Memorial vs. St. Joe's/Candler (ED)

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Hi all,

I have been working as an RN since graduating with my BSN in 2013, for a year in home care/ hospice and for the past 2.5 years on a Med/Surg tele unit. I'm moving to Savannah, GA and have offers from Memorial ED, St. Joe's PCU, and Candler ED. I'm wondering what the general opinion/ stereotypes are between the two EDs and which I should pick. The level I trauma center at Memorial is a bit intimidating and I'm wondering if I would thrive more over at Candler.. kind of a big fish/ little pond situation. Any information you can provide on comparisons between the two EDs (or even just the hospital systems in general) would be extremely helpful. Thank you!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

First, I hope you love Savannah! I lived there while in the Army and for a little while after I got out of the Army, and I miss it very much.

I have worked for both SJ/C and Memorial, loved both systems but for different reasons. I worked at Memorial about 6 months after coming home from Afghanistan because I missed the crazy trauma, and I loved the staff there. The patient population can be a bit rough, as you can imagine with a Level 1, but it was good. Pay wasn't really worth it for me, though — SJ/C was paying more. I ended up taking an ER float position and floating between SJ and Candler's ERs just PRN - 6 weeks in one, 6 weeks in the other. I think between the two I preferred SJ's ER, but Candler wasn't bad either. SJ opened a new ER recently, they were just starting to plan it when I left — I heard it's very nice!! Candler's facility is a little older, but it has some smart features, like a dispo area and an assigned dispo nurse who discharges those patients when everything is back. I don't know much about SJ's PCU, unfortunately. I think at this point SJ/C is a little more financially stable than Memorial, so that's something to consider. If you Google "Memorial Savannah" and "Novant," you can read about the merger/acquisition deal that went south.

The three hospitals end up with very different patient populations, which is interesting. SJ is located more on the south side of Savannah and near Armstrong State University and Hunter Army Airfield, so sometimes younger folks, but it is also a heart/stroke place and also their heavy-hitting surgery area (heart, neuro, ortho, vascular, etc.). Candler births babies, SJ doesn't. St. Joe's and Candler are part of the same system, but they are very different hospitals in my experience.

Since you don't have ER experience, is Memorial or Candler offering you an extended orientation?

Good luck, wherever you end up! :)

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Thank you so much, that is EXACTLY what I was looking for!! I'm moving down to GA to be with my s/o, and both places are only offering nights, so I'm wondering if the stress of Memorial would be a lot on top of being on a completely different schedule than him. I would rather accept the position at Candler but I think it's funny that you made more at St. Joe's/Candler because Memorial is offering me a significant amount more. I really appreciate your feedback!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Did Memorial ask you to sign a contract or anything? They were doing 4 years at one point, but it might have only been for new grads, not just those new to the ER. It's funny, the systems in Savannah do go back and forth with how much they pay. I mentioned it in another thread here recently (https://allnurses.com/georgia-nursing/best-place-to-1095368.html) that nurses often get raises by leaving one system for the other. In 2014 I was offered $7/hr more by SJ/C than Memorial, before differentials. The differentials were higher at Memorial than SJ/C at the time.

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Memorial offered relocation reimbursement if I agree to a two year contract and Candler offered a potential sign on bonus also with a two year minimum commitment. I think there's only a two week difference between the orientation periods. At this point Memorial is offering a higher base pay AND higher differentials. Memorial would be a pretty decent pay increase for me whereas Candler would be a pay cut, I just can't help but feeling like I would be happier at Candler at this point...

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I would caution you against tying yourself anywhere with a contractual obligation, some of the folks I know who signed those were ultimately miserable. I think it is a pretty sure bet that if you take the Candler job and ultimately don't like it, Memorial will still have openings. It's great that you have multiple offers! :) And it is surprising that Memorial is offering so much more given their stability issues, that makes me happy for those I know who work there. If you choose Memorial you will really see it all, and then some. The guy who is their clinical educator is great too.

Tough choices! Lol. Memorial's ER is relatively new, they opened the new one in 2015. Candler's ER is a little dated but better than some ERs I have seen.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I definitely would not sign a contract if at all possible. The float pool at Memorial has an $11/hr weekend night diff. You set your own schedule and work as many shifts as you want (they are really needing help).

So, I'd try that first (if you're considering Memorial) before signing any contract with them. That'll help you determine if you like the system there, and give you the flexibility to enjoy the area, while making the money you need. Also, you'd be able to sign up for days and/or nights...not commit to one or the other.

Just my added two cents:)

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Can anyone share more on the shift differentials at these hospitals?

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