Ochsner Medical Center

nolaRN9 · Oct 29, 2015

Ochsner is like any other job. There are a lot of factors that it depends on. What unit you work on, who you work with, the doctors you deal with, patient population, etc. It is a teaching hospital, so you will deal with a lot of frequently rotating interns who are clueless at times. This aspect is something that I like. As they are learning, you get to see and learn a lot at the same time. They also seem to be nicer to the nurses, because often they lean on you for guidance so they don't screw up. The hospital does seem to be one of the lower paying ones in the area, but they do have a "clinical ladder" program. If you participate, you can increase your pay, but it is something you have to reapply for each year. It is a very large hospital, so there are many opportunities to advance and/or make lateral moves to find an area you like. Employees are treated fairly, although there is always room to improve. Like I said, it is a big hospital. Like with any corporation, the people up top will always expect more from the employees at the cheapest cost. There is also the matter of more "customer" oriented than "patient" oriented. Often you feel like we are more worried about getting good survey results than better patient outcomes. I have only worked at Ochsner, so I don't know how it works at other places, but this seems to be a common theme in healthcare no matter where you work.

1stpriority · Nov 11, 2015

I have worked at Ochsner since 2005. I have worked as a CNA and nurse, unit sect.Registration Recp you get the point,lol I have moved around. It is a good place to work but pay is on the lower end. With any workplace things are not perfect, however depending on whichever dept you decide to apply for and work will be simply an open door for you . You can advance at Ochsner.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Nov 11, 2015

The thing with ochsner is you either love it or hate it. There isn't much in between.

dreamerachiever, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2015

I have volunteered in the NICU unit at Ochsner. The staff was amazing, and treated the babies like their own. However, in my opinion Ochsner is a little "dated," and could use some renovations. It is definitely not your "up to date," or newly renovated hospital like others in the area.

nolanurse88 · Dec 10, 2015

Do you know what the starting pay is for a new grad RN?

Never Never Give Up · Dec 22, 2015

I just accepted a position as a new grad RN at Ochsner, starting in 2016. Pay for new grad RN starts at $22.50 plus $3 differential for evening, $5 diff for nights and $5 diff for weekends. They also offered me a sign on/relocation bonus! Pay is on the lower end but coming from CA it should even out as cost for housing is much lower in NOLA too.

Msunknownn · Feb 7, 2016

I just accepted a position as a new grad RN at Ochsner, starting in 2016. Pay for new grad RN starts at $22.50 plus $3 differential for evening, $5 diff for nights and $5 diff for weekends. They also offered me a sign on/relocation bonus! Pay is on the lower end but coming from CA it should even out as cost for housing is much lower in NOLA too.

I'm trying to send a PM, would like to ask you a question. I'll be starting there as well.

LittleMissVixen410 · Feb 20, 2016

RUN. Ochsner claims they want "all their nurses to grow and become leaders" but will throw you under the bus ina heartbeat. I've seen SEVERAL people lose their jobs in different areas because of this. It's like if your manager is in a bad mood that day, she could easily see you not wash your hands or stock something correctly and terminate you.

I am truly warning you. I've worked in 9 hospitals as a traveler and staff and I couldn't run out of that place soon enough. A week later two others nurses left. The week after se fired someone who had been there in the ED for 17 years.

You will regret this and not get the experience you want or need as a new grad. What unit?

And remember with the housing stipend and bonus, you have to pay them back for any time you leave or are fired for under 2 years. If it was a great place nurses loved, I'd say totally do it. But you have so many great options in CA and could make great money there - why would you leave to something mediocre?

I promise, it will feel like your license is in jeopardy every day at work.

CHnurse79 · Jun 15, 2016

I have heard the NOLA location is much better. I have a little experience with another location and can say I found it completely unprofessional and observed some racist attitudes with the RNs there. I also saw some pretty bad practices when it came to infection control. This was through a very brief experience there that I would privately email you about if you still want to know about this topic.