Medical City Dallas Hospital Internship Feb 2013

U.S.A. Texas

Published

I wanted to open this thread for those who applied for the Feb 2013 internship. Questions, comments, ideas, reactions, reviews or anything you can say about Medical City Dallas Hospital are welcome as well.

ohhh, Right, thats the kind of deal i was used to hearing. This is the first time I even hear of the 8 wk stipend program. It just seems odd that there would be no penalty or fine for not applying for full time after 8 wks. I'd love to stay at med city, i wonder if this is their way of weeding people out...Just want to make sure i have a secure job

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I don't think it is their way of wedding you out. It seems a little silly to spend money in orienting someone to a unit and then not bringing them on full-time after that period is over. I think of it more as a time for them to judge your fit into the unit, but also YOU to see how you think you fit into the unit. if you don't like it, then you aren't obligated to stay.

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Weeding* my brain is so up and running this morning.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

It is a way to train new nurses without having to pay them the much higher cost of hourly plus shift diff plus benefits. 2K per month is a huge savings for the hospital. You aren't an employee, they get to "try you out" so to speak - see how you fit in with the unit, see if you are able to actually function as a nurse, see how quickly you learn, how reliable you are, etc, without taking the risk of training you only to discover you aren't really a good investment and without having to offer some of the other legalities if you are not brought on board, such as COBRA or unemployment if you don't work out. You aren't an employee, you are contract labor. If you are invited to sign with them at the end of the internship for full time employment, you agree to reimburse them the cost of the internship if you leave before a set amount of time. In DFW that is usually 2-3 years. This helps ensure they get the cost/benefit ratio in their own favor for having agreed to take you on.

A few years ago this situation would NEVER have been sustainable. Nurses were needed too badly. That the stipend programs have been born and survived is purely a result of too many new grads and not enough jobs. That is something you need to keep in mind as you decide whether to keep applying elsewhere. Just because you can doesn't mean you should and doesn't mean it would not tick someone off. Legally speaking....technically speaking.... you can look all you want. Politically may be a different story. The medical community in DFW is smaller than you might think and if you are lucky enough to be granted an internship, you should recognize there are tons of new grads with their nose to the glass hoping for a chance to get in (take your place) and you should know the hospitals are WELL aware of this. There is no leverage right now for them to be tolerant or forgiving.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If you apply for positions at other HCA facilities, the manager of the unit you are in the internship with will be sent an email stating you are applying elsewhere and asking if there are any reasons you should not be considered for employment. Something to keep in mind.

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I understand what you mean about orienting someone and spending money on them, but to be completely honest the stipend is actually not very much even for a new grad. But youre right it is a good time to see how youd fit on the unit. Thats another one of my concerns. Id love to be where I love my coworkers!

By the way, which one did you get hired for? Good luck on the NCLEX today!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

You are right. It is barely a livable amount. They have no reason to offer more. There are tons of unemployed new grads willing to work for that just for the chance to get a foot in the door. It is what the market bears out.

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Ha. I am one of those she mentioned ^^. Luckily for me, I have no living expenses as my family is in DFW. So I get to take the money and basically help pay or some wedding expenses. And thank you, I take it tomorrow morning, but I'm gladly accepting happy thoughts early. Yesterday, I was siting in the floor crying just because it has been quite overwhelming.

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Yes, not.done.yet. I completely agree with your statements. That makes more sense. Hospitals cannot risk taking these opportunities time is money and they are wanting to make good investments. I think my biggest fear is being there for 8 wks, being worked, with the stipend pay (although a paycheck is better than no paycheck!) and then afraid of being dropped at the end of the program. At least I'd gain an awesome experience though.

Also, thats good to know about the HCA. Luckiliy Medical City is the only one i am interested in. I think hospitals should understand that this is also an investment and a risk for new grads. However, a foot in the door is a foot in the door! thanks for the feedback.

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