Oregon/Washington Trauma 1 center ICU's? How are they?

[sleepyrasrn]

My wife and I are planning to relocate to the Northwest at the beginning of the year and I've been looking at RN positions at OHSU and Emanuel Portland in Oregon, and Harborview Medical Center in Washington. They are the Trauma 1 centers for the Northwest. I'm curious about their Trauma/Surgical ICU's. I'd love to hear from anyone who knows what these ICU's are like and if the working atmospheres are agreeable, what the staffing is like, how are the units set up, etc? Any info would be much appreciated.

[favre fan]

I may not be able to fully answer your questions as I do not directly work in the ICU's at Emanuel, but as an employee there on the surgical floor. I too did research of hospitals prior to moving and there respective ICU's to determine where I applied and it landed me at Emanuel. I only moved from three hours away and had a few reasources. I dont know anything about Harborview in Wa. I compared OHSU, Providence and Emanuel for my job search. I plan to enter an ICU internship soon and heard nothing but good things from staff, students, and patients of Emanuel. If you have a union prefrence, OHSU and Providence is union and Emanuel is not, at least not RN staff. Everything I hear is 2:1 or 1:1 based on acuity. There are 4 adult ICU's, west wing (WWICU) is the Trauma ICU. It is the most acute ICU as the most unstable pts are kept here, both for its connection to the ED/Trauma staff and its proximity to surgery (when needed in a hurry). ICUE (east) is the surgical ICU, also known as the neuro ICU. MICU is basic medical and cardiac and then there is a Burns ICU. Emanuel's burn unit has its own ICU and ED docking bay. I have enjoyed every bit working there. I have no complaints. The staff are all wonderful and I look forward to moving into one of these ICU's soon.

Good luck on your research. Hope this helps.

[sleepyrasrn]

Thanks very much for the info. I have an interview at OHSU next month but haven't heard anything back from Emanuel. Is there a trick to getting an interview there? I filled out the online application and more than meet the requirements for the posted position. It looks like there are several needs. Not sure why I haven't heard back. I try to call human resources and can't get anywhere with them.

Also, what can you tell me about working union versus non-union? Is Oregon a right-to-work state? I work in Utah (essentially, a non-union state. At least for health care anyway) and know nothing about them. Pros versus cons of working in a union?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my original post. It answered a number of questions I have about emanuel.

[lindarn]

Thanks very much for the info. I have an interview at OHSU next month but haven't heard anything back from Emanuel. Is there a trick to getting an interview there? I filled out the online application and more than meet the requirements for the posted position. It looks like there are several needs. Not sure why I haven't heard back. I try to call human resources and can't get anywhere with them.

Also, what can you tell me about working union versus non-union? Is Oregon a right-to-work state? I work in Utah (essentially, a non-union state. At least for health care anyway) and know nothing about them. Pros versus cons of working in a union?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my original post. It answered a number of questions I have about emanuel.

I can't speak for Oregon, but Washington nurses are mostly unionized with the Washington State Nurses Association. From personal experience with them in Spokane, as we say in Brooklyn, they are as useful as tits on a bull. They cause more trouble and grief, than if there was no union at all. In fact, if you are not unionized with them you would be better off.

If you weren't represented by a union, when/if you have personal workplace issues, you can go directly to an attorney to help you. If you are unionized, you have to jump through a series of union grievances to fix your problem. The hospital wears you out for a year, up to three greivances, hoping you will forget about it.

As to contracts, WSNA is beholden to administration. Nurses in Spokane, haven't seen any apprecaible raise or improvements in benefits, workplace issues, in years. Every raise is accompanied by a higher increase in cost of medical benefits. And WSNA just goes along with it. There are no meetings, newsletters, any attempt to stay in contact with members to keep them in the loop. Of course, administration likes it that way.

Contract meetings are started only a few months before the contract expires. They do not contact members to inform them of the progress of the contract. Everyone is in the dark.

In case you figured haven't figured it out, they are workthless. That is not to say, that I am anti union. I am far from it. I would love to see Washington nurses bring in the NNOC- the arm of the California Nurses Assiation. The only nurses union who has done ANYTHING FOR THE WORKING NURSE!!!

If you come to Washington, contact me and we can get together and bring in a better union for Washington. JMHO, and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[favre fan]

I have heard that some people had a difficult time with the online application. One of the nurses I work with was actually given a rejection notice and then called days later by our manager, I guess it was some kind of mistake. My recommendation is to talk to the ICU manager of the ICU you want to work. Either call or just set up an appt with them when you come do your OHSU interview. Also, if you can get in contact with the nursing recruiter's, they were very helpful during my application process.

In terms of the union, I have never been a fan. It seems to protect bad employees, causes difficulty getting raises, problems with contract agreements, and you have to pay dues for all of this. Then there is the possibility of going on strike (which OHSU has done). The pros to union is the job security and use of seniority. Everything is based on seniority with unions. Oregon is not a right to work state. If union is in a hospital you have to be part of it.

Its my feeling that Emanuel not having a union has them competing to keep them out. They offer great benefits, keep staffing appropriate, listen to thier staff, and give regular raises. I have received three raises in the 1.5 yrs I have been there.

Another thing you might look at when you visit is location. Emanuel is on the east side of the river and OHSU is downtown on the west side. If you plan on driving to work you have to pay for parking at OHSU.

Another thing to think about is the new tower Emanuel is building for Peds and critical care. They just broke ground on it the other day and it is going to be a few years, but a brand new ICU would be awesome to work in.

I dont want to seem like I am picking on OHSU, I am just very happy at Emanuel. I dont know what your future plans are, but if you are planning on going to school to further your degree, I would look seriously at OHSU. They have multiple nursing programs for BSN, NP, and MSN including the only CRNA education in the state. I hear you get a decent discount for being an employee.

Again, good luck.