Washington Hospital Center

Rustyhammer · Sep 25, 2002

I can't help you on the pay info but I do wonder why the DC area?

I went to DC before and was amazed at the city.

I didn't find it all that attractive.

-Russell

np2b · Sep 25, 2002

Hey, man...don't knock it 'till you've tried it! The DC area is a great place to live. (I lived there for four years after I graduated from college, and will possibly be going back there for grad school and to "settle down.") You have tons of world-class entertainment (Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theater, and whatever the Smithsonian or others bring in for the 4th of July or other events); some of the best museums in the country (Smithsonian goes without saying, but there is also the Newseum, the new spy musem, and many others); a great (and free) zoo, featuring pandas and some of the coolest primate exhibits (the "O" line and the golden lion tamarin "boot camp" in the summer) I've ever seen; fabulous sports (the Washington Capitals being my personal favorite, but I have a lot of friends who love the soccer team, or who take the train up to Baltimore to go to Camden Yards); good eatin' (El Pollo Rico, a total dive in Arlington, is one of the primary reasons I'll never be a full-blown vegetarian...there's more civilized restaurants, like Jaleo, as well); great biking/multi-purpose trails...I could go on and on and on...

Phew! I'm glad I got that off my chest. However, unfortunately, I don't have a lot of answers for the original poster's questions. I looked into the job openings at Georgetown University Hospital (http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org), and I'd noticed that they'd posted a salary range for their staff RN positions: all said "21.50/hr+" But that's just one hospital.

One thing you might try is calling or emailing local schools with nursing programs (Georgetown, George Mason, University of MD, etc.) and pose as a prospective student. You could ask them straight-up what starting salaries are in their area. I'm sure that they get asked that a lot, so they should have some numbers available at their fingertips.

Best of luck in DC!

NurseGirlKaren · Sep 25, 2002

Born and bred in Md, have always worked as a nurse in the DC suburban area. My first job out of nursing school was at WHC and it was horrible. I would not personally recommend it. As a new grad, worked on a tele floor--very poor orientation, no teamwork or comraderie. Asked a coworker for help pulling a patient up in bed, was told to do it myself. Union protection (which means mandatory union dues out of your paycheck)--WHC nurses went on strike last year or 2 years ago for a few weeks. I can't guarantee conditions have changed much. Physically, it is located in not the nicest part of town. Patient population varies--from international dignitaries who come from overseas to get treatment there to the homeless. As an employee, must pay for parking.

But come to Md--we've got lots of great opportunities for ya--and close to DC for the culture that np2b describes!

Just my little ol' opinion.

Rustyhammer · Sep 25, 2002

I didn't mean to knock the DC area. When I visited I was so looking forward to visiting our nations capitol. I had this cool city in mind with lots to see and do. I parked my car by these neat fountains and got out to look around and wasn't even half a block away when I looked back someone was IN MY VAN!

I ran back yelling but they had already stolen some of my stuff. I was crushed. How could this happen in our nations capitol??

I did nothing to these people. I just drove on disillusioned at the whole scene.

I got robbed again in Massachusettes on the same trip and that was after being treated rudely by everyone in New York City.

I don't have much desire to travel back to the East anymore.

I don't understand the culture very well.

-Russell

NurseGirlKaren · Sep 25, 2002

Sounds like a rough trip!! I don't blame you for not coming back. Never been to NM, but I'd sure like to--hopefully my trip west will be better than your trip east!

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 25, 2002

I join Russell..I would not live in DC on a bet. best of luck to you who do.

NurseGirlKaren · Sep 25, 2002

The suburban Md area is nice (IMO), well...except for the traffic. Oh yeah, and the cost of living is pretty steep. But it's home for me. DC, however, is another story...

-jt · Sep 26, 2002

Does anyone have any info (career wise) about the above hospital?>

The RNs went on strike for over 2 months with their union - the DC Nurses Association/UAN/AFL-CIO - in 2000 at that facility. The issues were pt care, staffing, & forced overtime. The RNs ultimately were successful in obtaining what they needed. You can read about the settlement they negotiated with the facility by going to: http://nursingworld.org/pressrel/2000/prdcna.htm

That is the website of the American Nurses Assoc. If you want to more about the strike itself, do a search for Washington Hospital Center at that site & all the press releases on it will come up.

For more info regarding life as an RN working there, the union contract at that facility, items and benefits that you would be entitled to, you can also call the District Of Columbia Nurses Association & speak to the RN rep who covers that hospital.

She can tell you what the contract reads as far as the staffing ratios or guidelines, salaries, or anything else you want to know.

Good luck in your new job.