anyone been to UCSF or Cottage Hill?

emtneel · Nov 4, 2008

Did you find anything out?

I've never been to San Francisco but have heard from everyone it is beautiful!!

i got a call today about some new pos at UCSF so i'll prob. check it out, so was wondering what you decided?

thanks

Spiderella · Nov 6, 2008

Hey Rachel!

I'm submitted at Cottage Hill too, maybe I'll see you there.

I worked at UCSF last year and it's absolutely amazing. Cutting edge, friendly staff, and you learn so much in every field. It's a teaching hospital...so beware! It has 12 hour shifts, pay is awesome...the only drawback is the parking. It's like $24 in the parking garage for a 12hr night shift---be sure to ask for a parking pass or assigned parking. If not, I suggest taking BART into work, even though that might be kinda stressful in itself.

I took the stipend, lived out in the East bay (Pinole, Hercules), commuted for night shift and made a killing with the COL.

If you want to make extra $$$, be sure to sign up per diem at St. Francis. They pay the most for per diem out of all the hospitals in the Bay ($65-70/hr)

You're right SF is a great place to live. I came out for 13 weeks and ended up staying 2 years. :redpinkhe

wanderlust99 · Nov 6, 2008

The UCSF position didn't work out for me, so I ended up at Cottage Hill. Big mistake! I hate it here. They said it was a teaching hospital...but no, it's like a small community hospital. No residents on floor in my icu. No teamwork on the particular unit I work in. It's horrible! But, maybe I'll end up back in San Fran someday!

The area is ok...sure, pretty beaches, but it's such a small town, I was bored within 2 weeks! It's more of a place you come to on a weekend, then leave.

Spiderella · Nov 6, 2008

Oh wow....:uhoh21:, thanks for the headsup---my recruiter has been talking it up like it's heaven on earth....saying that everyone likes it there and that travelers are treated so well! I'm sorry you're having a rocky start. I'm still tryna get an interview with Tori (Toni??), but I do still have other irons in the fire. I won't start anything until December anyway.

Where are you living? I heard they had some nice luxury apartments less than 2 miles from the hospital. Is it warm? I really need to be warm this winter!

If you have a chance, drive down to check out the Hearst Castle...that should put a smile on your weekend. It's totally amazing I've heard, and it's worth the drive. They have 5 different guided tours, and each one takes almost half a day to complete. That is on my to-do list if I'm ever in that area.

I'll let you know if I make it to Santa Barbara, maybe we can hang out.

wanderlust99 · Nov 6, 2008

Hey spider...yeah my recruiter talked it up too and she doesn't just do that to get me to sign. Maybe on the floors, it's a great place, but not in the SICU. She told me it was a favorite & top choice with her other travelers. You know how units vary, so I don't want to completely discourage you from signing there. Sometimes it's just a bad group of people that make it a bad place to work. I'm just used to more of a high tech larger hospital too.

Housing is hit or miss. If you have a dog you will be in trouble (you will likely be in Ventura which is 45 min away). Some people are like a block from the beach. I'm about 2 miles from the beach in Goleta, it's about 10 miles from the hospital. I hear Carpintera (spelled wrong I'm sure) is really great. Even on craigslist I found some better housing really close to the hospital. I'm trying to make the absolute best of it and I am definitely planning a trip to the hearst castle, hopefully w/in the next 2 weeks:)