Covenant or UMC???

[CandiceMarie]

Hi!

I have a question for you Texans! I'll be starting at Covenant SON (Lubbock) in August, if all goes as planned =). I've been looking at different ways to pay for school- I know there's HealthTraxx, in which you have to sign a contract to work for Covenant upon graduation, and then UMC also has some incentives if you sign a contract with them.

So... my question is: Covenant or UMC? Has anyone ever worked at either facility? Any feedback? Or maybe you know about other scholarships that are available (besides FastWeb).

Thanks! I really appreciate your feedback!!

~CandiceMarie

[caribbeangirl]

Working with both facilities and having family work at both I would take UMC hands down. UMC is a teaching facility and if you are a new nurse or one with little experience this is by far the best. The programs are endless. Covenant seems to be caught up in alot of political issues. That is my personnal opinion. Trauma is best at UMC. Covenant is known for heart. I am unsure of the pay diff, but If I were to move back to that area, I would pursue UMC. Not only is UMC a county facility I feel as if it is more stable than Covenant. It used to be Methodist but was sold out. My father worked at "Methodist" for 14 yrs and was shy of his retirement when he fell ill and had open heart surgery. Unable to go back to work due to his condition he had to take early retirement. They would not take his work ethic, honors (employee of the YEAR) 5 out of the 14 he worked, most to succeed x2, accommadations x3) and allow him the time. (he was shy of retirement by 2 1/2 months) My mother worked for UMC for 17yrs and recieved many honors and was never mistreated as an employee. She retired from UMC and worked at Meth. for only a short period to discover that's not where she wanted to be. I find the staff at UMC to be much more personal than at Covenant. Again this is my opinion only. I would apply at both and interview and walk the facilities to get your own opinion.

You have to see for yourself.

[Lily79]

Please avoid Covenant like the plague! I graduated from Covenant SON and feel like I got an amazing education there (great clinical training too!) However - I made the mistake of hiring on at Covenant. I worked med/surg and would routinely have between 8-10 patients, usually with no nurse aid. I worked as a tech there during school and should have seen bad things coming once becoming a nurse, but somehow I just never did. UMC is amazing and very nurse-friendly. Even if you work your way through school as a tech at Covenant, DO NOT HIRE ON WITH THEM AS A NURSE!