Cedars-Sinai vs Keck Hospital of USC

[rcon]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping I could get some input from people who live in the LA area. I have about 1 year experience in a medical/surgical ICU and I am looking to change hospitals for various reasons. I actually applied to both Cedars and USC and believe it or not, I actually got interviews with both. I am applying for the Neuro ICU at USC and the Surgical/Trauma/Transplant ICU at Cedars. I want to get the best experience possible to advance my nursing practice and broaden my ICU critical thinking skills. I have seen both units at my interviews and they are both amazing. I eventually want to go to CRNA school after I get a few more years of ICU experience. So my question is, which hospital/floor do you think would be better experience to both learn more and pepare for CRNA school. I live closer to Cedars. Both openings are for night shift which is not a bid deal to me. Overall, I was more impressed by Cedars, but I know both hospitals are great. I also have been told that if you work at USC for a year, then you can go to USC University for free. That would be a big plus if I go to CRNA school.

About the floors:

USC: Neuro ICU- Mostly neuro-surgical patients with craniotomies, ventrics, lumbar drains, etc. I was told they get some overflow from the abdominal transplant ICU as well. The turnover rate of patients is supposed to be fairly high.

Cedars: SICU- All types of trauma. All general surgeries like GI, vascular, and some Neuro. I was told the SICU gets Neuro ICU overflow. All transplants except heart transplants which go the the Cardiothoracic ICU.

Thanks for any input!

[CVmursenary]

sounds like you will get more variety at cedars. I think you will find more hemodynamic issues in the surgical ICU as opposed to the neuro icu which will be desirable experience to anesthesia schools.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Id go with Cedars, I did a contract in the ICU float pool there, I floated all over except CT surgery. You will get a way more varried experience. Neuro is far to specific specialty to really get a good understanding of multisystem issues. Because Cedars has so many different types of units so after you are more comfortable in your unit, you could ask to cross train to a different unit if you want to pick up extra shifts to get even more expereince.

[aabbccdd]

Just my personal opinion, but you can tell that Cedars is not a University. The atmosphere at USC is more scholarly. I also think the benefits are better at USC. If you could see yourself work at both units then I would prefer to work at USC.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

I will agree with you on that feeling about Cedars. Its a decent hospital, but I work at a wayyy smaller hospital now and I feel we give much better thorough care. Nurses are not that really respected there when I was there. I felt like we were lowly creatures. They were never mean or anything, but our assesments and opinions were never really valued.

[TotallyAwwwesome]

hi rcon ,

so which hospital did you decide to go with?

[wanderlust99]

Hmm. I've worked at both of those hospitals in the ICU float pool as a traveler and didn't like either. But I think I loathe Cedars more, as a whole. It's the worst hospital I've ever worked at.

[rcon]

Hi getmethisnownurse,

If you don't mind me asking, what about the hospitals did you not like? Are there any other hospitals in this area that you really did like? Thanks for any info!

[yemachi]

Hi

i work in los angeles and have worked at cedars sinai on the float pool for about six months. i have heard more positive stuff about usc and funnily enough i am looking for a full time job and after speaking to other nurses i will apply at usc. my reason is mostly because of the benefits i heard are really good. i also work at ucla which to me is the best out of all the hospitals but that is just me being bias. have you considered working at UCLA?

[jelly221,RN]

Hi

i work in los angeles and have worked at cedars sinai on the float pool for about six months. i have heard more positive stuff about usc and funnily enough i am looking for a full time job and after speaking to other nurses i will apply at usc. my reason is mostly because of the benefits i heard are really good. i also work at ucla which to me is the best out of all the hospitals but that is just me being bias. have you considered working at UCLA?

I'm in LA also, and this sounds very in line with what I've heard from friends.

[TotallyAwwwesome]

Does anyone know the hourly wage of nurses at Keck USC?

[clim7]

I personally know the nurse manager for the neuro icu. She says the benefits are great. She didn't go into specifics but she did say that your children can attend USC for free. However, I think that's a well known fact. I'll have to ask her for more information.