Experienced Nurses please help New Grad!!! HOW DO I DECIDE???

[JohnnyTrauma]

any info you can give me will help a lot! how did you decide which hospital you were going to work at after graduation? there are so many choices but i don't know where to start, how did you decide and what was the outcome?

what hospital would you want to work at right now if you were a new grad?.... and why?

thing's that are important to me: fun, new facility.. younger co-workers and the best chance to complete and have the hospital pay for school to become a nurse anesthetist.

places i am considering and why... glenbrook northwestern ($8k sign-on/tuition reiburnment, good location)... st. james olympia fields (will start me at the base salary of a nurse with 4 years experience because i was a paramedic for 6yrs and its a level 1).... i have an interview with loyola next week(any tips?), which along with u of c are my top two choices (anyone know a nurse recruiter email for university of chicago!?!?).......... any personal opinions / experiences @ the above hospitals would be awesome!!!

also, would it be a poor decisions to go out of state to finish school and work as an rn? i have no significant other and am only 23, but would prefer to stay in chicago if i could but have visited john hopkins, ucla, and university of washington for interviews. but like i said this would be last choice and only for 2-3 years to finish my degree.

lastly, and i'm sorry this is so long, i will be working in the e.r. at whichever hospital i pick. please any information to any of the above 50 questions i asked would help!!

(i copied/pasted an edited version of my resume below and critques or advice i am extremely grateful!!!) :bowingpur

objective: seeking a challenging position in a busy hospital where my extensive medical, professional, and practical experience will be fully utilized.

education:

moraine valley community college, palos, il

graduated: may 14, 2008

summa cum laude

major: associates in nursing

ingalls paramedic program, harvey, il

2003-2004

received/maintained certifications: paramedic license (il.), cpr, acls, bls, pals, phtls

work history:

trace ambulance service {9-11 ems response division}

tinley park, il

lead paramedic 2002 - present

• expressed excellent judgment being able to prioritize decisions and act quickly in the best interest of the patient.
  
• recognize and utilize communication unique to diverse multicultural groups and ages within various groups.
  
• ability to function independently at optimum level in a non-structured environment that is constantly changing.
  
• assess patient status and notify physicians and e.r. charge nurse of clinical status via telemetry radio.
  
• administer oxygen, intravenous access, ekg cardiac monitoring, medication and cpr.
  
• responsible for performing: intraosseous access, et intubation, needle decompression (for tension pneumothorax) and cricothyrotomy.

chicago bears paramedic

chicago, il field paramedic

2005 - present

• assigned to provide emergency care for professional sports teams.
  
• worked as a part of a small team consisting of 1 doctor, 1 r.n. and two paramedics.
  
• assigned to provide emergency care to the professional athletes which included, but not limited to: stabilization of fractures, acute spinal cord injuries, trauma, acute dysthrythmias and treatment of dehydration.

hurricane katrina emergency responseteam new orleans, la

volunteer paramedic

august 2005

• assist with emergency medical treatment at mass casualty incidents, including chemical, biological, and radiological incidents
  
• performed search and rescue.
  
• deployed the day after hurricane katrina made landfall, putting school on temporary hold, in order to use my skills to help the astonishing amount of people that were in need.
  
• stationed at the airport field hospital which treated more than 8,100 patients, handled over 20,000 evacuees, and administrated vaccinations to 1500 members of the u.s. armed forces and louisiana state police.

{name edited}

oak forest, il

inventory control / management april 1997-2003

• managed and forecasted the input and output of inventory levels.
  
• supervised multiple employee positions improving the productivity of each shift.
  
• established a solid, positive, and productive work environment.

license:

state of illinois paramedic license, cpr, acls, pals, phtls, bls, scheduled to take the nclex-rn june 2008

accomplishments:

øvaledictorian of ingalls hospital school of paramedicine

øreceived the golden stethoscope by bernard heilicser d.o. (south cook county medical director)

øvaledictorian of moraine valley college emt-b program

øcommendation-city of tinley park

øcommendation-palos hospital

øsumma cum laudemoraine valley college: school of nursing

øcompleted two years of volunteer work for elim school for the mentally disabled

clinical experience:

student paramedic (2003-2004)

• ingalls hospital and olympia fields level 1trauma e.r.

emergency department hours:

• triage: 16 immediate care (fast track): 16 main room: 300 total emergency hours: 332
  
• total operating room hours: 24

intensive care unit hours:

-burn icu: 8 pediatric icu: 16 ccu: 16 medical icu: 32 surgical icu: 16 total intensive care hours: 88

miscellaneous learning hours

-phlebotomy (satellite location): 16 labor & delivery: 24 cardiac cath. lab: 8 psychiatric dept.: 16 total clinical program hours: 508

student nurse (2006-2008)

palos, loyola, little company of mary, and ingalls hospital

-worked under the supervision of an rn; providing bedside care, treatment and clinical documentation for patients on cardiac, oncology, psychiatric, pediatric, icu, ccu, l&d, or, er and medical-surgical floors.

-handled medication administration, dressing changes, ivs and all other aspects of nursing care.

-facilitated admissions, discharges and transfers; prepared chart notes and participated on interdisciplinary team.

[Kathyz]

My husband knows the owner of Trace, Pat. Small world.........He uses their services at his nursing home!!

I did my clinicals at Glenbrook. It's a great hospital but extremely, extremely small. Not sure about their ED department.

U of C has a union. I wouldn't want to work there.

If you get hired at Loyola, go for it! Also consider the drive. It seems as though you're looking at hospitals all over the place from Glenview down to Olympia Fields. I'm not sure where you live.

If St. James will make you an offer, taking into account your previous experience, that sounds great!

Let us know what happens at Loyola.

I started this week as a nurse extern/PCT at Resurrection Hospital. I'll graduate with an ADN in December and want to make a smooth transition into an RN position at Res.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I don't have any words of wisdom about Chicago as I live near Peoria. However, the level one trauma center in Peoria is expanding to 57 beds and will be hiring more RNs. I worked there for 10 years and had a wonderful experience.

[sassysagrn]

I've been a registered nurse (BSN) for 5 years, and have worked as a staff nurse for 2 hospitals, one in Indiana and a major teaching facility in Illinois, and currently work as an agency RN and therefore have been to several hospitals in both states. I work telemetry, stepdown, and med-surg and rehab. Alot of my friends work ICU and ER. When I was a new grad, what was most important to me starting out was "which hospital will give me the greatest amount of education and experience as a new grad, along with the most money?" The hospital you're trained at as a new grad, believe it or not, will help form the standards of how you practice as a nurse in the upcoming years. Now, money was important (and still is), but education was paramount, and, although you've been a paramedic, so you're not totally blind, you are new in the field of nursing, which as you may have learned, comes with it's own body of knowlege, etc. So be careful - alot of these places will offer you alot of money, but not alot of education - they will train you for a little bit, then want to "throw you to the wolves" to have a body on the floor. Having worked at St James, both Olympia Fields and Chicago Heights as agency, and knowing a few nurses who work there as staff, and agency, I think this hospital is one of those to stay away from. I would also stay away from Ingalls hospital, as they are recently having alot of staffing problems.They pay well, but trust me, they are VERY short staffed. And I do mean VERY.

Of the hospitals I've worked at, I like the University of Chicago for several reasons: although I did not start off there as a new grad, they have an excellent new grad residency program (I don't know the technical term for it, but I believe that's what it's called), which is designed to make the transition from school and the floor easier. I know two new grads who have gone through it, and they both spoke positively of it. In addition, yes, they are union, but this will guarantee higher raises and pay as a staff nurse. Currently, my understanding is that UIC (University of Illinois, Chicago), U of C, and Cook County are the highest paying hospitals in the area. You're also going to get alot of sick patients at the University of Chicago, with alot of complex illnesses, which will allow you to learn. You'll take care of a diverse patient population also, which increases your tolerance and knowledge of different cultures. I also heard (I have a few friends which are CRNA's) that U of C is a favorite, along with Rush, of the CRNA schools in the area (there are only two, I believe). Other hospitals where you'll get good education are going to be Northwestern, which is a level I trauma center, and I heard Loyola was pretty good also. The thing I like about Northwestern is that, because they do have money, it's clean, well-staffed, and has alot of top of the line equipment, etc. But they do not pay their staff nurses alot. You pay alot for parking, but it is located in the heart of downtown (which is fun), and they have good benefits. So you have alot to think about - it depends on what's important to you at this point in time - that could change as you get older, or as your needs and wants change. What's right for you today may not be right tomorrow, etc. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask - I have either worked at almost every hospital in the Chicagoland area, or I probably know someone who has!!!:nuke::wink2::wink2:

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Consider your commuting time/expenses

Which gives you the best feeling?

Who will best provide the orientation you need?

Which provides the best opportunity for professional growth?

[ukstudent]

You say that your ultimate goal is to be a anesthesia nurse. Check into the those requirements. A few will take ER experience but most want ICU. Those that take ER want level 1 trauma ER experience from what little I know. Your ultimate goal should guild you.

Why are you only looking at ER and not at ICU as well?

[chellebelle]

I agree with the above post, consider ICU.

As a new grad 2 years ago I was convinced I wanted to go CRNA, as well. I pre-interviewed at Rush for the CRNA as an undergrad, and they definitely required >1 year ICU. Your experiences may prepare you for trauma/surgical ICU, burn unit, or cardiovascular ICU.

If CRNA is a long-term goal for you then doing ER first is not a concern, but you may want to check the pre-CRNA forum on allnurses. I found it to be really helpful.

I chose UofC because it's a fun, young, learning environment-100% tuition reimbursement, and a scholarship program with a living stipend for CRNA students once your clinical start, if you agree to just 2 years of work there when you're done. There's also a nurse residency program, which introduces you to young, fun people who are new to the city and looking for a good time. Above posters are right, Rush's CRNA program loves UofC nurses. Pay is great-with 2 yrs experience I make 30 bucks an hour before any incentive pay. I made about $55,000 as a new grad.

Good luck in your decision-making!

[surgerynurse70]

OH DEAR GOD!!!! please tell me you didn't go to St. James!!!!!

[erbryan]

If your interested in going further in school with your nursing U of chicago and RUSH win hands down great salary 100% tution for further education. Olympia Fields just tried to dump their level 1 status but were refused by the state of illinoisto do so. From the people i do know that "have worked there" very understaffed. Point to remember is anyone paying sign on bonus, one has to think why is that? Good indication of the turnover rates.You might also want to consider Cook County or U of I, those are places with great starting pays and great benefits. Well best of luck to you whatever your decision, Bryan

[crazylilkelly]

i second the poster a few ahead of me...PLEASE tell me you didn't go to St James!!!!! Where did you end up?

[80sNurse]

I'm curious too... where did you end up?

I'm a BSN just took refresher course & am being IGNORED by the hospitals you mention (including Rush & I used to work there!!)

V. interested in how it all worked out, and what has the staffing been like?

thx!

[FaLaLa134]

ahhhhhhh