East Texas Medical Center vs Trinity Mother Frances

[junebug6]

Looking for an honest opinion on these two hospitals in the East TX area. I have an opportunity to interview at both for ICU positions.

I know that ETMC is a level 1 trauma center which is great, but I have heard rumors of hiring freezes and laying off senior nurses to replace them with lower payed new grads.

I know that TMFHS is on the path to becoming a magnet hospital and is bigger and "prettier". They seem to have more opportunities for growth. But I've heard they make their nurses read from scripts and generally give them less autonomy than ETMC does.

I just don't want to make a bad decision and was hoping to hear from people that have recent knowledge of either hospital and can give me the real inside scoop to help me in making my decision. Any pay differences would be great to know too!

Thank you and I am glad to be here! :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I am not extremely familiar with either facility - but just wanted to add that "scripting" is a widespread practice to improve customer service scores (HCAHPS). It originated with the Studer program, but over the years just about everyone has adopted it. No one need to "read" anything, it consists of short phrases that are supposed to be used in different types of encounters with the patient/family. Magnet standards require a hospital to maintain many nurse-friendly structures & processes that are usually not found in other organizations, so you may want to investigate this a bit more.

Best of luck on your job search.

[junebug6]

Thank you for the reply! Does anyone have an opinion on how much of an advantage working at a level 1 trauma center would be vs a level 2. I hope to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner someday. Should this even factor into my decision?

[raidergirl95]

I know ETMC is getting rid of all urologist...they are downsizing.

[loreleiodom]

I am graduating in a few weeks with my BSN and looking to relocate to the Tyler area. I am curious to the answers to your post.Thanks for your time!

[Peoplesnur1070]

I am pro parental choice when it comes to declining vaccines and tests. Which one of these hospitals is friendlier toward parents who choose not to vaccinate their newborn for an std and inject them with synthetic vitamin k?

[sneed1o1, BSN, RN]

I had clinicals at both, interviews at both, but I chose to work cardiac tele at TMFH. I have since moved to DFW last year, but I can tell you that HouTx is right when it comes to patient satisfaction...it's pretty much everywhere! Baylor has so far been the only system I have worked for that places just as much emphasis on EMPLOYEE satisfaction. Texas Health was infamous for their patient satisfaction in my opinion...not enough employee satisfaction there, therefore A LOT of employee turnover and ridiculous working schedules for the remaining nurses. Anyway, as far as ETMC goes, I also heard they were going bankrupt. The staff seemed more willing to teach, but their environment just seemed "outdated". TMFH on the other hand were very up-to-date, but I also ran into a lot of bitter, seasoned nurses who seemed to not care for the new generation nurses. The charge nurse at Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital affiliated with TMFH was really nice. She didn't allow patients to walk all over the employees just to improve their satisfaction. I believe the pros vs cons is very departmental. I believe when I interviewed, ETMC also had a few bucks more in starting pay than TMFH, but I was born at TMFH, it's a family hospital for me, so I was a bit more biased Good luck!