Does size matter?

You will get to see a larger variety of cases at the larger hospitals :)

You will see interesting things at teaching hospitals (bigger). Plus, the doctors are nicer!

LOL you almost made me crack up with the title, lol I think you got the idea. I guess I like big sizes.

OK, my unit is smaller than most, but I still think it's been a rewarding experience for not only myself, but those I work all night with.

I've spoken to many guys who are also making due with less, and we all agree - size doesn't matter - it's what you do with available work forces that makes all the difference.

So I guess you could say I am a fan of smaller sections (what choice do I have anyway?). Also keep in mind that smaller units often see much less business, which allows for more personal care, and won't leave you so exhausted at the end of the night. Also, smaller units are much more responsive to individual needs.

Of course, the exception would be when a small staff has to service a large area. That'll drive you nuts!

Anyway, I encourage everyone not to fall for the hype about the big "learning" departments. I think you will find smaller sections much more rewarding. :wink2:

Pel

I chose to start in a smaller hospital. I feel I made the right decision, just starting off as a new nurse and everything. At this particular hospital everyone is verry friendly. That is not true for every place though... I just got lucky with that one!

I kinda had a plan to start at a community hospital. I can always move up into a more intense environment in the future, but I really enjoy the clientel and employees of a community based hospital.

In a samller hospital you are more likely to get better hands on experience. There are no resp techs, there is no IV team, and there are usually no NA's and they always need people to respond to codes not just a code team. I love my small hospital, I see alot more action and get to use alot more skills than friends in large city hospitals. just my observation.

I now work for a medium-sized hospital. My first job was at Duke which is huge. I like the larger hospitals because you can transfer around getting different experiences. I've been at the same job for 14 years and have done trauma, neuro and telemetry and was as general med-surg.

The advantage of a smaller hospital I see is that you have to be well rounded in just about everything. There's a nurse here Stevielynn, that works in a tiny hospital, that delivers babies one day, and does house supervisor the next, and the next has a peds patient, and the next an adult med-surg. That's variety!