Hospital experience in the Triad

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Hello RN friends,

I am currently in my first RN job here in Cleveland at the Cleveland Clinic on one of their cardiac stepdown floors. I am possibly thinking of moving down to NC, specifically the R-D area. My father lives in Burlington. I know the major players in the state are Duke and UNC.

UNC is a state job correct? How is the pay, benefits, shift diff at both hospitals? I know it isnt expensive to live down in NC for the most part.

Anyone or anybody with experience at either or if they know anyone who works at either any and all feedback is appreciated!

Thanks.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

There is WakMed, too (which has an affiliation with UNC) as well as REX, who also has a closer tie with UNC. Lots of people say that UNC pays way better but with the wide variety of facilities, it depends on where you might fit. The $ is not all that different. I am a Dukie and love it. I did a large portion of my clinicals and been a pt at REX and both were great experiences. WakeMed is closest, geographically and I love there pediatric ED. They all have their pros and cons, it depends on where you might feel comfortable. All of the big three have great cardiac units. As an experienced cardiac nurse, you should be able to pick what you want! It is a great area wherever you end up :)

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I interviewed at Duke with one year of experience and I was flat out insulted by the pay rate there. I make $3/hr more in the Winston-Salem/Greensboro metro area than I would have at Duke. The UNC system's pay rate is comparable to what I make now.

I think Duke expects you to take a lower pay rate for the privilege of having their name on your resume. They also make you pay for parking.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

There is more to Duke than "the privilege of having Duke on your resume" It is a great facility that gets the sickest of the sick pts that no one else will take. Not sure what you expected with one year of experience.

And, there are different areas to park. $8/month is not a bank breaker.

Not sure when you applied, but they have made a market adjustment in pay.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Less than what I pay a month haha. I pay like $25-30/month here at the clinic. CC was the same way up here until they finally realized people would leave after 1 yr because other area hospitals paid more.

If I had a choice though id probably lean towards UNC or the VA since my military time goes toward retirement.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have a friend with 10+ years Army and it has taken her along time to get a foot in the door at the VA. Fed gigs are good. My hubby is TSA. I have no idea what it is like to work for VA. I have heard mixed things about all the other area hospitals. I think it depends on your fit. I am happy where I am at.

Good Luck to you!!!!

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Thanks! I am happy where I am at as well but it would be foolish to try not getting in since I already have 4 years of military service. The VA here in Cleveland is very good, basically the Cleveland Clinic of the VA system. They do just about every cardiac procedure there and id like to stay in the cardiac field.

[stylishgurl]

It's true that Duke offer the lowest pay rate in the triangle despite of market salary adjusment. Dollars is not always the priority for some you have to find which best fit your needs work life balance benefits schedule experience and working environment.Good luck.

[PaulBaxter]

If you plan on living in or near Burlington, then the Cone Health system is going to be your closest option. They have hospitals in and around Greensboro, including on in Burlington (Alamance Regional). I'm still a nursing student, but this system is where I have been doing my clinical rotations so far. The nurses there seem overall fairly happy. They just aren't affiliated with a university.

I'll also add that Alamance County is a very nice place to live, IMHO.