IVNinja300

Thank you all so much. I think I confidently answer this question now.

Thank you! I do plan on delving into their website. But I do not think I can avoid their question by answering how much I like their hospital. I am stumped because I know I should not say anything bad about my employment now, but I do not know how to put a "good" spin on it. The critical care division has really gotten bad with ratios all the way to ALL (and I mean ALL) of the ICU management being fired.

Follow up: Had the interview, was extremely nervous (not sure why, havent been that nervous before in an interview) thought it went ok, know that I did not knock it out of the park, but know that I did not completely bomb it either. Well, the manager and I keep playing phone tag. This last message she left me was to thank me for interviewing and to give me feedback (3 weeks later!) So I am thinking I didnt get it, then she goes on to say to call her back so we can discuss the position further! ??? So confused. Such a "gray area" message. Anyways called her back, (30 min later) she didnt answer and I have yet to hear from her 10 days later. What is your take?

So I have an ICU interview coming up. One of the questions I know that they are going to ask is "Why are you not trying to move into the ICU at your hospital?" I come from a big level I trauma hospital Stepdown unit, and my interview is at another (local) level I trauma hospital. I do not want to stay at my hospital because it has gotten really bad with management. Everyone is leaving, so I am sure the "new" hospital knows why, but will still probably ask me. What do I say?

I am suppose to go on a job shadow in the ICU next week with an interview afterwards. I am wondering what kind of questions should I ask the nurse(s) that I follow? I know the questions I want to ask in the interview but dont want to risk looking stupid if I am asking the same ones. Would like different questions for the shadow. Also what am I allowed to do while shadowing? I know that I cannot do patient care, but do not want to be the one "taking up space." I want to be helpful. I have 5 years med/surg experience and 2 years stepdown ICU experience.

DO any of you know, or work or have worked at Swedish? Looking for some insight. Especially into the critical care area.

jadelpn, I think you are right. This is the "perfect storm" and after hearing some stuff going on, I believe it is only going to get worse. We have a new CNO, who seems to not put up with this kind of stuff, but I am sure that correcting all of this and getting the hospital going back in the right direction will be years away. Slow, steady process.

Nadroujj, Your hospital sounds exactly like mine The management is still not doing well and has seen a lot of managers come and go. And something "big" happened even higher up that prompted 2 managers/directors to give their notice on the same day!! So i think it is only going to get worse from here. Like someone else posted, it is becoming the "perfect storm." Which shocks me because I would think a level 1 trauma hospital would have their $h*t together and run like a well oiled machine!

OrganizedChaos, I have applied to different hospitals, and have been offered 2 jobs at different hospitals; but I have turned them down because both more than double my commute. However I did like to see what options were out there and it was great to interview and get back into that. At this hospital I have since cut back hours and still looking at the hospital I think I want to move onto. I would like to stay at a level 1; but there are not that many here.

DeLanaHarvickWannabe, I think that this is going to be my plan. I have cut back hours and just "looking" for the right position. I have already turned down 2 other offers at different hospitals that I got.

So I have been an RN for 6 years, with the last 2 in a Step-down ICU. My ultimate career goal is to become an ICU float RN. Well management is really not doing good at my hospital in the ICU division with 2 directors giving notice and leaving the same day. When I applied and inquired about a few ICU positions I was told "sure, lets set up a day to meet and chat" by 2 of the directors (there are 4 directors total). Never heard from these managers and followed up with an email. 1 finally got back to me today (after a month) and said that he is not looking to hire any of us right now (even though there are openings) Any by any of us, there are 4 of us Step-down RN's looking to move into the ICU. There has been rumors that these managers are "blocking" us from moving because the step-down is poorly run and desperately need the help, therefore not allowing the staff to move. The management of this unit has seen 9 managers since I have been there! So what should I do? I am at the point where I do not feel like fighting to get my way into this ICU; however I am feeling so lost career wise and if i even want ICU anymore. Feeling deflated.

The hospital I was at previous was not like this at all. Yes there were days we were short staffed, but those were far and few between. Plus they treated us very well with gifts and incentives and bonuses. I would go back there but it was not critical care and that is what I love.

You have described my hospital to a T!! They want you to come in cause they are short, yet when I requested a PTO day (and filled out and turned in my slip) it was "lost"

So I am wondering if this is everywhere? The hospital I work at is a level 1 trauma center and management/administration here is absolutely HORRIBLE!! I have been a nurse for 6 years with the last 1 1/2 here. Since I came on I have had 9 different managers for the ICU with each being the worst than before. The new one they just promoted has been a nurse less than me, without a MSN. I am just appalled by this and am thinking of quitting; but before I do I would like to make sure this doesnt happen everywhere.

I definitely should fill out an incident report; however who can I report not only being berated to by my sup, but also the unsafeness of the unit. Unfortunately we do not have a union, that I can find anyways. Any idea on what I can look up on the company website. I spent a good while last night doing that and only found policies, etc. This is not the first time this has happened, actually happens almost daily. I have filed a complaint with HR about how I was treated (yelled at infront of co-workers, berated, etc) with how my supervisor handled it. I am currently looking for something else but want to see something done about the unit.