anyone work at CHOP or any other NICUs in Phila area?

Jolie, BSN · Dec 8, 2007

I've heard CHOP doesn't pay all that great, but it's the best ranked the best hospital for neonatology so I would be honored to begin my career there!

That's what they are counting on! Seriously, I don't have any opinion one way or the other about CHOP, but the "attitude" of some children's hospitals drives me nuts. The idea that they are doing me a favor by employing me at sub-market wages because I work in a "prestigous" facility doesn't fly with me. (I once worked in another children's hospital where that was the prevailing attitude, and I'll never do it again.) There is no shortage of well-regarded NICUs in the Philadelphia area, so you don't have to go to CHOP to get good NICU experience. Interview at a number of facilities and weigh your options. Good luck!

Sweeper933 · Dec 8, 2007

I really don't think it's ever too early to apply for a job. I graduated in December of 2004. In August of that year, I saw an opening in the NICU that I wanted. I applied to it, and head back from the nursing recruiting office within hours. I told her that I wouldn't be able to start until the following January, and she told me that it wouldn't be a problem. I was able to get an interview lined up for the next week w/ the nursing office and the NICU manager. I ended up being offered the position the day of my interview - and I accepted it right away! My manager said that it was not a problem in the slightest that I wouldn't be able to start until the following January!

glamgalRN · Dec 28, 2007

While I haven't done my clinicals at CHOP, I've heard the same thing- that "CHOP is doing you a favor by letting you work there." I realize there are a few NICUs in the Phila area, are there any in particular that stand out in your mind that hire new grads & are a great place to learn? Thanks! :)

glamgalRN · Dec 28, 2007

Sweeper- Thanks for responding! I'm going to begin my search for jobs over the next few days and begin applying in the beginning of Jan. I'm soo excited!! I hope I have the same luck you did when applying!

CRDBear · Jan 1, 2008

HUP, Pennsylvania Hospital and Jefferson all have excellent NICUS and the "CHOP attitude" isn't present. Plus, pay and benefits are better!

gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP · Feb 19, 2008

I just got an interview at CHOP!!! I think the attitude is negligible for the experience in the beginning of your career. Perhaps later on, it might be better to go for the benefits and pay. But I like the idea of starting out at one of the best to get experience and see EVERYTHING. It also depends on where you are in life too. Married with kids makes things different, but I have neither and I'm just 22, so the big Level 4 NICU's here I come!

babyNP., APRN · Feb 20, 2008

Awesome! Congratulations : ) I also got an interview scheduled in a few weeks. Isn't it like applying to college all over again? Two recommendations, transcripts, release forms, etc. When is yours? Maybe we'll see each other, heh.

I can't decide where I want to go though, because I also have an interview at DC Children's. They were a lot laid-back and told me to show up in scrubs!

I think we have a good shot at getting in just because they're expanding from a 60 bed to a 75 bed by this year, so they're looking to hire anyway. I'm not sure I like the sound of rotating nights/days for 3 months, but like you said, the experience would be amazing. Do you know what their starting pay is?

gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP · Feb 20, 2008

Congratulations to you too! This is so much more stressful than applying to college! This is the rest of our lives, almost. She didn't talk to me about what I need to bring or anything yet. I'm waiting for her to call back to schedule the interview because she didn't have the dates that I could do it in front of her. But it'll definitely be after March 12.

I've heard of quite a few hospitals asking to come in scrubs. Example: Hopkins. I've been in Baltimore for 5 years now for school, etc. so I'm moving north. Philly, NJ or NY. If not CHOP, UPenn is second tied with St. Peter's in NJ.

I'm hoping I have a good shot since they're expanding. I was told a few months ago during a career fair at my school by a recruiter from CHOP blatantly that NO they would absolutely NOT hire new grads into the NICU. But I'm glad I took a shot and just applied.

And you'll be rotating days/night during orientation almost no matter where you go. The only thing that sort of annoys me is that she told me we would be doing nights straight for our first 1-2 years because of the expansion, etc. At least it's only 3 days a week, huh? I guess it wouldn't be soo bad.

I actually don't know about the pay. I figured I would ask that during the interview. Although in other professions, it doesn't look good to ask that kind of question during the interview. I've heard that since they have that "elitist" attitude, like Hopkins does, they don't pay as much as others. I have an offer from a community hospital, 60 bed NICU, and they're offering $30/hour, while Hopkins only pays around $25/hour for new grads. As long as CHOP is between those two numbers, or higher, I'm happy.

jenn_rn_nj · Feb 23, 2008

hey :)

i'm graduating in may and i completed the interview process for CHOP NICU during January...i'm excited (and scared!!) to say that i start in july! :yeah:

NICU is all that i've ever wanted to do...can't quite explain why. the recruiter at CHOP was wonderful...very good about keeping me in the loop about what was occurring and what i needed to do throughout the process. i didn't perceive any significant attitude or negativism...on the contrary, on my shadow day i was able to witness a lot of teamwork and camaraderie among the nurses...it's quite scary how sick some of the babies are...as i said before i'm equal parts excited and scared.

goodluck to others going through the process...

jenn_rn_nj · Feb 23, 2008

I think we have a good shot at getting in just because they're expanding from a 60 bed to a 75 bed by this year, so they're looking to hire anyway. I'm not sure I like the sound of rotating nights/days for 3 months, but like you said, the experience would be amazing. Do you know what their starting pay is?

just to clarify with regard to the rotating shifts on orientation, the way i understand it, more of the shifts are day r/t more going on with regard to procedures and rounds and you aren't rotating back and forth within the same week...it was explained to me that it will be front loaded with days then switched to nights

the starting pay is $25.50/hr $2.50 shift diff weekday nights and $4.50 shift diff weekend nights(i think i'm remembering that right...my paperwork is somewhere around here)...the hospital close to my home starts $26/hr with 12% shift diff but it's all more money to me since i'm currently a unit secretary lol

just my :twocents:

NICUBSNME · Jun 13, 2008

I work in a level III NICU, for Main Line Health (Lankenau hospital is right off of City Line Ave in Wynnewood.) They're pretty competitive and the pay is better than at CHOP from what I've heard. Good Luck to you!