Best Hospitals in Chicoland Area to Work At

MichRN72 · May 16, 2005

I'm at Masonic all the time, Mary. I stay in Barr Tower when I'm visiting. I like what I hear about Advocate's system so far.

neuronursein06 · May 22, 2005

she said that the tele units were too new and disorganized/not well supplied (sound like res?) to the point of not being able to find dressings. also very short staffed and used lots of travelers/agency nurses, but she loves their scheduling (one weekend on, three off, because they have so many baylor nurses).
second hand information, though.

too new? loyola's tele???? they still have quads on that floor! only 10 private rooms, if i recall....disorganized? yep. haven't gone to computerized charting yet, can never find charts, there are a lot of agency/travelers, etc. it's a huge floor, so it can get extremely disorganized and confusing. that just comes with a big floor in general though. personally? i'd work at their trauma unit, their burn unit (if you like that), etc- but tele? go to northwestern if that's what you want. (don't get me wrong, loyola is a great hospital- but the nm's on tele refuse to fire people for very fire-able things, bc they're so short staffed...then "good" nurses and techs, they have high expectations for, and will reprimand them for, say, calling in sick one day, forgetting to punch out once, etc....they're so warped. don't expect much out of the majority of the staff there- and let big things go- and then write people up who are good with both the "art" and "science" of nursing. ) you'll learn a lot there, as they have a lot of interesting cases on that floor....but i still would not necessarily recommend working on that floor.

Stitchie · May 23, 2005

Too new? Loyola's TELE???? They still have QUADS on that floor! Only 10 private rooms, if I recall....Disorganized? Yep. Haven't gone to computerized charting yet, can never find charts, there are a lot of agency/travelers, etc. It's a huge floor, so it can get extremely disorganized and confusing. That just comes with a big floor in general though. Personally? I'd work at their trauma unit, their burn unit (if you like that), etc- but tele? Go to Northwestern if that's what you want. (Don't get me wrong, Loyola is a great hospital- BUT the NM's on tele refuse to fire people for very fire-able things, bc they're so short staffed...then "good" nurses and techs, they have high expectations for, and will reprimand them for, say, calling in sick one day, forgetting to punch out once, etc....they're so warped. Don't expect much out of the majority of the staff there- and let big things go- and then write people up who are good with both the "art" and "science" of nursing. ) You'll learn a lot there, as they have a lot of interesting cases on that floor....but I still would not necessarily recommend working on that floor.

Well, off topic, but I did state that my information came second-hand from a friend; she had told me that Loyola had opened up new tele units. That's all I wanted to mention; I don't have any first-hand knowledge.

Obviously, someone who works there will know best, sorry for the confusion.

neuronursein06 · May 24, 2005

Well, off topic, but I did state that my information came second-hand from a friend; she had told me that Loyola had opened up new tele units. That's all I wanted to mention; I don't have any first-hand knowledge.
Obviously, someone who works there will know best, sorry for the confusion.

I knew it didn't come from you; I just am incredulous that even second-hand you'd hear that...and that someone would say that! That floor is like the Flintstone area....old wings, etc...very dreary looking, only ripped up carpet in recent years, needs repainting, computers that never work, thermomenters/pulse ox's that never work or get stolen, not enough pulse ox's for the floor (only 4 for 70+ patinets...if they're lucky! I've been there when there was only one working pulse-ox.) etc... I was there for 2 1/2 yrs, and nothing new opened up. ITV took over one of the quads, so tele is now less 4 beds, and ITV gained 4 beds....just old. Equipment old, etc.....but their caridothroracic surgery, etc, is very renowned in Chicago and the midwest.

I think patient satisfaction, etc, and staff morale there is low, as patinets have no privacy (this is not uncommon for Loyola though) and there does not seem to be much autonomy- at least on tele.

Just my thought- but of course, I really, honestly, don't profess to know that much. Just what I witnessed for 2+ yrs there....

:)

suebird3 · May 24, 2005

The California nurses union is trying to move into IL; I get stuff from them all the time.
The only place that I have heard of for sure that is unionized is Stroger hospital (used to be Cook County, what the ER hospital is based on).
I haven't heard of any other area hospitals being unionized; has anyone else?

Stroger just had that NNOC voted in.

St. Joe's in Joliet has/had (?) a union.

Jolie, BSN · May 24, 2005

Stroger just had that NNOC voted in.
St. Joe's in Joliet has/had (?) a union.

Yes, Provena St. Joe's in Joliet is unionized.

Stitchie · May 27, 2005

Yes, Provena St. Joe's in Joliet is unionized.

That's good to know. My DH&I are renovating a house in unincorpoated Naperville that we will move into someday.

What's your opinion of St. Joe's vs. Silver Cross?

TracyB,RN, RN · May 30, 2005

Oooh, don't get me started on Provena St. Joe's Joliet.. Sure, they are union, but staff are not happy campers...I wouldn't take my goldfish there to be treated. My Gram is a frequent patient & I have a BIG problem with them & their treatment of her... but that's where her insurance allows her to go.... Ughghghg. My feelings on them could be written into a short novel, so I won't even go there right now.

Stitchie,

St. Joe's vs Silver.... Did clinical at both, I'd pick Silver, even though I DO NOT agree with alot of their policies & treatment of employees (former employee fired d/t back injury s/p MVA), but it depends on the unit you go to at Silver. Pay there is crap, but it's a southwest sub & lower pay is typical. Workwise... ughghg, unit wise... depends on unit & manager, benefits not bad...

If you are thinking of Naperville area, Edward Hospital is supposed to be very nice, I did clinical there years ago & was impressed, but for me, the drive just isn't worth it...

Feel free to PM me if you want more details... I just don't want to share TOO much info on this site...

suebird3 · May 31, 2005

I just pm'd Jolie a few days ago about this! Imho, I would rather go to St. Joe's....is closer, for one. They took pretty good care of my 94 year old grandmother. Yeah, I was in the ER in early Feb d/t my gallbladder acting up.....but to be honest, it was my own fault. :chuckle

Silver TOTALLY mis dx'd my mother in law. Went back 2 weeks s/p a dx of pnuemonia, and the pulmonologist "took a 4 day weekend." Guess what.....she had lung cancer. Yes, had. Silver also took their time w/ my grandfather....same dx. My facility has had several (!) problems, such as returning with decubiti..... :angryfire

Yes, it can all boil down to preferences; policies are different all over, and insurance, too. To each our own.

2bRn-STAT · Jun 7, 2005

Hey Tracie,

I lived in Chicago-west burbs for about 6 years. Im now in NC getting my schooling under my belt. Just got accepted to an LPN program and will be bridging over to get my Rn next year once I complete the program. My husband and I love Chicago-he is from there- and we MUST go back. I am wondering what the starting rate for a new grad Rn is there. I really want to work for Rush. I interviewed there for a more clerical position and BP checks etc. I was a CNA at the time. The lady loved me and wanted to start me out at 17.00 an hour just to do that. Well Rn's start out here in NC at about 18.00 an hour 18.36 the highest Ive seen. So what is Rush and other hospitals starting out at- I lived in Naperville and LOVED Edwards- delivered there- are they hard to get in? I dont care where it is - I just want a nice area and hopefully not a bad commute.

MichRN72 · Jun 7, 2005

Hey Tracie,
I lived in Chicago-west burbs for about 6 years. Im now in NC getting my schooling under my belt. Just got accepted to an LPN program and will be bridging over to get my Rn next year once I complete the program. My husband and I love Chicago-he is from there- and we MUST go back. I am wondering what the starting rate for a new grad Rn is there. I really want to work for Rush. I interviewed there for a more clerical position and BP checks etc. I was a CNA at the time. The lady loved me and wanted to start me out at 17.00 an hour just to do that. Well Rn's start out here in NC at about 18.00 an hour 18.36 the highest Ive seen. So what is Rush and other hospitals starting out at- I lived in Naperville and LOVED Edwards- delivered there- are they hard to get in? I dont care where it is - I just want a nice area and hopefully not a bad commute.

Hi, I can tell you about starting pay, I just interviewed at 3 big hospitals in the area. They were all with in a few cents of each other to start. Rush offered me $23.40/hour 23.90 after 6 months with one year experience as a RN. I didn't ask about shift differential because I had already accepted an offer from Northwestern where they pay 23.40/h plus 5.00 for nights and 2.00 on weekends. I was surprised that this was actually a bit less than what I make now in Michigan. Rush was great!!! It was very hard to decide between them and Northwestern, good luck!!!!!

2bRn-STAT · Jun 7, 2005

Thanks so much- I dont know who I would have picked- to be honest I would have picked Rush. The pay sounds great. Where do you live? I hated driving to NWestern for my doctors appts. I jut have a thing about Rush since that interview- I really got a great vibe from them. How many years experience do you have as Rn? That may make a difference also in starting pay for me. Do you know any new grads and what they were starting out at? Good Luck- do you know your hours and days that you will be working yet? What school did you graduate from, cant remember if I asked earlier. What are you doing in Michigan for work that pays more?