to complain? Should we ALL just get out?