Norristown State Hospital, PA

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Hi, everyone.

I'm hoping someone out there has experience with or knowledge of this facility. I'm an aspiring psych nurse graduating in May 2009, and the deal they offer their RNs just downright sounds way too good to be true. (And if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, right...?)

If what I've been reading is accurate, they start their new nurses at 60K+ (with a $1 an hour shift differential), but the thing that's really caught my attention is that they seem to offer this 10/14 schedule, which I understand to mean 10 days in a row ON (8-hour shifts), then 14 days OFF? How can this be? There has to be some sort of mistake, yet all the sources I check say the same thing. It just doesn't make sense. That would mean, basically, I'd work 152 days out of 365 a year and be off the other 213 days of the year, all while making a regular full-time salary? It just doesn't add up.

Is this true? Is it because it's just so darn dangerous to work there that they can't get anyone? IS it dangerous to work there?

Any insights anyone can lend would be greatly appreciated. I've searched the site and only found a couple of non-related references to this particular state facility. I'd been a little discouraged in my research of possible psych facilities for future employment because they mostly seem to run on 5-day a week, 8 hour schedules (I LOVE three 12s with a passion), but if it were 8 hour shifts for 10 days straight then TWO WEEKS off in a row...now THAT piques my interest.

Waiting anxiously to hear from any of you who work, or have worked, at this site. Thanks so much!

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I'm also curious about other nurses experience in any PA state hospitals. I have been looking at Norristown and Allentown State hospitals but haven't found much info. about either. I would like to know more about the work environment and safety issues.

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Specializes in Peds.

Pretty sure 10/14 schedule means you work 10 out of 14 days; essentially a five day workweek. The term 10/14 may relate to the pay period, offering a bi-weekly paycheck.

They are always advertising RN hires needed at a 60K+ salary, I always wonder if there is high turnover. Anyone with any experience at this facility?

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