Advice Please? Moving To New London, CT - hospitals? cost of living? &c?

[jetson]

Thanks in advance for your time and help...

...My wife and I hope to move to New London, CT in the next couple months. I am a newly graduated RN and expect to pass nclex within a few weeks. Ideally, I'd start my RN career on a med/surg unit in a hospital with a well-regarded new-grad program. Although I've worked 6 months as an LPN I'm still pretty green 8}.

Do you have any experience in or knowledge of/New London hospitals? Are you familiar with their reputations, particularly how thorough their new grad programs might be? Looks like there are two - Lawrence & Memorial, New London Hospital. Ballpark wages for a new grad? What's it like to live in New London?

I'd appreciate any and all help or adivce of any kind. t.y., Jetson

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I never worked up that way, I know from rep that L&M isn't that great, I'd also avoid Backus Hospital, recently 'downgraded' their status. I have no idea about New London Hospital. I work w/ nurses who travel > an hour not to work in those 2. Midstate Medical is somewhat close, w/ a GREAT rep, magnet status. New London has a lower cost of living generally along the shoreline, it is big on military , as the nuclear sub base is located next door in Groton. Generally a blue collar, somewhat industrial city

[dsczephyr]

I've commuted and worked in two teaching hospitals and three community hospitals, including two mentioned by GrumpyRN63, and the third being a different magnet hospital. I currently work one at one of those places (not the magnet hospital) and the experience is a positive one. Each of these places were all different from what I would have expected. Some have been good experiences, others not. For myself, I don't go by reputation because change happens, and reputations often don't keep up with the changes.

What I would suggest is waiting until you get here, then ask to shadow at every place you are interested in. If you do, make sure to have a list of qualities that are important to you so you can compare and contrast. Only you can tell if someplace is a good fit for you, or not.

Just my two cents. Good luck to you.

[RN28MD]

L&M is Union and Backus is not. PM if you have more questions I use to work there many yrs ago at L&M.