Hospitals in Orange County - Saddleback, UCI

newgrad2005 · Apr 14, 2005

Yippee yippee yippee I spoke with a recruiter at Mission today! She said there's an OB position currently available and it looks like they have a great new grad program. She is forwarding on my info and hopefully I will hear from the unit manager in the next couple of days!!!

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.

jdmatty · Apr 15, 2005

When I was in nursing school, I had rotations at both Saddleback and UCI. At Saddleback I was on the med-surg floor. Computer charting was good and the floor is organized. At UCI, I had my NICU, PICU and pediatric rotations. Really liked it. I've also heard their mother-baby unit is nice. I have only worked as a nurse at Hoag Hospital, which I feel is better than most. Good luck with your search.

AviatrixRN · Apr 16, 2005

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.

Hi Newgrad,

Congrats on the interviews! I will be graduating in Dec. and am looking at the local OC hospitals. Saddleback in particular. Can you tell me what your interviews were like. What kind of questions do they ask? Do they offer you a position on the spot? Thanks for any info and good luck to you!

newgrad2005 · Apr 16, 2005

Hi AviatrixUA,

I don't currently live in So Cal, so my first interviews were over the phone. Basically the questions were "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to work here?" I really liked both managers that I spoke with and the interviews were pretty informal and conversational. The "2nd interviews" were more just tours and we talked a little about specifics about the position (pay, hours, scheduling, etc.) One hospital offered me the position on the spot and the other hospital had to complete a background check first, and called me the next week to offer me the position.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your job search! Maybe we'll be co-workers!!

AviatrixRN · Apr 16, 2005

Hi AviatrixUA,
I don't currently live in So Cal, so my first interviews were over the phone. Basically the questions were "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to work here?" I really liked both managers that I spoke with and the interviews were pretty informal and conversational. The "2nd interviews" were more just tours and we talked a little about specifics about the position (pay, hours, scheduling, etc.) One hospital offered me the position on the spot and the other hospital had to complete a background check first, and called me the next week to offer me the position.
I hope this helps. Good luck with your job search! Maybe we'll be co-workers!!

Hi again!

Thanks for the quick response. Doesn't sound to intimidating..Let us know what you decide on..

Take care!

Haunted · Apr 18, 2005

When I was in nursing school, I had rotations at both Saddleback and UCI. At Saddleback I was on the med-surg floor. Computer charting was good and the floor is organized. At UCI, I had my NICU, PICU and pediatric rotations. Really liked it. I've also heard their mother-baby unit is nice. I have only worked as a nurse at Hoag Hospital, which I feel is better than most. Good luck with your search.

Just curious, why do you think Hoag is better than most? Can you give some examples? Thanks

Haunted · Apr 18, 2005

Hi AviatrixUA,
I don't currently live in So Cal, so my first interviews were over the phone. Basically the questions were "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to work here?" I really liked both managers that I spoke with and the interviews were pretty informal and conversational. The "2nd interviews" were more just tours and we talked a little about specifics about the position (pay, hours, scheduling, etc.) One hospital offered me the position on the spot and the other hospital had to complete a background check first, and called me the next week to offer me the position.
I hope this helps. Good luck with your job search! Maybe we'll be co-workers!!

YEAH BABY!!!!!

newgrad2005 · Apr 19, 2005

Does anyone know anything about St. Joseph Hospital in Orange? I haven't heard much about it...Thanks!

jdmatty · Apr 23, 2005

Just curious, why do you think Hoag is better than most? Can you give some examples? Thanks

Sure. Management attempts to work with staff through committee forums. In that regard, we have been able to get competitive salaries and implement policy changes without the need of a union. Good staffing ratios. Good benefits. Clean hospital. High standards. Clinical ladder program. Professional development, i.e., tuition reimbursement, etc. Why? Have you had a different experience?

jdmatty · Apr 23, 2005

Just curious, why do you think Hoag is better than most? Can you give some examples? Thanks

It sounds like you didn't have a good experience. Are you on staff at Hoag? Anyway, as far as staff interaction goes, dealing with a lot of women can be difficult, and I think it takes time to be accepted. I experienced that when I worked float pool and went to different areas of the hospital every day. Once you find a place and group of nurses you like, I think staff interaction improves. As far as benefits, I think we have good benefits, professional development, (i.e., clinical ladder/tuition reimbursement), clean environment, good staffing, pay increases without the need for a union, etc. What are your thoughts?

Haunted · Jun 8, 2005

I have been going to Haog through outside registry for over 5 years now. My area was usually med/surg, ortho, day hospital and I found the hours I prefer (7-3) to be plentiful, however some staffers where less than helpful and I was not alone in noting that registry nurses were considered "low end" and a lot of blame game went on.

Most of the charge nurses, with the exception of 1 east , were very friendly and supportive but again, overall, if something went wrong, they were all quick to pin it on registry.

I had a patient die about 1 hour into my shift one day. She had broken her arm on a sunday afternoon and had been in a "holding pattern" for an ORIF to set it, whatever happened, it was a mess with her arm immobilized in a soft splint, beefy red and swollen. Well, she threw a clot and died of a massive MI on her way back from the bathroom. This was THURSDAY!!!

Everyone who responded to the code turned and started YELLING at me!!! "Why did you let her sit here for 4 days???" etc. I was astonished that the nursing staff would behave so unprofessionally in front of other patients and staff and refused to be put on the defensive. Everyone involved got the usual "debriefing" and I was basically pushed into the hallway while fingers were pointed at me.

In the end, the family sued, I met with attorneys on both sides and told them exactly what had transpired, my actions and assesments and did not apologize or become emotional. It was discovered that the charge nurse had altered my charting to reflect that the patient had complained of chest pain and SOB to the assessing RN who had failed to alert the MD. Fortunately I had made a copy of my hard paper which had been dated and timed and placed in the chart so that goes to show what lengths some people will do to registry.

It was interesting to discover that this patient had been assigned primarily to registry throughout her admission.

Other than that and a few other experiences I have had there, I can say that the food in the cafeteria is great and my son had a positive experience when he was being treated for a ruptured appendix!

fergus51 · Jun 8, 2005

That is horrible Haunted!!! Did you follow up the charting incident with the BON? There is no way that charge nurse should have a license. I considered HOAG but the pay was low compared to my other job offers... I'm glad I didn't wind up there now.