zoni56

I've been turned down by form email from 3 Baptist hospitals in this area. Nurse managers don't return phone calls.

HCA is the worst place to work for anywhere...Florida to Arizona. I've worked in 2 of their facilities and wouldn't enter another HCA facility if it were the last hospital on the face of the planet.

Jacksonville hospitals seem to be going through a hiring freeze at this time. I have applied at every hospital here in Jacksonville and you'd think with 30+ years experience I wouldn't have a problem. I'm currently looking outside of Jacksonville for employment.

Ok got that...I have a job interview there..where would you suggest living even if I end up working there? Please keep in mind that I'm working nite shift and I don't want to be driving an hour to get home to crash. I'd like some place safe and not too expensive.

I have a job interview in Homestead Florida. I need to make an informed decision about moving down there. I have never visited southern Florida. My understanding is it's outside of Miami. Has anyone ever had experience working for Baptist Healthcare System in southern Florida?

I have had the opportunity to have a little break from my specialty due to the recession and circumstances beyond my control. The majority of my 30 + years of nursing experience has been in Labor and Delivery and I am ready for a change. I have found that one of my strengths is IV/phlebotomy. I'm seriously considering changing my specialty and would appreciate some guidance. I currently live in Florida and need to remain here for another 4 years.

I have been a labor and delivery nurse for 25 years and now I'm considering changing my specialty to forensic nursing. Do you have any advise as to how to make this change?

It sounds like the hospital with the tubs and the private rooms is the way to go as they seem a little more of a relaxed atmosphere. Uaually in that type of atmosphere, the staff are a bit more receptive to the pt's wishes. Wanting to have your baby with you continuously is not unreasonable. Moms who breastfeed often request this along with requesting that their infants don't receive pacifiers or sugar water/formula. As long as baby nurses well and the baby's blood sugar is within normal limits, supplimentation is often not needed. Intravenous access is necessary during childbirth especially if you have a history of beta strep. However you can request an INT or Heplock where the IV is capped off but available for use as it will enable the nursing staff to administer the necessary antibiotics. The INT will allow you some freedom with getting up to the bathroom w/o having to schlep the IV pole and all with you. You may not need an epidural however if you do need one an IV is a must in which case the IV solution is easily hooked up to the INT/heplock. I always ask the couple if they have any special plans or requests for their delivery and do my best to accomodate them as long as the circumstances permit.

I haven't heard anything positive about that place. The patients that I have cared for who had previously received care at OP didn't have anything good to say...sorry.

St. Lukes is currently affiliated with Mayo...until April. Then it's affiliation ceases as it was purchased by St. Vincents. Good hospital