Hershey Medical Center NICU

hersheynurse · Mar 19, 2008

I have been a nurse at Hershey for 2 years now. I originally was hired for NICU and it was the whole reason I relocated to the area. The position was for 5 8hr night shifts a week and every other weekend. The manger agreed to allow me to work monday thru friday night instead of every other weekend but after I moved and right before I was to start she told me I would have to work every other weekend no exceptions and my two nights off in the week may not ever be consecutive. I spoked to HR and instead took a position that was 3 12's and that suited me much better.

After I started at the med center I heard a lot of negative things about NICU that made me very glad I changed to another unit. Since the hospital is unionized every is under the laws of seniority. A NICU nurse that was transferring to my unit told me new nurses can not expect to get a week off during the summer or holidays because all the senior nurses put their time in and get approved ahead of you. You also have to wait a very long time to get a 12 hr shift position as the senior nurses have those. I got the impression that a bunch of nurses who had been there for a very long time have made it difficult for newer nurses.

Keep in mind that was 2.5 years ago and things may be different. I would ask during your interview about time off and the turn over rate. Keep an eye on the job board also as frequent openings may give you a clue.

Good luck!