Mountain State Health Alliance and Covenant Health

Southern Belle RN · Jan 25, 2005

My husband and I are moving to either Johnson City, Knoxville or somewhere in between. So far I have been in contact with recruitors from both these organizations. Does anyone have any experience or information about them? Any comments will be greatly appreciated. We're visiting in March so I can interview and tour a few hospitals.

Hello, I live near Knoxville and I have worked for Covenant Health. It is a good system with good benefits.It is one of the largest in the area as well, with good wages paid. I would say make a good decision when you choose a position with them because the recruiter is nice but he can & will turn on you if you rub him the wrong way. :uhoh3:

Lesi RN

Southern Belle RN · Jan 25, 2005

My husband and I are moving to either Johnson City, Knoxville or somewhere in between. So far I have been in contact with recruitors from both these organizations. Does anyone have any experience or information about them? Any comments will be greatly appreciated. We're visiting in March so I can interview and tour a few hospitals.

Hello, I live near Knoxville and I have worked for Covenant Health. It is a good system with good benefits.It is one of the largest in the area as well, with good wages paid. I would say make a good decision when you choose a position with them because the recruiter is nice but he can & will turn on you if you rub him the wrong way. :uhoh3:

Lesi RN

SABOOTHECAT · Feb 8, 2005

I AM CURRENTLY WORKING AT MSHA IN JOHNSON CITY. IT'S A BIG HOSPITAL AND EASY TO GET LOST, BUT YOU EVENTUALLY FIND YOUR WAY AROUND. EVERYBODY SEEMS NICE HERE. IF YOU NEED ANY ADVICE JUST WRITE AWAY.

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

I'm really interested in MSHA and would really appreciate if you could answer any of these questions.

Do they accept new grads into Critical Care areas: ER, ICU, or NICU?

If not what are the pt ratio's on the M/S floor?

Do they do team nursing?

What are the uniform codes?

What is the new grad pay?

What is the average pay for an experienced nurse?

How are raises earned?

How much do you like working there?

Thanks!

southern rn · Feb 14, 2005

i worked there my first year out of school and now work for a different hospital in their system. at the time i was there they did take new grads in critical care. no they do not do team nursing it is more of a primary approach. i really don't know the pay for new grads and stuff. they should have a nurse recruiter you could talk to though. i actually did like it there very much. the hospital also just got it's magnet status if that means anything.

southern_rn_brat · Feb 14, 2005

Knoxville here!

Covenant is a great company. Very good benefits. The ParkWest facility is just finishing up building a whole new hospital! I worked for them and was very impressed.

Check out St Mary's too. That's who I currently work for and I feel like I have found my home until I retire :) . My mom says that working with the nuns has got to put me in better with the Big Guy too:p .

TMPaul · Feb 14, 2005

Hello, I live near Knoxville and I have worked for Covenant Health. It is a good system with good benefits.It is one of the largest in the area as well, with good wages paid. I would say make a good decision when you choose a position with them because the recruiter is nice but he can & will turn on you if you rub him the wrong way.
Lesi RN

Hi Southern Belle,

Are you still with Covenant HEalth???? :) I've been with them 11 years now.

Southern Belle RN · Feb 15, 2005

Hi Southern Belle,
Are you still with Covenant HEalth???? :) I've been with them 11 years now.

Hello!! No, I am no longer with Covenant Health, but I sure wish I was!! I am unemployed at this time, but I am looking for a job. I have had 2 positions within Covenant & I think I rubbed ole Andy (the recruitor) the wrong way :angryfire and he will no longer help me. I am going to call him again right now!! Are you happy with your position?? My last position with them was Oncology & I really loved it, my preceptor just worked all 6 of our 12 hr shifts together,and that along with my hour commute (one way) I had to quit... I have regretted it ever since, I should have stuck it out.

Lesi RN

hurlexnurse · Mar 9, 2005

I am a nurse at JCMC. I really like the hospital and hopefully you haven't found a place yet? I don't know if you have heard but JCMC just recieved the highest nursing honor, Magnet status, and are currently working on assisting the other hospitals with msha to do the same. New grads are excepted in ICU, NICU, and just about anywhere, mostly nights though. N/pt ratios on my floor are RN directly to 4 patients and oversees indirectly LPn's 4 pt's as well. (IVP,etc). Team nursing is not practiced on our floor. And we can wear just about anything, scrub wise, except black, camo, or red. New grad pay currently is 16.80 I think. Experience pay varies of course, with certs, and experience. Raises are earned through career ladder approaches, certain committees recieve 5% on pay for participation and obv certs help. I really love the med center and all the people I work with. But it really has alot to do with our attitude and what we bring to the table!:)

I'm really interested in MSHA and would really appreciate if you could answer any of these questions.
Do they accept new grads into Critical Care areas: ER, ICU, or NICU?
If not what are the pt ratio's on the M/S floor?
Do they do team nursing?
What are the uniform codes?
What is the new grad pay?
What is the average pay for an experienced nurse?
How are raises earned?
How much do you like working there?
Thanks!

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2005

Unfortunately, we have had to delay our move. It's very disappointing for both of us. I have managed to get a job in ICU here in Florida, which I'm very excited about. Hopefully by the time we move (2 years) we'll have the money for a down payment for a house. Until then I'll have to deal with high cost of living, outrageous real estate prices, and grid lock traffic.

Thank you so much for your feedback! Still keeping my eye on the prize (house near or in the mountains)!

Traveler · Apr 6, 2005

That's too bad about your unexpected delay in your move. That's great that you have found a job in the ICU. Housing/land costs are soaring here too- like they are most places. We live in the mountains and the prices have tripled in five years. We're holding onto another piece of land we own or I'm afraid the kids won't be able to afford anything when they're ready.