New job at rural hospital

[gillytook]

I am so excited. I begin my new job at a rural hospital Monday. They just added a new ER so instead of 2 rooms they have 8 rooms including 2 trauma rooms and 4 isolation rooms. There is a 27 bed med/surg unit, a 4-6 bed PCU/ICU units, 10 bed geri psych unit, an outpatient clinic with 6 exam rooms for visiting physicians, full radiology suite with round the clock radiologist, home health, physical therapy center, gym with pool and suspended track, a full pharmacy open to the public and a lab with 24/7 coverage. They just broke ground on a dialysis center.

Where they have come from in the past few years is amazing. And their plans to expand and service the local community are impressive. The administrator has the goal of being the #1 rural hospital in the nation and the management is on board. Currently, they service about 33% of the community, but want to add services and increase quality to see that number grow.

I am starting in med/surg but will cross train for PCU/ICU. I can see so many opportunities for advancement and growth and many chances to learn. There is no code team, IV team, or wound care. If something needs to be done for a patient, we did it ourselves.

I get a free gym membership if I use it the gym 8 times a month. There is a gas pump where I can purchase gas as a payroll deduction only slightly over cost. All profits from the vending machines go to an Employee Assistance Fund to buy gifts, assist in emergencies, and throw functions. If I use the hospital, its labs, or the 4 doctors that are hospital employees with offices on campus, I get a 50% discount in additon to my insurance. Any prescriptions filled at the pharmacy are $5. Eventhough I am making slightly less than the large hospital in town, I feel the benefits far outway the difference.

[NeoPediRN]

That sounds incredible! I hope to work in a rural ER someday. The things that walk through your ER doors are incredible...best of luck to you!!

[JVRB4]

Sounds great! I live in a rural community and though the local hospital is a little lager than what you describe the perks are not as good. I wish you the best of luck in your new career!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

:ancong!: It sounds like a wonderful place. Good luck!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i agree with the others, congrats! i started out in a rural hospital where i was crossed-trained on a specialty floor. the training has allowed me to land a job recently on a specialty floor in another hospital even though my primary function is medical surgical nursing. i hope that this hospital environment is a good fit for you but if it is not, just know that you will have options in the future if you try to gain exposure to as much as possible! gl!!