Dallas, TX- Baylor or Parkland?

It would depend on what you are looking for.

Parkland is a county hospital with a world class rep. If you what to learn hard core nursing, then this is the place to go. Not a designer hospital and a lot of poor clientele. What you will learn in two years there, might take 5-10 elsewhere. Plus, you can write your ticket anywhere else if you have Parkland on your resume.

Baylor is more of an upper crust type of environment. There is a saying around here about the Baylor Hospitals: "It's the Baylor Way or the Highway." My BIL works for them in recruiting, so I do know some insider things; but, as a nurse, you can thrive if you fit the mold. You will learn a lot if you are going to Big Baylor (Dallas); but, the other Baylors are more like a community hospital with all the politics that go along with small town thinking. I did clinicals at their (Big Baylor) NICU and enjoyed it. You will get congierge services and great dining options at Baylor, where the most gourmet thing you will find at Parkland is a Big Mac.

Why don't you take a weekend and come to Dallas to just look around at both hospitals, then decide.

Howdy ya'll!

I've been lurking on this wonderful site for some time now, but I need some help! I have received offers from both Parkland and Baylor University Medical Center for their January 2010 new grad internships in the NICU. I am so excited as this is my dream job! However, being from Houston, I don't know much about these hospitals other than the experience I had during interviews. I got great vibes from both, so I am having a hard time choosing which one to go with. If it were up to me, I would do both!

Does anyone have any opinions on either of these hospitals? Benefits? Education? Internship program? their NICU's?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TIA!

I recently accepted a position at Baylor for their January internship. What won me over was how warm and friendly all the staff nurses were when we were touring the unit. I felt really comfortable asking questions and the nurse manager was great as well. I like how the unit is set up, and I feel that I will be supported as a new nurse when I get off orientation. I heard several nurses say that they always have lots of help, and it gets there before they even have a chance to ask.

Good luck with your decision!