Nursing @ MSKCC

[scrapple]

I am now a number of months out of the institution and feel I can honestly say it was a great learning experience and my nursing skill definitely became sharper - that being said - I was making the most money I have ever made and found it to be conservative, oppressive, and harsh. There were some nice people to work with but the majority of my fellow RN's were competitive and unhelpful (especially to new grads). I saw it time and time again. And God forbid if you didn't fit into their clicque. I stood up to doctors and ****** nurses and people thought I was "difficult" or a "complainer." I wasn't one to sit in the nurses station and complain. Here's the deal - when nurses don't have a voice - they go after each other ... The politics and culture of that place are so old school and embedded there is no changing it ... They are trying to go magnet ... Their press gayney's are amazing ... What evidence base research are nurses doing on their units??? I saw little to none. I never - not once - meet the CNO. I couldn't wait to leave and was happy when I did. If you want to make a lot of money and don't care about environment - go work there ... As a patient the treatments are very aggressive (which is what they want) ... And I'm not sure every doctor is telling EVERY patient what they will have to endure and how very sick they will be ... There is no hospice program. According to MSK, they are about treatment. They are too small to incorporate hospice. It's a good hospital. But - don't be fooled - it's a hospital. It's not the end all be all. I wish them and the patients well. I know I'm not the only one who ever felt this way about that place. I just don't want to ever work there again.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Please tell me you didn't go in there with no oncology experience and barely off orientation start accusing experienced nurses of eating their young, being cliquey, and not using evidence based practice and start "standing up" to some of the top oncologists in the world? The fact that you were able to even get a meeting with the CNO of a hospital of the size and prestige says a lot.

[sailornurse]

Where is MSKCC? It would help if you spell out the name, give the location i.e., City/State, or post under US forum.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

[scrapple]

I had many years experience and was recruited to work there by their HR department .... I stood up to doctors that were disrespecting nurses at the bedside in front of patients (some seem to think that a nurse is only good for insertion of I's & O's and VS). More than once I witnessed doctors with no reason completely bully and disrespect nurses. There were wonderful doctors there as well, of course. And they were a joy to work with.

So - I didn't "come off of orientation" with the kind of venom your suggesting. Although your tone and attitude certainly remind me of the culture there. I came from a hospital that was magnet and was heavily involved in recertification 2 times ... I understand what that means and I also understand what it means to use evidence based research from a nursing perspective on my unit to get things done to have better outcomes for patients. Mskcc has a way of doing things - they aren't interested in anyone bringing anything fresh to the board - certainly not a staff nurse. In regards to the CNO ... When you are a magnet hospital - the staff RN should feel like they could approach the CNO at any time or make an appointment to meet with them at any time. There were no town meetings. There was no accessibility. That's not how a magnet hospital works. No matter how "prestigious" you are. Nurses should always support each other and help each other. Our job is hard enough. When the environment is petty and catty - when nurses don't have a voice - they go after each other. The retention rate at mskcc is terrible. Why do you think that is?

[writerartistnurse]

Scrapple, please let me know what unit you worked on . I have an interview there next week and am hoping it's not where I'm interviewing for.

[dianearc, BSN, RN]

Scrapple, please let me know what unit you worked on . I have an interview there next week and am hoping it's not where I'm interviewing for.

This is so late. But how is MSK? Do you like it? What is the process needed to get a job there?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

writerartistnurse hasn't posted here in over a year, so might not get a response. Best wishes on finding a position that fits you.

[Honey deww]

Wow very insightful!