For Profit or Not For Profit?

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 22, 2002

I don't think it's stupid of you to think about the future and want to make decent money for what you do......check out very carefully the work environment there and talk to those working in the areas you are considering to see if they are truly happy there and if management is supportive. Sometimes, money can be good...but most often you EARN IT bigtime. Make sure the leap is not from a frying pan to a fire.

I know little about Mayo...are you in Eau Claire by chance? Every now and again, I check out Luther Hospital there ...their job openings to see how active they are....some day, we may be retiring there cause dh is from that area. Family are there, too. Just idle curiosity on my part. Good luck w/your decision!

researchrabbit · Nov 22, 2002

From personal experience, I can say that being happy where you are working is usually more important than the money...

That said, it never hurts to check out the other opportunity...and if you let your present employer know what the new employer would pay...they might match it or come close.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2002

I work at a not-for-profit, but it is still profit-driven because we have to be making money to keep our doors open. We rent land from the city for $1.00 a year, and provide care regardless of their ability to pay, but no other monies from the city.

This isn't really in relation to pay, but the atomosphere in the not-for-profits are pretty much the same sometime. Maybe worse, during the hard times, they were really tough on staff (i.e. no agnecy nurses to fill in the holes in staffing, etc.)

ptnurse · Nov 22, 2002

The only hospital I have ever worked for is not for profit. I don't have a lot to tell you except that my friends that work in for profit institutions, complain that the patients think they are in a full service hotel and they spend a lot of time doing things that don't have anything to do with nursing. In my hospital I take care of mostly poor and/or elderly people. They are appreciative of the care I offer.(with the possible exception of a drug seeker). You just are going to have to try it out and find out for yourself. And you have a point, money is money. If you are going to work and the conditions are at all tolerable, go for the money. Think of it as your first adventure in nursing.

2banurse · Nov 22, 2002

I don't believe that money should be the primary motive for getting into nursing...mainly because in many locations the nurses are not paid fairly, but making better money makes you feel that you are valued and raises morale!

Just my two cents!

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2002

I work FT at a for profit and per diem at a church related not for profit. Both are corporate run facilities. I have worked at free standing for profit and not for profits as well.

In my experience, what seems to make the difference is the hospital being part of a corporation. Being part of a corporation means that you get not only the quirks of a particular hospital but also those of the corporation. For example, I dislike the mind set of the not for profit corporation I work for. It is sufficiently pervasive in the organization that when a friend of mine was living 1500 miles away and listening to me complain, she happened to hear some nurses talking about their hospital and asked if they worked for X hospital system. They were amazed she knew exactly who they worked for. You also get the benefits of the corporation. The one that comes to my mind is the ability to move within the corporation and retain your benefit status.

What concerns me about what you said was that your current facility will not discuss starting salary with you. Something is wrong with that picture.

Be wary of presuming you will make more than other new grads because you are already an employee. Your previous experience is nice to have but you'll still be a new grad.

Also, while the lure of extra shifts is tempting, here we recommend to new grads that they not work extra, or even try to go back to shcool, for at least a year. You need to be at your best to learn and become the nurse you are meant to be. That takes energy and emotional resources, resources that are taxed by extra shifts and and stress of going to school on top of all the other life stressors you may have.

Remember, too, that your first job is just that your first job. It may or may not be your last job. When all is said and done what keeps most of us in a particular job are the relationships we have with our coworkers, IMO.

emily_mom · Nov 22, 2002

Yep, I'm in school in Eau Claire (beautiful city). And yes, Luther is the one I am considering. I never went into nursing for the money, but obviously if I have the opportunity to make a heck of a lot more, it will catch my interest.

The reason I started this thread is b/c of all the negative things I had heard about staff at for profit hospitals. I personally don't see why it would make a bit of difference what type of employees it draws, but I could be wrong. Is administration different? Is there anything different?