Anyone work for a HCA hospital?

neurorn6 · Sep 17, 2008

I have worked for HCA in the past and would never work for them again. Pay and benefits are terrible. Read some of the post in the traveler forum and you will get a better idea. They are a for profit hospital, and the one that I worked in had out dated equipment as well as an outdated approach to health care.

Nurses were treated as second class citizens. I would avoid the if you can.

shoegalRN, RN · Sep 17, 2008

I have heard mixed things about HCA...does anyone work for them? I know that if you go to Research College of Nursing and agree to work for 2 years at a HCA hospital they will pay your tution for the accelerated BSN program. Have any of you done that and what was your experience?

I attend RCON and I am a senior in the Traditional option program.

Yes, they will pay your tutition if you work for a HCA hospital.

I work for one now as a Nurse Intern that I will probably stay at when I graduate. This is a brand new hospital and all the equipment is updated and new. The benefits are okay, but nothing compares to the benefits that I got from my previous career and that's keeping it real.

I have to work for them for 3 years. My goal is to work off the loan and then become an agency nurse with the agency that only deals with HCA hospitals.

But my opinion on if HCA is terrible or not, all I can say is there is good and bad with any job, you have to make that decision for yourself.

sandycheeksrn · Oct 10, 2008

I worked at OPRMC, which is a HCA hospital, I was excited and felt it was a small town feeling hospital in the burbs. But, staff was overworked, under paid and many nursing coordinators and charge nurses did not have a clue on how to work with people without making people feel belittled. They use alot of agency nurses,and they seem to work on their own and the full time people seem bitter and anyone new to the units. I am a experienced nurse and recieved minimal orientation and did not recieve and back up when I needed it. I felt out of place and I kept to myself to stay busy. I wish things worked out. I ended up resigning, and I do't think anyone missed me.

FroggyMama · Oct 19, 2008

I've worked at an HCA hospital before, and I had no problems. Benefits were OK, staffing was decent...I've had much worse elsewhere. I think it depends on the specific hospital, and even more, the unit.

Josh L.Ac. · Oct 21, 2008

I think that HCA hospitals in the greater KC area are all increasing their wages for staff nurses, although it is taking many months to get it finalized [back pay, anyone?].

I work outpatient pain management, so my experience is fundamentally different than the majority of the nurses that work in my hospital. We do make a ton of money for the hospital and still have some problems getting staffing, although I do understand the rationale that management makes that you need to show increased census month by month...although the lag sucks.

MzKGoRN · Oct 22, 2008

I currently work for a HCA hospital in Texas, I know they have tuition payback, I am not sure how it works. At my facility we have adequate nursing staff, the hospital treats their nurses very well, and i get paid well for a new grad. I love working for this facility.

Check out the hospital then make your decision

lyndburgh · Jan 15, 2009

I am in the AO RCON '10 class and even if it is not as great a hospital as others in the area, tuition is worth it. They pay 100% plus all of my pre reqs that I had left to finish. It's only 2 years and hey I'm just grateful to have a guaranteed job when I graduate. Not everyone can say that.

FinallyReady4RN · Jan 21, 2009

I work for HCA, how do I go about getting this benefit? I'm a few classes shy of being able to apply to RN school and would definitely sign something to work for HCA after obtaining it. Do you know who I should call and what to ask for? Thanks so much in advance

lyndburgh · Jan 21, 2009

I'm not sure you can do it through other schools but I know Research College of Nursing does it. It's great because you don't have to apply and hope you get it, you just sign up for it. I did my prereqs at Rockhurst and I had to pay for them upfront but once I sign the 2 year work agreement they will reimburse me. Check out Research College's website: www.researchcollege.edu for more info on the programs they have.

gigi_rn · Feb 20, 2009

I worked for HCA in Oklahoma, and work agency now for All About Staffing, owned by HCA. I always look forward to going to the HCA-KC hospitals, because I generally have much better nights than at my regular job.

dizzyheadspin · Nov 9, 2009

I worked at OPRMC, which is a HCA hospital, I was excited and felt it was a small town feeling hospital in the burbs. But, staff was overworked, under paid and many nursing coordinators and charge nurses did not have a clue on how to work with people without making people feel belittled. They use alot of agency nurses,and they seem to work on their own and the full time people seem bitter and anyone new to the units. I am a experienced nurse and recieved minimal orientation and did not recieve and back up when I needed it. I felt out of place and I kept to myself to stay busy. I wish things worked out. I ended up resigning, and I do't think anyone missed me.

I hear the same time and time again. Its known to stay away from our local HCA hospital where a veteran nurse = > 4 years of experience from the same hospital.