Moving to Seattle Area-What Are The Best Hospitals?

Todd SPN · Sep 4, 2003

Can't really answer your questions, but I can say that if you end up in the Kirkland area (considered the eastside) you might check out Evergreen Hospital. My dad had a lengthy stay there and I was impressed with the nursing. Also, the nurses I met all had good dispositions, smiled and were friendly. That tells me they are treated well. I know they have a website with a link to job openings that is probably worth checking out. For that matter, I would not be surprised if all Seattle area hospitals have a website. Seattle has some awesome hospitals for healthcare. For me, I am not sure I would consider the University of Washington. Don't get me wrong, it is top notch, but as a learning hospital it has a different mentality that is sometimes not in the patients best interest as far as nursing the patient. That would weigh heavy on my mind. Good luck, I think you will enjoy the northwest.

nadia562002 · Sep 5, 2003

It just so happens that I work at the University of Washington Medical Center. Believe me, I had my skepticm when I started in that every hospital has it downside. There is a reason why the U has received magnet status 3 times for nursing. They really have lived up to what they told me at the interview and what I have seen in practice. So far, every patient I have had sincerely believed that they are recieving the best care from their entire health care team. I have also received the best orientation I could possibly hope for.

Brownms46 · Sep 5, 2003

I know many travelers who have worked at the UW, and every single one of them, loved working there! I can't that for the rest of the hospitals in the Seattle area, except for Group Health in Redmond which I can personally attest to as being a very good place to work.

Todd SPN · Sep 5, 2003

Originally posted by nadia562002
It just so happens that I work at the University of Washington Medical Center. Believe me, I had my skepticm when I started in that every hospital has it downside. There is a reason why the U has received magnet status 3 times for nursing. They really have lived up to what they told me at the interview and what I have seen in practice. So far, every patient I have had sincerely believed that they are recieving the best care from their entire health care team. I have also received the best orientation I could possibly hope for.

Gosh, I don't want to make any enemies here. I do believe they are cutting edge and have the utmost respect for the institution. I have friends that have had complicated major operations there that probably could have only been done in a handfull of hospitals.

My comment stems from a personal experience. A girl I lived with had a rare disease. Not a whole lot was written about it and it was a great chance for the UW to study it. She had been there a few weeks (this time) and everything they were doing was not of benefit. On one of my nightly visits two nurses took me aside and asked if I fully understood what was going on. She was an experiment so to speak. The bottom line was she was going to die and nothing was going to stop it. I decided to take her home that night. Once word got to the drs that she was leaving, there was a steady stream of them coming in to try and change our minds. Thank God for those two nurses and their advocacy. I'm just saying that another hospital might have said there was nothing they could do instead of wanting to keep her for experiments. Not that there is anything wrong with that, disease's need to be studied, but the pt should have a choice. That is the mentality I speak of in my post.

kimmicoobug · Sep 5, 2003

I am thinkin I need to relocate too. I really am in a dead end town, but can't afford to move.

kcrnsue · Sep 9, 2003

I have also worked at Group Health in Redmond. (as a traveller) It was a very nice and friendly environment.

shudokan-RN · Sep 11, 2003

I just relocated to Olympia WA there are 2 great hospitals here.

be sure to ask about relocation/sign on bonus. The Hospital I work for payed for my entire move, and I recieved a sign on bonus

PM me if you want to discuss this further

marci

Rnltc · Sep 17, 2003

try using a recruiter. they can many times get the company that hires you to pay for the move.

here is a great one and they are very personal and really work for your best intrest. i have used them many times.

edited by moderator to remove recruiters contact info, please pm poster if interested. thanks. nancy

Ariko · Sep 17, 2003

Originally posted by kimmicoobug
I am thinkin I need to relocate too. I really am in a dead end town, but can't afford to move.

U of W MC will pay for your move. So will Harborview and I assume Swedish. They need nurses and will pay to get them.

kids · Sep 17, 2003

I have known several former Swedish nurses, I know no specifics but was given the inpression that they (the former employees) did not fell they were treated as the valuable comodities they are.

maureeno · Sep 17, 2003

Swedish is a mega-monster and growing