Hospitals in Orange County - Saddleback, UCI

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Any experience or thoughts on hospitals you do or don't like in OC? I am looking at Saddleback and UCI in particular, but am open to suggestions. Thanks!

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Any experience or thoughts on hospitals you do or don't like in OC? I am looking at Saddleback and UCI in particular, but am open to suggestions. Thanks!

Hi, I am a registry RN with years of experience in local hospitals. I have worked at both that you mentioned. First, what area do you want to work in?

UCI is going to be moving to a new facility, the pay is not great, benefits are below area standards and they have a contract which you must sign. The employee parking lot is across a busy street in a very unsafe area and the patient popuation is pretty dodgey.

Saddleback is very nice for L and D and you will also be treating a lot of older patients. The facility is OK, but for the area I would try Mission over Saddleback, only because it is a great facility with happy employees and the cross training is paid for and encouraged. They also have in house registry which offers a lot of flexibility as well as higher pay.

I have had unpleasant experiences at Hoag and South Coast in Laguna is nice but a lousy cafeteria, bring your own food or starve!

Any of the Tenent facilities will currently be a disappointment, low pay and lower morale. You will also be contacted 24/7 on your days off to come in and cover so don't give out your cell phone number!!

Hope this helps. Let us know what you find ...

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Hi, I am a registry RN with years of experience in local hospitals. I have worked at both that you mentioned. First, what area do you want to work in?

UCI is going to be moving to a new facility, the pay is not great, benefits are below area standards and they have a contract which you must sign. The employee parking lot is across a busy street in a very unsafe area and the patient popuation is pretty dodgey.

Saddleback is very nice for L and D and you will also be treating a lot of older patients. The facility is OK, but for the area I would try Mission over Saddleback, only because it is a great facility with happy employees and the cross training is paid for and encouraged. They also have in house registry which offers a lot of flexibility as well as higher pay.

I have had unpleasant experiences at Hoag and South Coast in Laguna is nice but a lousy cafeteria, bring your own food or starve!

Any of the Tenent facilities will currently be a disappointment, low pay and lower morale. You will also be contacted 24/7 on your days off to come in and cover so don't give out your cell phone number!!

Hope this helps. Let us know what you find ...

Thank you so much Haunted! Your post is full of great info. I sent in an application to Mission on your recommendation. Thanks again!

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Take a very extensive tour of the entire facility BEFORE you commit!!! Very, very important. I would also suggest either part time or per diem to start out, especially with new grad orientation. If you feel comfortable, you can ask for additional shifts or transition into full time. This holds true with any facility you choose. Keep in touch and take us with you on your journey!!!

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Any experience or thoughts on hospitals you do or don't like in OC? I am looking at Saddleback and UCI in particular, but am open to suggestions. Thanks!

I used to work at Saddleback. Alot of geriatric patients, but really enjoyed working there.

I have friends at UCI, and did my surgery training there. Excellent teaching hospital, and you will see alot of things you won't see at Saddleback.

I think it depends on what type of nursing you want to go into.

Good luck!

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I am looking for L&D. I applied at Mission, but haven't heard back. I have interviews at Saddleback and UCI. Any idea what the new grad starting salaries are in O.C. (Saddleback and UCI in particular???)? I was offered 25/hr in San Diego, a bit low IMO...

Thanks!

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It depends, as far as your hourly rate on whether you go with a benefit package, etc. If you go for a per diem package you will have a higher rate of pay as well as greater flexability. My advice, since you have not heard back, is to continue to contact Mission daily, and keep us updated. Did you go on a tour? How was your interview? Maybe you don't want to limit yourself to just L and D right now, remember you are new and will be in orientation anyway.

Keep in touch!

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Still haven't heard back from Mission. Should I follow up with the recruiter or call the LND unit directly?

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Always go back to the person you interviewed with because, when you do eventually get hired and you go through someone else to push it along it may appear that you went "behind their back) to get in. If you took your tour, and have the L and D Unit Director's card which you should have been provided during this tour, you can always drop a call evry now and then thanking her, or him for their time and mention how very impressed you were with the "warmth, professionalism, etc, etc" of the unit and how much you are looking forward to becoming a member of the team.

Have you considered Med/Surg as an interim position? You have a lot of options right now as a new grad and you will be placed, it takes a lot of persistance though to get where you really want to be. Just like in nursing school right?

Thanks for the update.

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Hi Haunted,

I haven't actually spoken with anyone at Mission yet. Just received an email back from the recuiter after I sent my resume. I am not considering Med-Surg (yet!) because I went back to school specifically to become a labor nurse.

Thanks for all of your advice!

Newgrad2005

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Hi Newbie! I would follow up with a phone call requesting an interview and a tour of the facility. They do have a very nice L and D department but low turnover. For specialty units like that, you may enjoy Hoag as they have a brand new Woman's hospital that just went up. Lot's of OBG action. Otherwise, I found several Hoag nurses to be very catty and not very supportive of newbies and orientees on the med/surg, ortho and overflow units.

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Both interviews went very well and I got offers from both hospitals. Both are night positions, however :( I am still waiting to hear from Mission.

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