Phoenix children's hospital

boomerfriend · Jul 9, 2010

Yes, yes and yes! Phoenix Children's is a great hospital to work for. The GAPP program is really competitive but you have an edge that you have your BSN because that's all they're hiring. The new building on the website will be open in 2011. The hospital has been around for 25+ years. There's other children's hospitals in the valley, namely Cardon Children's (part of the Banner system) - I can't speak to that except that they are there.

I personally work in the ICU at PCH and love it. We are currently not hiring for the PICU but who knows what the future holds - we need to staff that big building when it opens. Management is terrific and enjoyable place to work. Good luck to you.

studentwifey · Jul 9, 2010

Thank you for your reply! Do you know when in 2011 it will open? It sounds like a wonderful place to work. Do you know if it's a teaching hospital and/or if it offers tuition reimbursement if you want to go back to school for masters or something?

Sariern · Jul 9, 2010

PCH is a teaching hospital & does offer tuition reimbursement. It is a great place for peds nurses, as they are very big on using evidence based practice. There are many opportunities to be on committees and such, and help shape nursing care delivered there. PCH delivers the highest level of pediatric care for the State of AZ.

TinkRN8 · Jul 10, 2010

Hi! Question in regards to the BSN requirement. I am graduating from the MCCD ADN program in May 2011. I have a BA degree in History already. I am going to eventually get my BSN thru the MCCD/ASU alliance as I want to go on to get my MSN.

However, in the immediate future, in regards to PCH, do they require that the Bachelor's be an BSN, or do they also accept BA degree as being a "Bachelor's" qualification. I know at Banner, they still consider you a Bachelor degree nurse even if your Bachelor's was something other than a BSN. So just wondering if it is the same at PCH, or if they actually do require the BSN regardless.

Thanks for the info!

studentwifey · Jul 10, 2010

That is great news! It sounds like a great place and I'm getting pretty excited about it.

Does anyone know when in 2011 the new building will open?

Also, if anyone has any info about the GAPP program, that would be greatly appreciated... They don't have any dates or deadlines posted on their website.

kim2202 · Jul 11, 2010

Hate to put a damper on things, but PCH is going through what all of the hospitals are going through: Budget Cuts. The last couple of GAPP programs they have had, they have only hired internal candidates (PCT's) and they have only hired 8 or 9 of them. Next year when the main tower opens it is not going to add that many beds and St. Joseph's pediatrics is coming over which means all of the ped's nurses from St. Joe's will be coming over as well. They do hire ADN nurses when they are hiring, but just like other hospitals they say they prefer BSN prepared nurses. I would say at least half of the nurses there are ADN prepared nurses.

TinkRN8 · Jul 12, 2010

Hate to put a damper on things, but PCH is going through what all of the hospitals are going through: Budget Cuts. The last couple of GAPP programs they have had, they have only hired internal candidates (PCT's) and they have only hired 8 or 9 of them. Next year when the main tower opens it is not going to add that many beds and St. Joseph's pediatrics is coming over which means all of the ped's nurses from St. Joe's will be coming over as well. They do hire ADN nurses when they are hiring, but just like other hospitals they say they prefer BSN prepared nurses. I would say at least half of the nurses there are ADN prepared nurses.

Sounds familiar. Banner is opening their new hospital out by me (San Tan Valley) in October/November, but all jobs are going to be filled internally. Current employees who want to transfer out there are priority. Maybe that will open up positions at the other area hospitals....yeah right! :lol2: Not for new grads anyway. I am just hoping and praying things start opening up when I graduate next year.

Will PCH NICU remain at Good Sam, or will that transfer over as well?

kim2202 · Jul 12, 2010

The NICU is that is at Good Sam is staying there. We all hope the economy improves. Hospitals are able to take advantage of all their employees because they know that there is no where else to go.

TinkRN8 · Jul 12, 2010

The NICU is that is at Good Sam is staying there. We all hope the economy improves. Hospitals are able to take advantage of all their employees because they know that there is no where else to go.

It is sad, and hopefully it will improve. When I did my clinicals last semester on the med-surg floors there were usually 5-6 high acuity patients for each nurse and then there were 4 pods per floor sharing 1 HUC and 1 CNA/PCT, if they had a CNA or HUC that is. It was crazy! The nurses were pulled in all different directions. As a student you can only do so much, but I tried to help as much as possible. The CNA's I know were appreciative of extra hands as well as the RN's. I know that administrations are trying to hold onto cash as they don't know what future holds with healthcare bill, etc, but right now it is risking pt safety. And, of course they know you won't go anywhere else as every hospital it is the same thing. No open jobs. Crazy....and very sad.

boomerfriend · Jul 14, 2010

A couple more points: the St. Joe's nurses will be given the opportunity to interview for a position at PCH - it's not a guaranteed job change. Also, little known fact is that PCH has a NICU at the Thomas campus as well as the well-known one at Good Sam.

As far as opening date, I've heard Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 ~ you know with new builds...it's never ready when they project. We can't WAIT for it to open. We are in the old part of the building now and have lots of issues (water main breaks, A/C problems, etc.) that come from being in an old facility.

We had two new GAPP nurses in the February hire and they were both BSNs and previously PCTs on the unit. We've had many PCTs and a couple RTs go back and get and get their RN and they can't get a job at PCH. Sad but true.

The usual hires for GAPP are February and (I think) October.

cindyloowho · May 15, 2011

This is a bump because I wanted to ask those who work there (or just happen to know the answer) what is the dress code at Phoenix Children's. Do the nurses have to wear a certain color or are they free to wear any color and/or print scrubs? Thanks!!!