I am slated to graduate my ADN program in May 2009, and am beginning to put my feelers out for hospitals and units that I'd like to work in as a new grad. My goal is to be a flight nurse, and know that I need to get both ICU and ER experience. My plan at this point is to tackle the ICU upon graduation as I have been advised by seasoned nurses that I would get a more solid foundation there. Being an EMS provider in central Maryland, I know that there aren't many opportunities in my area to fulfill my dream of flight nursing (the state police handle all medevacs, and they are paramedics not nurses). To get decent ICU experience, I would have to travel into either Baltimore or Washington, DC. I am and always have been a "country girl," and don't see myself working in an inner city hospital.
I have heard many wonderful comments about Hershey Medical Center, but have not talked to nurses who have actually worked there, and have a few questions:
-How is the administration? Are they supportive of nurses?
-How are the opportunities for career growth?
-Is the new-grad program good? Do the nurses who come out of the program stay long-term? Do the new-grads have the support by administration, the education department, and the other nurses on the floor that they need in order to be successful?
-How is the morale among the nursing staff? Are they generally happy with their jobs? Is there "team effort," or is every nurse on their own?
-I will be moving away from where I grew-up for the first time, and I have no idea what the quality of the area surrounding Hershey is. Are the neighborhoods safe? Any areas to stay away from?
-Would you recommend a family member to move a significant distance to start their career as a new-grad at Hershey?
I thank you in advance for your help! I have searched allnurses for previous threads, but most of my questions were not answered. Please feel free to PM me if you'd rather not disclose to everyone where you work for HIPAA concerns.
