New Grad moving to Athens, help please!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2011

The two main hospitals are St. Mary's and Athens Regional Medical Center. Both have websites under their names for jobs listings.

I do not know conditions at Sts but the ratios are tolerable at ARMC. General conditions at ARMC are good. Both hospitals Pretty much share the same MD pool. Though the facilities tend to have the "good old boy" issues: MDs get catered to and some of the older ones behave quite badly, with little nursing recourse. And the nursing management at ARMC to broadcast how how thorough orientation and training is with nurses able to talk about problematic issues- sorry but it is a load of bull dust. While not a bad place to work, this is a place where there does seem to be a lot of cliquishness among management, and if one runs afoul of the wrong people or one raises one voice on the wrong issue, you will find yourself "targeted".

An interesting note, St. Mary's is Catholic based. During interviews, they preach a good game about how they do not do abortions, sterilizations or euthanasia, etc. Given that no area hospitals do euthanasia(duh), it makes them sound rather preachy. But they do indeed do elective sterilizations though and not just for health issues. The consent is worded in N odd way though.

elizanne · Feb 26, 2011

I'm in nursing school in Athens right now (graduating in December--yay!), and we've been hearing a good bit about both St. Mary's and Athens Regional (ARMC) during clinical and from the class ahead of us. Both hospitals took new grads into their nurse residency/nurse internship programs in January, and from what I've heard from upcoming May graduates, they are recruiting for new grads this semester also. I've included a link for the ARMC nurse recruiters, but the St. Mary's website is rather sporifice.

https://web1.armc.org/body.cfm?id=1234

Like most other hospitals with those types of programs, they recruit pretty heavily in late spring and late fall, so it would probably help to contact a nurse recruiter at both of those hospitals soon (might be a little early, but can't help to start figuring things out). Also, there are some hospitals/healthcare systems outside of Athens proper that might be an option for you if you're willing to drive 20-30 minutes. This is definitely not a metropolis, so commuting isn't the hassle you might think.

I go to the Athens campus of Georgia Health Sciences University (previously MCG), and we'll be having a career fair this Monday morning and afternoon. I'll keep a look out at the ARMC and St. Mary's booths. I also know a handful of new nurses in both hospitals, so I could put you in contact with some of them if you'd like. Feel free to message me, and I'll let you know what their openings look like this coming May or about hospitals in the surrounding areas that might work for you. Good luck and congratulations!

ahain0013 · Feb 26, 2011

Thank you both for your replies! I really appreciate the input!!

elizanne: Your post has been an answer to my prayers! Often, over the last year of our planning to move to Athens, I've just wanted to be able to communicate with another student in the area. So, thank you for your post! I would send you a message, but because I've just joined allnurses last night I can't send a message yet, because I haven't posted 15+ times or something. Anyway, my email address is [email protected] and I would love to ask you some more questions. Also, I just sent an email to one of the nurse recruiters with ARMC yesterday and am hoping to hear back soon. I definitely don't mind a 30+ minute commute. We are looking for any possible opportunity and I'm not picky at all! With my experience in the resource pool, I am a firm believer that any experience is good experience!!

If you don't wish to email me, I completely understand, but I appreciate any input that you have! Thank you again!!

elizanne · Feb 26, 2011

I'm emailing now! Haha--I wanted to message you also, but I don't have 15+ posts either. For now I always have to settle with asking for PMs on the message board. Talk soon!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2011

Like most other hospitals with those types of programs, they recruit pretty heavily in late spring and late fall, so it would probably help to contact a nurse recruiter at both of those hospitals soon (might be a little early, but can't help to start figuring things out). Also, there are some hospitals/healthcare systems outside of Athens proper that might be an option for you if you're willing to drive 20-30 minutes. This is definitely not a metropolis, so commuting isn't the hassle you might think.

Be forewarned that most the facilities within 20-30 minute drive are quite small and/or forprofit. However, for a little farther drive, there are the Gwinnett hospitals and the hospital system in Gainesville, Barrow County has a facility but I believe it is for profit. Thus staffing ratios usually poorer.

It is generally easier, in my experience, for a new grad to get a job in larger facilities as well as more chance for specialization.

ahain0013 · Feb 27, 2011

Thank you so much for letting me know! I have put in an application at Gwinnett Medical Center (for their new grad residency), and was starting to look into Gainsville since it seemed to be a larger area. I'm just hoping for any chances at an interview, because I am sure that this would be much easier in person. Also, since I already work at a non-profit catholic hospital, do you think that would give me any pull at other catholic hospitals? I did not know if they networked at all...

link51411 · Feb 28, 2011

I actually interviewed with armc and it was a peer interview. This was the very first interview that I didnt get called back they seemed to not like talking about my past experiance at a UAB ICU (level 1 trauma center) in alabama. they were honestly more interested in talking about bulldog and Alabama football. I tried to get out of that conversation because I knew that my tide pride would get my into trouble and I was proud of my experiance in the Neuro ICU. anyways long story short I didnt get called back and got a job in houston county. So Im not sure how your experiance in the larger hospital will help you in your interview, may depend on who you interview with.

ahain0013 · Mar 4, 2011

Thanks for your insight. I'm sorry you didn't get the job. Hoping for the best if I hear back from them, and hopefully can get an interview set up soon. Good luck in Houston County!

godawgsmh · Apr 3, 2011

Just a little update on ARMC. Lots of budget cutting going on all over the hospital. Supposedly, a strict hiring freeze. There are major reductions going on for Surgical Services - especially at the Outpatient Surgery Center. Not a good situation for current employees, much less new-hires. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things appear serious at ARMC. Administration has spent millions on new construction, flat-screen TVs, new monitors, new ORs, new Endoscopy, etc., but are having trouble paying employees.......

Good luck to you in your search for a new job.

ahain0013 · Apr 3, 2011

Thank you for the update godawgsmh. I was able to meet with a nurse recruiter from ARMC about two weeks ago. She had mentioned several times about budget cuts and uncertainty, so I had kind of figured that things may not pan out there. Especially at this time. Fortunately I was also able to meet with a nurse recruiter from St. Mary's at the same time and that meeting sounded a bit more promising. I was happy to hear from them that they were having a lot of growth in many areas, and they kept the emphasis on "we love new grads." So, at this point it sounds like that may be my best option (and I don't mind, I got a good feel for the place when I was there). I appreciate any updates on hospitals in the area.

STDT22 · May 15, 2012

Does anyone know when the new grad program for ARMC starts for people who applied in march?