simmaron

Personally, I do not think a years experience on the floor will benefit you if your ultimate goal is the ICU. Yes, you gain valuable time management skills by having more patients but unless you plan on working on the floor later, it really doesn't come into play in the ICU. The ICU requires so much attention to detail and knowledge of complex physiological states, medications and treatments that if that is where you first learn how to function as a nurse floor, it would be a difficult adjustment. Not that floor nursing is a cakewalk, in fact, I give KUDOS to all floor nurses out there. We get pulled to the floor frequently and I could never do it full time, as I get nervous having 5-6 patient asssignments. Just give me my 2 vented, lined, sedated patients and I am a happy camper. Basically, what it comes down to, is unless you are truely lacking and want more exposure in basic nursing care and asessment skills to increase your confidence, skip the floor nursing and go straight to your passion, the ICU.

We only use it in our severe septic shock patients requiring high vasopressor support either in MOSF or heading in that direction. The most positive results I have seen is when it is started earlier rather than later. Like others have said, I'm not sure if it is the one thing that makes the difference for the patient, as we are doing so many interventions at that point. It seems to be almost like a last ditch effort, when not much more can be ordered or done.

I have only worked at UPMC so I can't talk for West Penn. UPMC does have a significant monopoly in healthcare in Western PA, so it would be hard NOT to find a job somehow involved with UPMC. I do see a pretty decent and variety of different RN job openings, how competetive the position is with multiple applicants, I am not sure, but at least their are postings. West Penn seems to be downsizing, and I have heard of nurses losing their jobs in some areas, so it seems, at least on the outside, that it may be a risky venture to get hired by them right now. The compensation at UPMC, however, is not great. It is in line with the area, but after your initial 1st year, where they do adjust for your years experience, the yearly "raise" is almost comical. The most you can receive is a 2.25% merit raise a year (per UPMC, they do not give a cost of living increase). When I started as a GN a few years ago, the starting salary was $21-22 an hour. And shift differentials, are laughable. A measly $1 an hour for nights and weekends is what everyone gets. At least at my hospital, there has been a big effort to reduce and almost eliminate OT, so don't count on that to boost your salary. Benefits are decent though. The health/dental plans are ok and affordable, (and they should be if your WORKING for the company). They did, however, decrease the match to your 401K plan contributions from 6% last year to only up to 4% this year. This in addition to witholding our annual "raise" for 6 months due to "economy issues." I know UPMC Shadyside just received their magnet status, and I know all the other UPMC hospitals are trying to achieve that as well. I personally, have not heard from those who worked at a magnet hospital that it makes a difference, but it can't hurt I guess. If you find your niche/specialty area you enjoy, then you should be happy. My only recommendation when applying is to e-mail or call the nurse manager of the unit you are applying to at least mention that you are applying and to throw your name out there. I have heard from some managers that they do not even get the resumes of half the online applicants, so you have to go an extra step further if you really want to be noticed and given an interview. Regardless, good luck in your search!

First off, I want to congratulate you on getting accepted into PITT. It is a very competitive university to get accepted into. I graduated in 2007 with my BSN right out of high school. The clinical experience was very unique, varied, and challenging. UPMC practically owns the majority of the healthcare system in Western PA, so there is no shortage of possible clinical sites. From what I remember, most clinical sites were assigned to us. Most clinicals are in the Pittsburgh city UPMC hospitals (such as Presby, Childrens, WPIC, Magee, Shadyside, etc.) so if you are living on campus, they are easily accessible via city or PITT bus (free with student ID). There are a couple clinicals which require off campus travel, such as to community hospitals, nursing homes, etc. For those, car pools were coordinated within your clinical groups. Overall, the dynamic with our nursing class was very nice. Everyone was pretty helpful and friendly, although there will always be competition in an academic environment, it was a wonderful experience. The school itself wants you to succeed, so they will accommodate for extenuating circumstances, however, this is college now, so if you don't do the work and study, you will not pass. They will guide you but will not hold your hand. Most of my classmates were offerred jobs the spring semester of senior year while in Transitions (the last course with 1:1 clinical experience in your area of interest). You are able to network as a student, and with the name PITT on your resume, they will definately notice you. My only advice is to befriend the nurse managers/supervisors in the areas you want to eventually work in. They will then recognize your name when you apply and you will be more likely to get an interview. As a new nurse grad, the saying, "It is not what you know but who you know," definately applies. Hope this helps your decision, and good luck!