MS coast hospital reviews...for employment purposes

[baceball6]

Hi,

I am graduating in May 2008 from a BSN program on the MS Coast.

I am interviewing and applying at many different hospitals at this time.

I want to know what you guys think of the following hospitals:

1. Ocean Springs Hospital

2. Garden Park Hospital

3. Hancock Medical Center

4. Memorial Hospital

5. Biloxi Regional Hospital

6. Biloxi VA

I want to know about your views of each hospital if applicable, if you only know something from experience about 1 hospital, that's fine. I would prefer information from people that have worked at these hospitals, but anything will be nice.

I need to know these things as I decide where to start my nursing career!

thanks a ton

[Nazarite]

Hey,

Well as a new nurse myself I can only tell you what I have heard or experienced as far as being new and from clinicals....

O.S. and Memorial are the only two from what I understand with a decent orientation for new nurses, which to me right now is most important...

Garden Park pays a killer night differential, but doesn't have an orientation program per say and can't promise you will have the same preceptor.....

Don't know much about Hancock Medical...

Biloxi Regional has charting by exception on the floors(when I was there for clinicals) but seemed kinda of disorganized on their med/surg floors...their ER is computer charting and I loved my clinical there...

I really enjoyed Biloxi VA clinical and from I what I understand there is a huge bonus for a sign on commitment, but I have been told there is a very good reason for that as they have trouble with retention which tells me it's probably not a great place to work....I do love their computer charting....

I work at Memorial...Brand new...they have a great intern program offered twice a year and as a new nurse I would go for that if I were you....Not sure of O.S. as far as intern program, but I didn't want to drive to Jackson County anyway....

Additionally I've noticed that people frequently tend to get at Memorial and stay at Memorial...which to me is a good sign..they are very supportive and team oriented.....they have computer charting as well, but I did like the V.A.'s version better, but oh well....

Well that is this newbies point of view...I'm finding out for me, as hard as nursing school was the real work begins on the floor and I go in everyday scared half to death and leave exhausted.....It's not fun...I question myself as to whether this was the right thing...etc....typical 'new nurse' syndrome, but I'm determined to hang in there....

I wish you luck on your new career and hope this helps...

Nazarite, RN :nuke:

[baceball6]

WOW, what an information packed response.

much thanks

I am at the point where I am now nervous.

I have been talking to so many people at so many hospitals about getting a job in their unit/floor/dept whatever

I wanna make the right choice

thanks a ton I will use your info

[Nazarite]

You are very welcome, I know how you are feeling having been there not too long ago myself.....Look me up anytime on here and if there is anything I can help with, I'll be glad to.....If I were you, for right now, I'd just concentrate on graduating and passing the NCLEX.....those two are worry enough in and of themselves ...haha.....

I am working where I did my preceptorship in school...I like the atmosphere, people, team environment, etc....but I think my thinking, priority-wise, once I got my license was the fact as a brand new nurse I am building my foundation so to speak, so learning and experience are the priority for me over the money...the money will come with time, but there will be no money if I do something foolish due to inexperience and lose the license....anyway, that is how I view being a new RN....it was like ok I have the license, now I have to protect the license...and the only way to do that is good experience.......Working on the floor is totally different than clinicals.....but I've got alot of experienced helpful nurses around me for support and I am eternally grateful.....That courage that got you in and through nursing school is the same courage that will get you through graduation, NCLEX, and then working as a new nurse....Hang in there...it is worth it....God Bless, Nazarite:nuke:

[merri666]

In my opinion, you should stay away from Biloxi Regional Hospital and Stone County Hospital. Garden Park seems to be staffed mostly by agency these days. I know people who work at Gulfport Memorial and they appear to be happy. The doctors are easy to work with (for the most part) and the facility promotes education. The VA pays well, but from what I have heard it is a rough place to work (nurse to patient ratio) and the 3 people that I have known that went to the VA didn't stay long.

[greenmiler]

I also just started at Memorial just out of school, and so far think it is great.