Moving to Milwaukee.. help!

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I am possibly moving to the Milwaukee area. I just graduated an accelerated nursing program and know nothing about Wisconsin.

Are there a lot of hospitals that are willing to hire new grads in the area? I want to work as an RN before a GN, so Ill take my Nclex before I get a job. Should I be applying for an RN position now or after I take my Nclex?

How is the area in general? Is it safe? Are there a lot of things to do within the city?

If anyone could even remotely help me with any of these questions I would appreciate it more then you know. Thank you so much for your time!

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Where will you be in MKE? I have worked for three of the many providers (hospital) and can tell you which ones I like or if you are looking at a facility I can tell you what I have heard? Also, let me know you're area of interest

The VA has great benefits and pay, but hard to get in. Everyone likes working for them that I know

Aurora-I liked it very much. Large, good pay, as a new grad you're very likely to find a job in one of their many locations. I worked at St. Luke's a bit at Sinai. I would go back.

Columbia St. Mary's. I worked here and left due to the merger. Don't look for a position until after Oct. Nov. they will have merged and can figure out the staffing. Bad ratios/ no CNA assist. Pays well, overall, the people are nice.

ProHealth in Waukesha-good ratios, nice support staff. Pays less than the above mentioned. My favorite overall.

Froedtert--good ratios, nice staff, good support. Pay is okay. I didn't like the 7-10 our shifts (7/70). Way too old for that now. They will hire new grads also.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in OB/women's Health, Pharm.

Milwaukee is a wonderful city, with plenty to do especially in the summer. Downtown is doing well, with lots of new condos, restaurants, etc. Lovely parks and beaches along the lake, festivals every weekend. It is clean, safe, affordable, and fairly friendly with midwestern values. Even the traffice is quite reasonable. If that isn't enough, downtown Chicago is a 90 minute train ride away.

I moved here from Detroit 13 years ago, and before doing so checked out the crime statistics. Even the worst areas have half as much crime as Detroit. (I don't want to disparage Motown. I worked in the city for 20 years and NOTHING bad ever happened to me or my co-workers. But by comparison, MKE is safer.) Especially if you are downtown or stay east of the river, you will be fine.

I teach nursing, and most of our new BSN grads have jobs. However, our program is higly respected, and they had a critical care rotation. Some just finished internships in critical care, and were offered jobs. However, the job market is tight, and ADN new grads are NOT being hired many places. It may take while, and I would line some thing up before moving here.

Good luck with your new life.

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I want to moive back to Wisconsin too but I cannot find a job...Where can I look?

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Specializes in Dialysis, Labor and delivery.

Has anyone recently worked at mount carmel health and rehab , milwaukee? , its run by kindred health care. what are your experiences working there, viz pay , staffing ratio etc. Any valuable infomation will be appreciated, looking to pick up an appointment there. Thanks

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No to Mount Carmel...look in the new for your answers, these are just the recent ones.... Mount Carmel nursing home cited 35 times - JSOnline State review of Mount Carmel nursing home continues - JSOnline

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Do most of the hospitals in Mke hire all BSN grads, or do they welcome ADN as well? I will possibly be moving to the area once I have my ADN, but wondering if I should wait until I have my BSN prior to moving.

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Milwaukee is a wonderful city, with plenty to do especially in the summer. Downtown is doing well, with lots of new condos, restaurants, etc. Lovely parks and beaches along the lake, festivals every weekend. It is clean, safe, affordable, and fairly friendly with midwestern values. Even the traffice is quite reasonable. If that isn't enough, downtown Chicago is a 90 minute train ride away.

I moved here from Detroit 13 years ago, and before doing so checked out the crime statistics. Even the worst areas have half as much crime as Detroit. (I don't want to disparage Motown. I worked in the city for 20 years and NOTHING bad ever happened to me or my co-workers. But by comparison, MKE is safer.) Especially if you are downtown or stay east of the river, you will be fine.

I teach nursing, and most of our new BSN grads have jobs. However, our program is higly respected, and they had a critical care rotation. Some just finished internships in critical care, and were offered jobs. However, the job market is tight, and ADN new grads are NOT being hired many places. It may take while, and I would line some thing up before moving here.

Good luck with your new life.

I must respectfully disagree with the comment regarding ADN's not being hired. I just graduated with an ADN @ Gateway Tech in Kenosha Dec. 17th and was offered a new grad position at Aurora-Sinai ICU, United Hospital System ER, and have an interview at St. Jospeh's ICU next week. Granted, I assume you teach for MSOE, UW-Milw, etc. and I have friends in those programs but in terms of a new graduate hire, it did not sound as though the managers/HR reps placed that much of a premium over us ADNs regarding 4 year schools. This includes Froedtert and its magnet status, where we a grad starting ICU right out of the gate. I think with the economy hospitals can be pickier, but in the end its the candidate and what they bring to the table over the degree. Just my 2 cents!

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Agent T, will you PM me? I would love to see if you would be able to help me as well.

Thanks!

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I must respectfully disagree with the comment regarding ADN's not being hired. I just graduated with an ADN @ Gateway Tech in Kenosha Dec. 17th and was offered a new grad position at Aurora-Sinai ICU, United Hospital System ER, and have an interview at St. Jospeh's ICU next week. Granted, I assume you teach for MSOE, UW-Milw, etc. and I have friends in those programs but in terms of a new graduate hire, it did not sound as though the managers/HR reps placed that much of a premium over us ADNs regarding 4 year schools. This includes Froedtert and its magnet status, where we a grad starting ICU right out of the gate. I think with the economy hospitals can be pickier, but in the end its the candidate and what they bring to the table over the degree. Just my 2 cents!

I agree, this is also what I have noticed since 2002. I have worked for Aurora ICU, CSM ICU and ProHealth Progressive Unit and there is no incentive or additional pay for BSN. CSM will lock you in a RN 2 position without a BSN but will hire you, including Froedtert-I turned them down twice (LOW pay). The VA may be more particular.

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