Denver Health vs. HealhONE vs. Centura

[emschneid1400]

Hey nurses!:)

I'm a HV-SICU and ED nurse with three years experience, looking to relocate to Denver. It seems their are quite a few jobs available among Denver Health, Centura, and HealthOne. Does anyone have any input of which facilities to work at, and which ones to avoid? HealthOne is appealing with the bonuses, but seem too good to be true.

I am moving from a Level 1, 600 bed hospital within the ProMedica system. I am looking to go to ED, OR, Peds, or PACU, but nothing is totally ruled out except ICU. No hard feelings towards the ICU. I love fresh hearts and sick patients, but I need a change.

Little bit about me: I'm 25 years old with friends in Denver, Westminster, and Estes Park. I don't mind working in the city, but want some green space where I live. I like to be able to go run, hike, and bike without too much trouble. I'm not set on an area to live.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Healthone was bought by HCA a few years ago. I've heard that the pay there is among the worst of all the local hospitals, but I know several people who work at specific HCA facilities (Swedish, Med Center of Aurora, Rose) and all have been very happy with their individual units.

Centura seems to be growing like gangbusters. They just built a gorgeous new campus for their St. Anthony North hospital, which they relocated up I-25 several miles north. They also recently bought out Longmont United.

Denver Health is known as one of the best paying facilities in the area. If you like trauma, their ED is considered THE trauma place to be ("knife and gun club").

I live in Westminster, "commute" to Denver (it's 12 miles, not much of a commute). There's plenty of open space here, particularly if you go further north towards Lafayette and Broomfield, or to the far west part of Westminster, closer to the Foothills. I like that it's midway between Boulder and LoDo, 30 minutes in either direction and I can be either on the Pearl St. Mall or the 16th St. Mall.

Estes....well, there's not a lot there as far as hospitals and job opportunities. I think there's one hospital.

The other large hospital networks in Denver are UCH and SCL. You should look into those as well.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Honestly, just apply for all 3 and see what hits. That what I did. Then you can pick around.

Also something to consider.....Why is healthone the ONLY gang in town to be offering sign on bonuses?

[wgreene1]

I'm an OR nurse at Denver Health but prior to my employment there I did my OR training (periop 101) through Health One. I can say positive things about all but Denver Health, in my experience, is the kindest culture with the highest compensation (I've also heard University pays quite well). DH is heavy on teamwork and support you if you're proactive about your nursing goals both short and long term.

The wages at HealthOne are low (hence the sign on bonuses). I also ran into other challenges there, but my colleagues that are still with Health One in the OR's seem overall satisfied.

If you're looking to get into the OR I highly recommend Denver Health. They are launching their own periop 101 course next year to train more nurses for the OR.

Best of luck Em!

Wendy

[emschneid1400]

Thank you so much for the info, I really appreciate it!

[emschneid1400]

Thank you so much, Wendy! I'm applying to Denver Health and Colorado Children's at this point. Everyone I have talked to have very positive things to say about Denver Health...fingers crossed!