Need thoughts on which ER to work in

[nursemommyof3]

I've been offered an ER spot in two different ERs. Here the low down:

I can't decide which one to pick!

Hospital 1 (where I currently work as a float pcp/cna)

I will have worked there for a year in May

I have 401K, which you have to be there 5 years to be vested (where they match what you've put in)

Will pay for all my exams, licensure, review course, etc

Has the better insurance

Pays $1.10 less (base pay)

Shift diff is 20%

I'll be part of the new ER when it opens this fall

Get to wear white scrubs

"non-profit" Catholic hospital

Hospital 2

Pays $1.10 more an hour (base pay)

Shift diff is $3.00

I'll make 52 cents/hour more here when shift diff is figured in

insurance doesn't start until 2 months of employment

$1500 sign on bonus

Was just bought out (again), into what is now the largest health care hospital group in the nation (CHS)

Smaller ER

Get to wear blue scrubs

401K, they add 1-5% of your yearly salary to your 401K PLUS what they normally match

They will pay off my student loans (with an employment contract)

Other things:

the kids are on a state program for insurance now, so they won't go w/out insurance

We will switch to my husbands's insurance in the fall, they are better

Both pay for my NCLEX review course, pay me hourly for my time in the course, my license and for the NCLEX itself.

Anyone ideas? Things I'm missing? INPUT PLEASE!!!

[tsheriff]

There arew alot of things that you have to factor in.

I am also in a similar situation, offered two ER positions as a new grad in California.

Hospital One

Pays $1.54 less hourly

gives free medical, dental and vision benefits for the family

they are also opening up an brand new ER from 8 bed to 14 bed this summer

The current ER looked dreary and old fashioned

the hospital uses both paper and pen and computerized charting

12.5K sign-on bonus for 18 months

$3.50 night differential

offer $2100 retention bonus twice a year

BSN differential after 6 months, adding about .78 hourly

and they did not seem to have a structured new grad ED training program

Hospital Two

Pay $1.54 more hourly

benefits will cost me about $80 bi-weekly

they have a state of the art 31 bed ER

computerized charting using EPIC

$3500 sign on bonus for 2 years

$5 night differential

and have an excellent structured ER new grad training program for 6 months

I decided on hospital two, eventhough with hospital one, I could earn an additional $12,000 a year. I contemplated over these positions for 2 months now.

Why?

Right now I am more focused on being trained properly and getting comfortable in this new position as an RN.

The money will come. After my first year, if I dont like it, I can move on to something bigger and better.

With a good training program, I will be a safe and competent nurse. I would like to keep my license.

I would advise taking the position that provides the best learning opportunity for you, as a new grad. After one year, I am sure you can get a better job making tons more money and you will be a safe and competent nurse. Isnt that what ultimately counts.

Good luck to you in your decision.

[nursemommyof3]

Wow T! I really hate to know what your starting wage is in CA compared to mine in AR!!! LOL! I'm leaning toward hospital #2. It's smaller and I think (like you) I can get a better training there (not as busy as #1). Good luck to you!

[natrgrrl]

You might want to ask yourself, which ED you would rather be taken to in an emergency. I don't know how things are in your area, but where I live the for-profit hospital has a scary ED with great nurses but there are too many corners being cut and the police seem to use it as a dumping ground. As a new nurse, I want to focus on bettering my nursing skills not learning how to keep administrators happy while keeping my license.

But if someone will pay your loans for you, how can you pass that by?

Sorry, I don't think I helped.

[TazziRN, RN]

Based on what you have said, my choice would be #1. The question about which ER you would rather use in an emergency is a good one.

[AC439]

I just left a CHS owned hospital. My new job pays less but money is not everything. CHS tends to pay a little more but they run their staffs level very thin so it can be a bad environment. CHS lies on newspaper that their staff satisfaction level is all time high. But when you are on the floor, most nurses are slammed really bad that you'll hear really bad languages all the time.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I always look for one close to a 24 hour gym and also close to a golf course.

[schroeders_piano, RN]

I suggest avoiding a CHS hospital at all cost. They may look nice on the outside, but their staffing sucks.