Public or Private for New Grad?

[kc171]

Hello All,

I am a new graduate RN, and I have been pursuing an ED position for my first job. I realize that new grads in the ED is a controversial topic in itself, however I feel that I am up for the challenge. I currently have two job offers. The first is from a beautiful private hospital in an affluent suburb. It offers a year long nurse fellowship program for new grads, with the first 3 months being strictly classroom style and simulation learning. I was told in the interview that most patients wealthy residents that expect a certain level of care. The second offer is from a public hospital in a busy metropolitan area. The orientation seems supportive, yet less intense than the fellowship program. Because the hospital provides care regardless of ability to pay, the patient population would likely be more diverse. Both EDs are level 1, and have similar numbers of visits per year. My goals are to become a confident and efficient professional nurse. I hope to due travel nursing in a couple of years, and would like to take the position that will give me the best experience and make me an attractive employee. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[RN2B123]

I would pick the hospital 1, as the orientation seems to be better.

1 year orientation sounds great!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

A Level I trauma center in a private hospital? That seems like a rarity.

I was told in the interview that most patients wealthy residents that expect a certain level of care.

Be aware: you're being told clearly here that patient perceptions of care will be considered just as important, if not more so, than the actual medical outcomes. Standards of care remain the same whether a patient is "wealthy" or lives in a cardboard box.

[TraumaNurseRN]

I think the second hospital would be the way to go!

[tryingtohaveitall]

#1 sounds like you'd get a terrific education before you start seeing the patients. Often a setup like that will also have better staffing ratios. Is there a way of talking to nurses from both places? That might be a nice way of finding out what it's really like.