Denver/Ft Collins/Loveland Hospitals

[TimeToMoveOn]

I am looking for new city to relocate to and a new hospital to work at. I currently work at a big name trauma/teaching center that is going down hill fast. We haven't had raises in years, they suspended vacation time for several months last year, fired a thousand people and now they have taken away some of our vacation/sick time. And this year we will no longer be able to earn sick/vacation time for hours worked above our FTE. They have increased patient:nurse ratios by 50%. Prices for insurance and parking go up every year (remember - no raises). Their motto is "Do more with less". It is getting unsafe. Everyone is miserable - which makes for a very happy workplace.

I was wondering if the hospitals in your area are going through the same thing. I understand a few belt tightening moves - but I would like a place that still values their employees and the employees still love their work. I can work adult or children's. I just want decent pay, safe pt:nurse ratios, a chance to eat lunch and maybe a break once in awhile. I am also interested in eventually moving up to a unit educator role - so I need a hospital that hasn't done away with their education department. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Northern CO is a premier place to live/work. Housing is affordable and wages are decent. Hence also quite competitive for nursing jobs. There are a lot of nursing schools in the area as well. I think cutbacks are taking place everywhere. My DH had surgery at PVH last year and his nurse said that their ratios had just been increased (ortho floor).