Anyone working at NWMC, Valley Med, or Tacoma General?

patwil73 · May 12, 2008

Yep, I work at Valley Medical Center. I truly enjoy working here.

Staffing ratio's for nurses on regular floors are 4 pt on days, 5 on eve, and 6 on nights. Each PCA will take up to 12 pts.

We divide our regular floors into "Centers of Excellence" so we have a Cardiac unit, a Renal/Respiratory unit, a general med unit, a general surgery unit, an Oncology/Metabolic unit, a Joint replacement unit, a Spinal/bariatric unit, and a Neuro unit.

I find the people I work with (nights is what I work) to be very friendly.

We are currently transitioning to computerized charting (having birth pangs) but mostly going pretty smoothly.

Lots of diversity here - both in patients and staff.

Hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you need any more.

Pat

babyNP., APRN · May 12, 2008

I'm doing a preceptorship in the NICU (neonatal) at Valley right now. Valley's been a good hospital from what I've seen (and I've been to a lot of the hospitals in the area!) and the only problem that I see is that Valley takes some babies that are too small/problems that they have to deal with. For example, I've heard that the nurses don't feel comfortable with some of the babies because of lack of specialized x-ray techs, pharmacists, etc. But the nurses in the NICU are very compassionate and make it a good working environment.

wsong3 · May 12, 2008

Thank you for all the information. Valley sounds a good place to go! But anyone here had experience with NW hospital? The info about this hospital is so limited on this board. I really need some inputs to make my final decision. Thank you in advance!

patwil73 · May 13, 2008

Are you talking about NorthWestern in north Seattle? I worked one contract there. People were pretty nice in ICU. However, the orientation was about 30 minutes - this is the computer, this is where pharmacy is try and find it to get your pyxis access. They also have computerized charting.

I did have 1 negative experience there but I don't like posting stuff like that out for everyone, so if you want to know please PM me and I'll explain it to you.

Hope this helps

Pat