Questions about Children's Memorial

IGiveTheShots · Jan 11, 2009

I work as a CNA in ambulatory, so I guess I can't really help you out in those areas, but I will say that CMH is putting a freeze on new hires because of budget related issues. I would still apply, it never hurts (I got hired the first week of December, right before the freeze; I don't know how long it will last or if its only partial). Anyway, I also wanted to say that I don't have much experience with inpatient but from what I see, CMH fosters a fantastic, supportive environment. Nurses constantly call me into rooms to ask if I want to observe procedures (I'm a nursing student as well) and offer their advice. I'm really happy with the hospital. Also, I'm not sure what the base pay is for nurses, but for CNAs the pay is well above the national average.

mzjones6 · Jan 11, 2009

i work as a cna in ambulatory, so i guess i can't really help you out in those areas, but i will say that cmh is putting a freeze on new hires because of budget related issues. i would still apply, it never hurts (i got hired the first week of december, right before the freeze; i don't know how long it will last or if its only partial). anyway, i also wanted to say that i don't have much experience with inpatient but from what i see, cmh fosters a fantastic, supportive environment. nurses constantly call me into rooms to ask if i want to observe procedures (i'm a nursing student as well) and offer their advice. i'm really happy with the hospital. also, i'm not sure what the base pay is for nurses, but for cnas the pay is well above the national average.

so this freeze includes new grads that interviewed for their internship program? i know someone who interviewed around the beginning of december.

IGiveTheShots · Jan 11, 2009

I dont know details about the freeze so I don't want to speculate, I just know it exists. If its something that may affect you I would just contact HR and ask.

KidsRN9 · Jan 14, 2009

Starting pay for new grads is around $25/hr which is actually less than most of the other hospitals in the area. That is for days, night shift plan on an extra $3-4.50/hr depending on the day and shift(weekends are more). That being said, the Residency program is fantastic and I doubt that any other in the area would compare. It is a great program. They are hiring new grads for March in the PICU and Neuro from what I can tell (I know they are hiring in the PICU for sure). Psych is obviously much different from the other 2 specialties you mentioned, so if I were you I would choose ahead of time an apply to your first choice because they will probably ask you why you applied to the other units also when they are so different. PICU is very intense and can be intimidating for new grads, but if you are up for the challenge then go for it! I have heard great things about the Neuro floor as well. Good luck!

mzjones6 · Jan 17, 2009

Base pay for CMH is 24.50/hr per the job offer I received. The shift differential does make up for it though. I've offered a night shift position in Neuro, so it comes out to around 28/hr. My internship in the Neuro will be 4 months long.

I had originally applied for the PICU internship but they thought I'd do better in an inpatient, even though my preceptorship in nursing school was all PICU. As KidsRN9 stated, they say that the PICU is very imtimidating and intense, and alot of new grads have had to quit the PICU because it's so much at one time. Its very intense and they acuity level of the patients there are very high. They have Level I traumas and extremely ill kids, and most new grads haven't been around.

The program is the best around though. The amount of time they spend making sure you're transitioning well into nursing is unlike anything else I think you can get in Chicago.