Hi all, I will be starting MCI's nursing program soon. Excited about this opportunity (after being a CNA & Med Aid), I shared the news with some friends of the family who work in various hospitals in the VB/Norfolk area.
I was told as a MCI grad, I would have a difficult time finding work at any of the local hospitals because MCI's program is not taken as seriously as some of the other programs and usually HR hires new grad's from other colleges first, and then MCI grad's as last choices to fill left over openings. That basically if I go through MCI to be prepared for a career in LTC. Don't get me wrong, I worked as Cert Med Aid for almost 15 years in several LTC facilities & loved working in all of them. You really get attached to residents and begin thinking of them as Grandma/Pa and their families become your family. As much as I loved LTC, I would prefer to work at a VA Hospital.
I'm not sure if these "nurses" were serious, or were they just venting their own thoughts of what they think about MCI's program, because they were grad's of traditional colleges & universities. (their kind of nose in the air type people anyway, so I usually take what they say with a grain of salt - but I don't want to make a $35k bad decision).
So I guess my question to MCI grads (and maybe HR or Nurse Managers in the Norfolk/VB area if you're lurking ) what facilities in the area are you working in as new MCI Grads. Have you had any problems in regards to what school you chose to get your degree, has it ever come up during interviews? Would love to know if anyone is over at the VA Hospital in Hampton, and if during your interview your 'choice of school' was brought up
Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on the subject!! :twocents:
Specializes in Surgical Trauma Burn ICU, Oncology.
well i'm not even going to bother arguing about this with you since you work in med/surg and really have no idea what you're talking about regarding how "stable" the pt is coming into the ER vs. several hours later when they're in the STICU....people with life threatening injuries don't just become "stable" over the course of X amt of hours..
I have in the past and currently work with MCI educated nurses on my unit. I am very impressed with their skill and professionalism. Yes the program is very expensive, however the program (as with any) is what you make of it. MCI is accelerated and takes a very motivated person to get through the challenging courses. As a participant on our unit's hiring panel, the interview impression is what tends to get you the position. Good Luck with any choice of education you make. Just remember to study hard and always be professional and passionate for nursing.
(after being a CNA & Med Aid), I shared the news with some friends of the family who work in various hospitals in the VB/Norfolk area.
That basically if I go through MCI to be prepared for a career in LTC. Don't get me wrong, I worked as Cert Med Aid for almost 15 years in several LTC facilities & loved working in all of them. You really get attached to residents and begin thinking of them as Grandma/Pa and their families become your family. As much as I loved LTC, I would prefer to work at a VA Hospital. 
:twocents:
carolina4
65 Posts
well i'm not even going to bother arguing about this with you since you work in med/surg and really have no idea what you're talking about regarding how "stable" the pt is coming into the ER vs. several hours later when they're in the STICU....people with life threatening injuries don't just become "stable" over the course of X amt of hours..