Bend: Ins & Outs for a relocating Trauma ICU RN

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Feb 4, 2015

Um Bend is on the smaller side as far as cities go and I think the best only hospital in the area is St Charles Medical Center....which I know nothing about, hopefully someone from that area will see and respond.

What I can tell you is OHSU and Legacy Emmanuel are Oregon's 2 truama centers.

All hospitals in Portland are BSN preferred.......have no idea about ST Charles

armychris · Feb 7, 2015

I'll answer the best that I can. I'm an ER tech at St. Charles but am fairly knowledgeable about ICU nursing (I work in ICU relatively often).

1. Is there a law setting nurseatient ratios? Do hospitals in OR obey these ratios? Can you point me to the law?

Not that I am currently aware of. The Bend area has 2 decent hospitals (both under the same health system). St Charles Bend and St. Charles Redmond. Most ICU nurses have anywhere from 2-5 patients depending on acuity.

2. What is the salary range for nurses in Bend?

$30 - $50/hr is pretty typical

3. Any places you'd recommend working or not recommend working and objective reasons why? Specifically, are middle and upper management at these employers long-term thinkers & nurse centered or short-term thinkers who have a knack at turning staff over?

I honestly prefer management of St. Charles Redmond over St Charles Bend. People choose Bend because it's the bigger hospital, but I've met more people who are happier at Redmond.

4. Do employers recognize BSN over ADN?

Both exist. The local community college churns out ADN's which have a hiring preferential as St. Charles loves to promote within their ranks (CNA's and Techs to RNs). When I was hired it was roughly 80% internal hires. BSN's are more typical in management.

5. As a BSN with CCRN, TNCC, TCAR certs, experience in trauma, cardiac, and medical ICU, anywhere I should look?

The only hospitals in the area are just branches of St. Charles.

6. Is the ONA union effective

Extremely effective. They have stopped hiring freezes, pay cuts, etc over the years. ONA is one of the best unions in the United States.

sea2summit3 · Mar 2, 2015

Hey armyChris thanks for all the advice and apologies for taking so long to reply. I'll likely be looking into ER as well. Any thoughts on setting myself up so I can be a strong candidate as one of the 20% external hires?

armychris · Mar 2, 2015

Not a problem. I'm currently deployed in Afghanistan so I've got plenty of time. I'll be back in the ER in a month though.

I found out a bit more about staffing for you. There is laws (either internal or external I'm not sure) which dictate patient/staff ratio. Certain departments are better at following these than others.

The ER in both hospitals typically are well staffed. Often nurses are sent home early (Only if they want to). We have had days where it is just slammed, but they are good about calling in additional resources/using float nurses.

Currently both ER's have new Managers. This is due to the Redmond ER manager being let go and the Bend manager relocating to Redmond. Unfortunately I have little insight on the new hiring practices because of this. What I can say is as an organization they value a person who fits well for the job over experience. Be confident and easy to get along with. Know the area and organization. Highlight skills that you obtained during your last job. I know for me I beat out several applicants who had many more years of experience. This isn't uncommon for the nurses either.

Good luck to you! I'm always happy to answer questions the best I can.