Any KY or TN nurses out there?

Hi! I'm currently going to school in the western KY area. I live in a nice town but as far as opportunities go there is only one hospital in the area. It's a nice, fairly large hospital, but it's still the only one. Anyhow, my husband and I were considering moving to either Louisville or Nashville after I graduate and I was wondering from all the KY and TN nurses what you think of the hospitals in the Lou/Nash area? I'd like to know as much as possible...working conditions, opportunities, the area, pay scale etc...

Thanks in advance!

Christy

[nursepotter05, RN]

Hey,

I just graduated nursing school in May. I hope after I get my NCLEX results at the end of this week, I can say I am a nurse. I live in Lafayette, TN. I work at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. I really like Vanderbilt. I have been with them for 2 years. I have never worked at any other hospital, so I don't know anything else. I love the Children's Hospital (peds is my thing) It is a brand new hospital and it is a beautiful facility! I also worked for Vanderbilt Medical Center, as well.

Vanderbilt is a huge facility. One thing I like about it is anything you need is either at your fingertips or there is someone who will get it for you. There is lots of ancillary staff. So, the nurse does not have to do many of the things that you would have to do at a smaller facility. People do not know everybody in the hospital like the do in a smaller hospital. I saw that when I did clinicals at smaller hospitals. Vanderbilt is a great place to advance. There are countless places to transfer to in order to get experience in many different areas if you get bored.

I started the Pediatric Nurse Residency Program today, which is the new grad program at Childrens. The adult hospital has a new grad program, as well. Base pay is $17.25. $1 for critical care areas. $3 for nights and $6 dollars for weekends. The benefits are good at Vandy. After 5 years of employment they pay for 70% of your children's college education, which is a great benefit if you have kids.

There are a lot of other hospitals in the Nashville area, as well. Baptist, St. Thomas, Centennial, Skyline, Summit. There is a lot of opprtunity in the Nashville area because there are lots of hospitals. There are also smaller hospitals on the outskirts of NAshville. Plus, if you move to Tennessee, you wouldn't have to pay state income tax (at least for right now!!)

If you want to send me a private message, feel free.

I hope this helped.

[Sue7573]

I am going to school in west kentucky. I am very interested in the nashville area. I don't want to move from my home town but would like to know about info on working weekends only in memphis or nashville

[SoulShine75]

Hi TNnurse05 and thanks for your reply. My SIL works at Vanderbilt as well. She isn't a nurse, but does DNA sequencing (not quite sure what that is-ha) in the research center. She's always telling me how much she loves Vandy too and always pushing the hospital. Half I think because she really does love it, and the other half because I think she wants us to be closer. :) I went there over the weekend...SIL just had a baby there early Sat. morning so I got to see the facility. It's huge!!! I thought it was very cool how they had the Taco Bell and Ben & Jerry's there. (That's just the kid in me I guess). I love Nashville. Everytime I've been there we've always stayed close to downtown. (Painter's Ally, Adelphia staduim, etc...) It was nice to see a different side of town, although I'm afraid I'd get lost and go mad with all of the construction. I'm definately keeping my options open. I've lived in my hometown all of my life and have a slight fear of change and moving away from my family, but it would only be a couple of hours, not too bad right? Anyhow, thanks a lot for filling me in. The pay sounds pretty good and the benefits sound great too. I have 4 boys. Ages 11, two 9 year olds and a 2 1/2 year old, so that 70% college tuition would come in real handy!!!!!!!

[jasonglh]

You said it was a nice hospital so you must not be in my home town or your just trying to be nice.

[SoulShine75]

Hi Jason. I'm not quite sure what you're referring to, but the hospital in my town is failry large. I think and have been told it's a nice hospital. BUT then again, I haven't worked there, but know people who do. What hospital are you referring to of you don't mind me asking?????

[Student-2008]

Hello from South Eastern Kentucky...I am a student at Hazard Community College...I plan on staying here after I graduate...If all goes well, I will be graduating in 2008.

[jasonglh]

Hi Jason. I'm not quite sure what you're referring to, but the hospital in my town is failry large. I think and have been told it's a nice hospital. BUT then again, I haven't worked there, but know people who do. What hospital are you referring to of you don't mind me asking?????

RMC

The only other one that would be called large in Western KY would be Paducah or Bowling Green.