Does this sound good?????

jmgrn65, RN · Sep 1, 2005

sounds good to me almost too good. :)

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2005

sounds good to me almost too good. :)

If I didn't know the hospital and university its affiliated with I would say its too good too.

They have consistently been ranked among the top 100 in the country I know for the last 15 years in more than one area. Their MSN program is in the top 10% in the country. Unlimited growth opportunity.

The HR person and nurse manager both emailed me this afternoon and said they were going ahead with my reference check. I should know something Tues or Wed of next week (dang holiday).

Tues or Wed wont get here fast enough!

Jedi · Sep 1, 2005

Sounds good, but...

Make sure your orientation is based around your experience level. Have you been part of a teaching hospital situation before? If the level of care is higher, Level 1 trauma center and you are not used to this level of care, then I might want more of an orientation. If you already have ICU experience, etc.

If you have never had ICU experience, then it is not enought time for a teaching hospital. I'm not sure how much is standard for teaching hospital ICU settings these days, but ask around. If you are new to ICU, I'd be looking to at least double that orientation period.

Make them agree ahead of time. The old, we'll see how it goes usually means it's never extended unless you are considered a "problem" and sometimes it means the orientation is shortened.

:)

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2005

Sounds good, but...
Make sure your orientation is based around your experience level. Have you been part of a teaching hospital situation before? If the level of care is higher, Level 1 trauma center and you are not used to this level of care, then I might want more of an orientation. If you already have ICU experience, etc.
If you have never had ICU experience, then it is not enought time for a teaching hospital. I'm not sure how much is standard for teaching hospital ICU settings these days, but ask around. If you are new to ICU, I'd be looking to at least double that orientation period.
Make them agree ahead of time. The old, we'll see how it goes usually means it's never extended unless you are considered a "problem" and sometimes it means the orientation is shortened.
:)

Yes, I asked about that. Normally for new employees to Level 1 they do 10-12 wks. I have previous ICU as well as HTICU in a Level 1.

They will however send me back through the Critical Care Course since its been 3 yrs since I worked in HTICU. Which is by no means a bad thing. They also use a CNS for staff education. As far as preceptors....... I would be assigned to 2, 1 primary and 1 back up.

Oh, charge nurse never takes patients. They are the resource person, or the transport nurse for pts going off the unit for whatever reason. Most of the nurses have been there at least 5 yrs. They do hire new grads, but dont have more than 2 working at the same time. So Im guessing that they dont hire them often.

I went back and found all my resource material and my CC Course books from when I worked HTICU. Tons of information and brought back that desire for cardiology. The heart has always facinated me.

acquiesce1908 · Sep 3, 2005

Sounds pretty good to me too. Just one question....What is there "turn over rate"?

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2005

From what HR, the nurse manager, the nurses that I spoke with in the unit, and from a friend who works on a another unit at the same hospital..............it is about 10-15%. That may sound like a lot, but what the nurses do is go "Flexi" for the higher pay rate and work all of their hours in that unit, so they never "technically" leave.

bellehill, RN · Sep 13, 2005

Sounds like a great place to work and a supportive work environment. The only hitch may be the 45 minute drive?

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2005

I weighed that into the equation. Right now I do home care, and drive about 150 miles/day. The mileage to this hosp is 35 miles one way.

A friend of mine pointed out yesterday that with the hosp paying for 2 classes/semester........ I have 7 semesters left of my NP program. With them paying, its like a sign on bonus.

HR called me last Wed and officially offered me the position! Im very excited!

AdrenalineJunkie · Sep 20, 2005

Congrats! It sounds great to me. When do you start?

ethelbsnrn · Sep 20, 2005

Mind telling us the name of the hospital? Or you can send it to me as PM. Thanks.

Ethel

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2005

I started yesterday! Of course all this week and Monday of next week is General, hospital and nursing orientation. I do get to go and spend 1/2 day on the unit on Thursday. Today I got to looking at the map after one of the speakers told us how big the hospital campus was........ 3 million sq ft, and 78 city blocks........... Im gonna be lost for a long time!! Guess as long as I know the main buildings then I'll be ok.