CHLA v. LAC

louisejaneerdman · Feb 11, 2018

Hi there,

I just moved to LA from NY with 2 years of school nurse experience. I lucked out and within a few weeks I interviewed at both Los Angeles County Hospital and Children's Hospital of LA for pediatric nurse positions and was offered a full time at both! And now the hard part is to choose by tomorrow! Can any one weigh in and offer their experience at either LAC or CHLA? The positions are as follows:

CHLA - Rehab Ped RN II full time "Flex" (both nights and days depending on need)

4:1 RN:Pt ratio

3 x 12 hr shifts = full time plus the usual night differential

LAC - Peds med/surg cross trained with Adolescent med/surg RN II full time "Flex"

4:1 Peds RN:Pt ratio

6:1 Adolescents RN Pt ratio

3 x !2 hr shifts plus an additional 4th shift Q 4 wks to be full time

I believe the salary and benefits will be similar. Noth are full time/full benefit positions...BUT at CHLA you only have to work 3x12 to be full time and LAC you must work an extra 4th shift every 4th week to make up 40 hrs. In other words 36 hrs is FT at CHLA and 40 hrs at LAC. So that in itself is a reason to go w CHLA.

Ive heard the work environment at CHLA is wonderful. Its a teaching hospital, too so even If the pay/benefits are slightly lower, its better to work here. This is especially good for me since I am a newer nurse without much clinical/acute care so will probably need the extra support.

The nurse managers were super friendly and easy to talk to and interview with at CHLA. I got a tour of the 22 bed unit so have an idea of what to expect. The RN manager I interviewed with at LAC was nice but the interview a bit stiff and standard. I didn't get to see the unit so dont know what to expect or what types of patients are med/surg.

Any advice greatly appreciated! I feel super lucky to get to choose form two excellent positions which are similar but different! Biggest difference I see is one is rehab and the other med/surg and obviously the hospitals. Any advice is greatly appreciated....