Possibly Relocating to Birmingham...advice?

Atl_John · Nov 8, 2007

:Bump: I'm wanting the same info, moving to Bham in December/Jan.

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2007

Usually it takes about 6-8 weeks to get your AL license. Of course depending on the time of year that you apply for it, it could take less time. When I say time of year..... when colleges send in for their new graduates.

UAB is a great place to work. They have outstanding benefits.... the pay isn't wonderful, but it is comparable to the area hospitals. But for me, the benefits well make up for the pay.

What other information would you like to know?? I'd be happy to give you some info.

SarahRNBSN · Nov 28, 2007

Usually it takes about 6-8 weeks to get your AL license. Of course depending on the time of year that you apply for it, it could take less time. When I say time of year..... when colleges send in for their new graduates.
UAB is a great place to work. They have outstanding benefits.... the pay isn't wonderful, but it is comparable to the area hospitals. But for me, the benefits well make up for the pay.
What other information would you like to know?? I'd be happy to give you some info.

Thanks CardioTrans for the reply. I understand UAB is the only magnet hospital in AL. I would like to know what it is like to work for a magnet hospital. I'm not very familiar with this certification but it must indicate that the hospital treats their nurses well...I am also the most interested in going into one of the ICUs (I was offered a job in one of the ICUs originally). I will have just under a year of med/surg/pulmonary experience when I move, so I'm guessing I would not get as extensive of an orientation as, say, a new grad. Are orientations generally adequate there? Any info or words of wisdom on working ICU would be great. I also have some interest in working any outpatient clinics or step down floors. I'm basically open to anything. I would just prefer to move on from med-surg and try something new. I just hope that almost a year of med-surg experience would be considered adequate.

I also understand that AL requires 24 CE hours to transfer my license? I only have a small fraction of that right now, as in MI this requirement is waived for the first year. So do I have to get all of these before applying for a license, or could I be given a timeframe to complete them in AL with a temp license? Hmm...I think I will check out the AL BON site too.

I'm sorry for so many questions. All responses are appreciated. Thanks.

Jedi of Zen · Nov 29, 2007

I am only a student, but based on the majority of the conversations I've had with RN coworkers, as well as what reading I've done, the pay for nurses in AL is not all that great compared to the rest of the country. However, I have heard good things about UAB and the pay. Just secondhand info.

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2007

Well, if you want to work ICU at UAB.... take your pick........lol......there are 8 of them.

As for magnet... yes UAB is the only magnet hospital in the state and just got recertified last year. It is a certification that "measures the quality of nursing staff"....... With low nurse turnover, excellent nursing outcomes..... it also is a certification that allows nurses to have a major input in policy and procedures. UAB has tons of committees that nurses serve on... retention/recruitment, research, evidence based practice, nursing quality....and tons of others. They also have a Clinical Excellence program that acknowledges nurses and ancillary staff who show true professionalism and excellence in patient care. They also encourage clinical advancement.

Orientation for new nurses generally lasts 8-12 weeks, not counting the 2 wks that you are in general hospital orientation and nursing orientation. Once you are actually on your unit, then you have unit specific orientation where you will go to classes as well. If you work in one of the ICUs, then you may go to balloon pump class, CVVHD, cardio service line, critical care consortium........it just depends on what ICU it is. There is ALWAYS some kind of CEU class being offered. I think in one year, I had over 40 CEUs. They also have a new hire support system that actually keeps up with the new hire for a year. They have meetings with the new nurses to find out where or if they are having problems adjusting, are overwhelmed....etc.

The critical care consortium is a city wide class. All of the hospitals in the Birmingham area send all of their new ICU nurses to this class. I think it is like 2 days a week for 3 weeks. It goes over all things involved in ICU. There is a specific presentation for each thing. It is a really great class. You will also go to an EKG class....it is 2 days with nothing but EKG strips.

As far as the board and your CEUs........ for new nurses in Alabama. They prorate how many CEUs you have to have at renewal based on when you graduate nursing school. RN's renew on even years. So if you graduated in May 07, got your license in June 07....... you would have to have 1 CEU for each month left in the year after your got your license for 07....... then have to have 12 for 08. There is a mandatory class that is required now that is the nurse practice act that new grads have to have here. But the board of nursing could tell you more about that since you are going to be moving here at almost the end of the renewal period.

The benefits that far outweigh the lower pay........ tuition. 18 semester hours a year for free. Once you have worked full time for 6 months, you can take 1 class a semester for free. After a year of full time, your spouse can take 1 class a semester for free.......and your kids can go to UAB for 1/2 price. Since I am in graduate school..... that is bout $5000/ year for me alone. My oldest son is starting there in Jan....... He can basically go there for 4 years for the same price that he could go for 2 at a community college and have a bachelor's degree in something instead of an associates. There is no stipulation that you have to work for UAB for so many years after you finish.......it is completely free.

They do have a mandatory retirement.... they take out 5% and it goes into Teachers Retirement since it is a teaching facility. There is also a voluntary retirement as well. You do have to pay for parking......$50/month.... but if you have ever seen the parking around the hospital, you will be happy to pay for a deck..........

Ok, that will give you TONS to think about.......lol......... sorry I got so long.......but those are the things that stand out.......and that I could think of right off the top of my head. Hope it helps!!!!

ladyybuggrn · Dec 3, 2007

Well, if you want to work ICU at UAB.... take your pick........lol......there are 8 of them.
As for magnet... yes UAB is the only magnet hospital in the state and just got recertified last year. It is a certification that "measures the quality of nursing staff"....... With low nurse turnover, excellent nursing outcomes..... it also is a certification that allows nurses to have a major input in policy and procedures. UAB has tons of committees that nurses serve on... retention/recruitment, research, evidence based practice, nursing quality....and tons of others. They also have a Clinical Excellence program that acknowledges nurses and ancillary staff who show true professionalism and excellence in patient care. They also encourage clinical advancement.
Orientation for new nurses generally lasts 8-12 weeks, not counting the 2 wks that you are in general hospital orientation and nursing orientation. Once you are actually on your unit, then you have unit specific orientation where you will go to classes as well. If you work in one of the ICUs, then you may go to balloon pump class, CVVHD, cardio service line, critical care consortium........it just depends on what ICU it is. There is ALWAYS some kind of CEU class being offered. I think in one year, I had over 40 CEUs. They also have a new hire support system that actually keeps up with the new hire for a year. They have meetings with the new nurses to find out where or if they are having problems adjusting, are overwhelmed....etc.
The critical care consortium is a city wide class. All of the hospitals in the Birmingham area send all of their new ICU nurses to this class. I think it is like 2 days a week for 3 weeks. It goes over all things involved in ICU. There is a specific presentation for each thing. It is a really great class. You will also go to an EKG class....it is 2 days with nothing but EKG strips.
As far as the board and your CEUs........ for new nurses in Alabama. They prorate how many CEUs you have to have at renewal based on when you graduate nursing school. RN's renew on even years. So if you graduated in May 07, got your license in June 07....... you would have to have 1 CEU for each month left in the year after your got your license for 07....... then have to have 12 for 08. There is a mandatory class that is required now that is the nurse practice act that new grads have to have here. But the board of nursing could tell you more about that since you are going to be moving here at almost the end of the renewal period.
The benefits that far outweigh the lower pay........ tuition. 18 semester hours a year for free. Once you have worked full time for 6 months, you can take 1 class a semester for free. After a year of full time, your spouse can take 1 class a semester for free.......and your kids can go to UAB for 1/2 price. Since I am in graduate school..... that is bout $5000/ year for me alone. My oldest son is starting there in Jan....... He can basically go there for 4 years for the same price that he could go for 2 at a community college and have a bachelor's degree in something instead of an associates. There is no stipulation that you have to work for UAB for so many years after you finish.......it is completely free.
They do have a mandatory retirement.... they take out 5% and it goes into Teachers Retirement since it is a teaching facility. There is also a voluntary retirement as well. You do have to pay for parking......$50/month.... but if you have ever seen the parking around the hospital, you will be happy to pay for a deck..........
Ok, that will give you TONS to think about.......lol......... sorry I got so long.......but those are the things that stand out.......and that I could think of right off the top of my head. Hope it helps!!!!

UAB is not the only Magnet Hospital in Alabama...Children's Hospital just get Magnet Status

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2007

Did not know that Children's received Magnet!! Congrats to them!!!!!