opinions on seattle hospitals

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 30, 2008

Hello,

I moved your thread to the Washington Nurses forum for a better response.

Good luck.

stellasaurus · Jan 31, 2008

I'm just about to start nursing school--so I can't give you the true inside scoop. However, I have worked in (non-nursing) or been in each of the hospitals you mention. Here are my thoughts:

1. Harborview: Fast-paced + downtown location--has had some security issues; best trauma care in the state; incredibly well-respected burn unit; affiliated with the UW.

2. Swedish: This is the place to be for OB-GYN; well-respected hospice/home care service; also located downtown but not as fast-paced.

3. Northwest: North of downtown; much slower paced; just ticked off a group of anesthesiologists (that was in the news).

Good luck to you!

twantland · Jan 31, 2008

Thanks for your reply. I have been trying for weeks on several sites to get someone to give me a little info and opinions and you are the first to respond. Thanks so much and good luck.

whiskeygirl, LPN · Feb 5, 2008

I have no opinions about the hospitals you listed but I will offer a positive opinion on Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland.

The people are nice the hospital is going through some transformations expanding and adding. Parking has always been an issue in the hospitals I have worked at till now and they are adding more. I like all but one anesthesiologist. I have only had casual communication with physicians but ALL were engaging!

I am not sure why you needed the opinions (ie. work or personal) or where you will be living. I like Evergreen because it's away from Seattle but being that I live on the SouthEast side it takes me over an hour to drive 30 miles. So pick a place that is CLOSE or you could be spending 10+ hours in the car every week. Good luck!

babyNP., APRN · Feb 11, 2008

Haven't been to Northwest, but I've done clinicals at Swedish and work at Harborview.

Swedish = Better pay, bigger rooms, generally "nicer" looking

Harborview = Very busy, sees all the "worst of the worst" cases from WA, AK, ID, and MT, but very well-respected in its social justice mission (just won an international award for its commitment to serving the homeless).

I'm biased, I'll say it, I like Harborview. But my interest is in the ICU (specifically trauma), so this is a better place for me.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 12, 2008

harbor view is the regional trauma center, so choose that if you're interested in trauma. they also get more of an "inner city" patient population than your other choices. they're the county hospital, so they can't turn folks away like swedish can. the neighborhood sucks, though. there are some safety issues. they're also associated with the university of washington medical center -- the residents travel through "harbor zoo" as we called it.

then there's the uw -- a major teaching hospital. and a really nice neighborhood, too. we could look out the window on one side and see the boats going through the ship canal, and lake washington was on the other side. plus you get to use the imc to work out, can check out canoes and kayaks at the waterfront activities center and get a break on tuition at the uw, if any of that interests you.

my husband was a patient at swedish -- they were very nice to him and the food was great. it's downtown on "pill hill", but the neighborhood is a bit better than harborview's. plus you'd be near all sorts of great restaurants that deliver. my only problem with swedish was that they make (or did at that time) their nurses wear all white. i turned down a job there just because of that.

northwest is a smaller community hospital -- nice if that's what you want. i always went for the big teaching hospitals. it's on the north side of the city, and housing is somewhat more affordable in that area. i lived a bit north of there.

i think a lot is going to depend upon where you live. traffic is a bit heavy there at times, but at the hours you'll be going to work it's not usually a problem. even when i was working nights and going in at 7pm, i was going the opposite direction of most of the traffic.

i loved seattle and miss it like crazy!

Brownms46 · Mar 22, 2008

my husband and I are moving to seattle in about a year. We have narrowed our hospital choices down to Harborview, Northwest, and Swedish. Does anyone have any opinions or experience with any of these facilities? We would really appreciate any elp that someone might be able to give to us. THanks:cheers:

About two years ago I worked as a nurse recruiter, and talked to a number of nurses who worked at many of the hospitals in Seattle. Swedish had the most favorable response from the travelers I talked with. I personally have worked at Northwest on two shifts on two different units. One the worst places I have ever been to, and would never return, nor would I want to be patient there.

I have heard good things about Evergreen too, but Swedish is by far the favorite choice of many.

MegSaid · Aug 27, 2008

my husband was a patient at swedish -- they were very nice to him and the food was great. it's downtown on "pill hill", but the neighborhood is a bit better than harborview's. plus you'd be near all sorts of great restaurants that deliver. my only problem with swedish was that they make (or did at that time) their nurses wear all white.
i loved seattle and miss it like crazy!

swedish definitely does not make their nurses wear all white!! not sure how long ago that was, but not true today!