I need some information. Please help me

KnarfKS · Sep 27, 2007

I work at KU, I know they are always looking for neuro ICU people.

After coming out of school I decided I would only work in 1 of 3 places. Truman ER...would be very interesting. Or St. Lukes or KU.

I have friends who work at shawnee mission as well and they seem to like it, but they are floor nurses, I'm not certain about the ICU's.

I would personally stay away from HCA's I worked for one as a tech while in nursing school, I thought it was a bad environment. Almost completely staffed by agency. They paid well, but it wasn't worth it.

Almost all of the decent hospitals pay about the same, maybe + or - 50 cents an hour.

St. Lukes, KU and St. Joseph are magnet hospitals...probably better working conditions.

Honestly I would say St. Lukes and KU are the best hospitals, that is just my opinion, but many people share my feelings as well.

Just remember there are hospitals that pay better, but they have to in order to get people to work there, there is a reason for that.

Lillyjohn · Oct 6, 2007

I work at KU, I know they are always looking for neuro ICU people.
After coming out of school I decided I would only work in 1 of 3 places. Truman ER...would be very interesting. Or St. Lukes or KU.
I have friends who work at shawnee mission as well and they seem to like it, but they are floor nurses, I'm not certain about the ICU's.
I would personally stay away from HCA's I worked for one as a tech while in nursing school, I thought it was a bad environment. Almost completely staffed by agency. They paid well, but it wasn't worth it.
Almost all of the decent hospitals pay about the same, maybe + or - 50 cents an hour.
St. Lukes, KU and St. Joseph are magnet hospitals...probably better working conditions.
Honestly I would say St. Lukes and KU are the best hospitals, that is just my opinion, but many people share my feelings as well.
Just remember there are hospitals that pay better, but they have to in order to get people to work there, there is a reason for that.

Hi Knarfks,

Thank you so much for your reply. I would like to work in both KU & St.Luke's. But i would like to do my CRNA in future. Could you please share your ideas whether any of these facilities will support their staff with their further education? Because i hope since KU is an university hospital, they will help their staff? What about St.Luke's? Have you got any suggestions for me?If possible please share with me.

Thanks

Lilly.

KnarfKS · Oct 8, 2007

I don't know about St. Lukes, but KU offers to pay for 6 credit hours a semester if you are full time. I'm currently finishing my bachelors right now. I bet St. Lukes offers something very similar. My department is fairly flexible with scheduling for classes as well. They are both magnet hospitals so it makes them look good to have a higher level of education for their nurses as well. I would say that KU is very supportive and actually wants you to continue your education. Both hospitals offer a load of CEU's so you should never have to pay for them.

hopefully this may help

Lillyjohn · Oct 9, 2007

I don't know about St. Lukes, but KU offers to pay for 6 credit hours a semester if you are full time. I'm currently finishing my bachelors right now. I bet St. Lukes offers something very similar. My department is fairly flexible with scheduling for classes as well. They are both magnet hospitals so it makes them look good to have a higher level of education for their nurses as well. I would say that KU is very supportive and actually wants you to continue your education. Both hospitals offer a load of CEU's so you should never have to pay for them.
hopefully this may help

Hi KnarfKS,

Thanks again for your response. Here is my next question. When i tried to apply for online job in KU Med website, they are asking for BLS certification.I got one from my last employer,but it expired(i hope it should be updated every year). So if i want to work in KU Med Hospital, do i need to get one or can i use the one i got now? Please reply. So that i can get a new one before my interview.

Can you tell me what should i ask the employer on my interview day because this is my first time i'm gonna work in USA & i really don't know about the basic salary for my years of experience. How much i should ask them? What are the benefits they provide normally? & what are the benefits really we need & choose?

Could you please clarify me those doubts? & if you know please tell me the nurse, patient ratio in KU Med Neuro ICU & the shifts?

When you got time please answer my questions.

Thanks in advance

Lilly.

Thanks

Lilly.

KnarfKS · Oct 10, 2007

you might call them about the BLS, they may have an opening, you must have it before you can even step on the floor legally. If it is expired it is useless, but they typically last 2 years.

I'm uncertain of the wages because I don't know your experience, and I'm only a 2nd year nurse so I just get their set rates for raises. As far as the benefits go, they are set, you simply decide during orientation which option you will take, the PPO is actually cheaper than the HMO, I only pay $24 biweekly for very good insurance(single, no family). They have dental for $3 a paycheck as well. They offer all sorts of things, life insurance, cancer insurance, short term disability. I honestly only see a use in the dental and health insurance personally, but you may want the others.

The shifts are 12 hour shifts, 7am-7pm, 7pm-7am.

I would imagine the ratio to be 1, 2 or 3 patients per nurse, but honestly I don't know. That is what it is in the other ICU's depending on the patients.

BTW Check your personal messages for the board.

Lillyjohn · Oct 22, 2007

you might call them about the BLS, they may have an opening, you must have it before you can even step on the floor legally. If it is expired it is useless, but they typically last 2 years.
I'm uncertain of the wages because I don't know your experience, and I'm only a 2nd year nurse so I just get their set rates for raises. As far as the benefits go, they are set, you simply decide during orientation which option you will take, the PPO is actually cheaper than the HMO, I only pay $24 biweekly for very good insurance(single, no family). They have dental for $3 a paycheck as well. They offer all sorts of things, life insurance, cancer insurance, short term disability. I honestly only see a use in the dental and health insurance personally, but you may want the others.
The shifts are 12 hour shifts, 7am-7pm, 7pm-7am.
I would imagine the ratio to be 1, 2 or 3 patients per nurse, but honestly I don't know. That is what it is in the other ICU's depending on the patients.
BTW Check your personal messages for the board.

Hi KnarfKS,

Thank you so much for your mail. We had been out of station for a while,so i couldn't check mails. We came back on yesterday & seen your mail.Thanks & if i get my job in KU,definitely i'll do that.Sorry for the delayed reply.

Thanks.

Lilly

Kcsnoopdogg · Nov 5, 2007

Hi. I work at Menorah Medical Center, but for an internist, not for the hospital itself. I can say that my nurse friends that work there are pretty happy. It is clean, and very attractive. The staff is good. The nurse to patient ratio varies, but when walking patients to rooms, radiology, etc., there is never craziness going on. It is very laid back. As with most hospitals, your pay will depend mostly on your experience. If you are a new grad, you are going to make much less than someone who applies, that has been working as an RN for 10 years. Truman Medical Center is where you will learn the most. You will see everything, and when I say everything, I mean it. It is very busy, and very chaotic, but like I said, you will learn a lot in a little amount of time. St. Lukes and KU are also great hospitals. One to stay away from is Overland Park Regional. The hours are long, and the nurses aren't happy there. St. Joseph Health Center is in MO (same as Truman), but right on State Line (which means it is not a far drive at all if you are in this area. Let me know how things go. Welcome to Kansas, glad to have you here. Write me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. I would be glad to help in any way I can. Julie