Help out a Murse (male nurse)?

U.S.A. Ohio

Published

Hello,

I was hoping someone might give me advice on Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. I'm moving there as a new grad in December, and I'm trying to decide which institution to work for. If anyone has any info on salary, shifts, orientation for new grads etc, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

Specializes in ED.

I was also concerned that UH has a ratio of 2-3, especially as a new graduate. Granted, the most likely scenario will consist of 1 very critical and 2 less critical, but in the ICU setting those 2 can turn very critical at any time. We'll see how the interviews go.

PLEASE check out your intended unit carefully before signing on the dotted line. The scenario you mentioned above is the ideal...but it is NOT, and I repeat *NOT* reality! TALK to the unit nurses a little bit and you will see. The units are a VERY overwhelming place to start as a new grad. Everyone always wants to go there, but it is INTENSE. You will get an orientation, but you must be able to think and fly by the seat of your pants and have outstanding critical thinking skills and prioritization skills. You must become familiar with all the equipment used in the units very rapidly. You are typically going to do ALOT on your own, even in orientation, because your preceptor will be busy and you will be short staffed. REMEMBER...it is YOUR license. I have not personally worked in the units because I am a certified trauma junkie and stick to the trauma rooms in the ER, but I know the units in most hospitals have a dickens of a time keeping staff because they employ nurses that are not experienced and have no idea what they're walking into. The reason they employ inexperienced nurses and new grads in the units is because the turn over rate is huge and it is a matter of hiring anyone they can to fill the staffing requirements. In hospitals that have a stable and happy staff, they will not hire new grads into ANY critical care setting (MICU, CICU, ER, PICU, SICU etc).

I wish you good luck in your job selection! Look over you options carefully in all facilities before making your choice. Any hospital will be happy to have you, so the choice is yours! Be careful though so your choice doesn't end up biting you in the backside.

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PLEASE check out your intended unit carefully before signing on the dotted line. The scenario you mentioned above is the ideal...but it is NOT, and I repeat *NOT* reality! TALK to the unit nurses a little bit and you will see. The units are a VERY overwhelming place to start as a new grad. Everyone always wants to go there, but it is INTENSE. You will get an orientation, but you must be able to think and fly by the seat of your pants and have outstanding critical thinking skills and prioritization skills. You must become familiar with all the equipment used in the units very rapidly. You are typically going to do ALOT on your own, even in orientation, because your preceptor will be busy and you will be short staffed. REMEMBER...it is YOUR license. I have not personally worked in the units because I am a certified trauma junkie and stick to the trauma rooms in the ER, but I know the units in most hospitals have a dickens of a time keeping staff because they employ nurses that are not experienced and have no idea what they're walking into. The reason they employ inexperienced nurses and new grads in the units is because the turn over rate is huge and it is a matter of hiring anyone they can to fill the staffing requirements. In hospitals that have a stable and happy staff, they will not hire new grads into ANY critical care setting (MICU, CICU, ER, PICU, SICU etc).

I wish you good luck in your job selection! Look over you options carefully in all facilities before making your choice. Any hospital will be happy to have you, so the choice is yours! Be careful though so your choice doesn't end up biting you in the backside.

All this is true, but I just have to say that Metro (which seems to employ many happy nurses, whom also have a voice in the institution) do hire new graduates into the critical setting: SICU, CCU, MICU etc. As far as the turnover rate, I'm sure that is also true. But these hospital systems are also Magnet certified, and turnover rate is one of the considerations for this achievement. Surely it can't be that high?

I do plan on "interviewing" a couple unit nurses (if possible for a couple minutes), but I guess I'm skeptical on how honest they'll really be. Never know who's listening over your shoulder you know?

Well thanks again for all of your advice on the matter, I will definitely put some of it to use in the coming days.

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Specializes in ED.

Magnet status is not what you think it is. I am told it can be bought for about $250,000.00 by an average size hospital. I would have never believed it, but found out from the horses mouth that it is true. I also wondered how Magnet hospitals had such a high turnover rate and then I found that out. Make your decision on what YOU personally observe at the hospitals you interview at. Many of the hospitals in this area are Magnet. CCF includes all of their suburban hospitals under their Magnet umbrella, and UH probably does as well. Several of the independent hospitals all have Magnet status. Magnet hospitals are a dime a dozen around here.

Metro is an excellent choice for a place to work. You will be exposed to patient care in that hospital that you just won't see in so many other facilities. Their pay is a little lower, but they more than make up for that in benefits. Their staff is happier and the work environment better. Check out the burn unit. They do incredible work there!

As far as Metro hiring new grads or inexperienced staff into their units...that comes and goes. Sometimes they do (when short staffed) and sometimes they don't. Keep an eye on their website. They're pretty good about keeping it updated with job postings. Of course they try to fill all open positions from within first and then post to outsiders if needed.

Also, keep in mind that if you accept a job at CCF and it doesn't work out, you are obligated to that position in that hospital for 1 year and cannot transfer out of that unit or out of that hospital (without leaving CCF) for that year. Other hospitals may have a similar policy. Another thing to check out when interviewing.

Good luck to you!

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I work in an ICU at UH and have friends who work at both Metro and the Clinic. Most of the nurses with whom I work really like UH and our unit has a low turnover rate. I started there as a new grad and thought that their 20 week orientation program was more than satisfactory to prepare me as a new RN. I have ample opportunities for bonus contracts for working either straight nights, weekends, and for overtime premium pay. I also have recieved bonuses for obtaining my CCRN and rention bonuses. UH is affiliated with Case Western so if you are thinking about grad school there you would have an easy transition since you will already know the UH system. PM me if you would like any more info.

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I realize this topic maybe a bit stale....but here's my 2cents. My wife is an ICU agency nurse and she refuses to go to the cleveland clinic hospital system. She really didn't like it there, however she has no problems going UH system in cleveland. Since she is agency, I can't really speak to what the orientation or pay scale is for there. I do know agency gets paid a pretty nice salary about 50% more than what a staff nurse makes in the same position for ICU. The downside is no benefits :uhoh21:

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