Kenosha - United Health Systems

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Feb 15, 2009

I am a third level CLC nursing student and I started at United Hosp System Kenosha Campus last summer as a Student Nurse Intern on the Cardiac Step-down Unit (8 Palmer). I live in Illinois and, once I graduate, I can work as Graduate Nurse in WI until I get my NCLEX passed and licensed (unlike IL).

United Hosp System has a good nurse/pt ratio (usually 1:4-5) but has an antiquated computer system (so 80's -but it works) and paper charting. I hear the dental plan sucks and the "tuition reimbursement" is actually your committment to 1/2/3/4 years at $1500 bonus per yr. If you quit before that time you must pay the bonus back plus interest. They do not offer AD to BSN or BSN to MS for that matter, unlike Condell and Lake Forest.

I do not know what the pay grade is for Graduate Nurses (did you take your NCLEX yet?). We just rec'd a letter today from the head honchos assuring us, during this time economic downfall, that United is healthy and growing - no layoffs in the works at all! Although I do hear that WI pays less than IL - but, on the other hand, when you have a decent nurse/patient ratio (unlike Vista East), I'd rather take United Hosp!

Please let me know what they offer you as a graduate nurse as I am headed in that direction myself...Hope this helps!

Nursing_chick · Feb 16, 2009

Thanks so much for your reply, I'll let you know what I hear after my husband interviews with them on Thursday.

By the way, my husband & I just graduated from CLC this past December, hang in there!! We know the crazy world of CLC land and the world of P.E.'s. Are you days or nights for classes?

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Feb 16, 2009

Good luck on the interview! I am in day section with Deb. I am really loving this semester - I've done SO much during my clnicals at Vista East! I really want to BE The Nurse!

Nursing_chick · Feb 16, 2009

You are actually lucky to do your clinicals as Vista East, while I wouldn't want to work there b/c of the unsafe nursing ratio ... I've heard you get tons of experience. I loved 3rd semester b/c it was all about the disease process, which to me is pretty straight forward. Good luck with the semester!!

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Feb 16, 2009

Yes, and I've been saying that, too...Vista is a GREAT place to learn, but I wouldn't want to work there! However, in ICU it is not so bad (except it is a little cramped) - 2/3 pt per nurse- a friend of mine is looking forward to working there now that she passed her NCLEX. Did you have day or evening classes? You probably know her...

Nursing_chick · Feb 16, 2009

I was in the evening section, I probably do know her ... what was her first name?

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Feb 16, 2009

Her name is Sandra and she was in day section.

Nursing_chick · Feb 17, 2009

I know who she is, but because I was in the night section I didn't really interact with her. I think you are in my friend Jamie's class ... she has clinicals at Vista. Tell her Kathy says hello.

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Feb 17, 2009

Yep, Jaime is in my section! I'd be happy to pass along the "hello"!

Nursing_chick · Feb 23, 2009

I found out that the Aurora Medical Center offers their new grads 22.80 to start, with only a 1.95 differential, there's seems to be no weekend differential ... so I'm making the assumption that UHS is offering around the same for starting pay.

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Feb 23, 2009

Hi Kathy!

Heard you took your NCLEX last week! Hope everything came out shining! How did your husband's interview go?

I know that UHS does not offer weekend pay but, after 40 hours, you earn time a half + 10 bucks per hr. I wonder what the patient ratio is at Aurora? I kinda figured around the $22/hr to start. Thanks for the info!

Boni