Relocating to the Nashville area in June 2014

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My family and I will be relocating to the Nashville area this summer due to my spouse's new job. I have been researching the area hospitals but have found very little on St Thomas Rutherford. Any information about the area including where to work and live would be greatly appreciated. My spouse is already living there. We wanted the kids to finish the school year before we move them. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

thread moved for best response Welcome!

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

St. Thomas Rutherford recently changed its name from Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Ownership did not change, we had 4 hospitals with different names owned by the same parent. So, to show unity all 4 hospitals names changed to reflect the parent co name. Which is St. Thomas Health Services

St. Thomas Hospital is now St. Thomas West Hospital.

Baptist Hospital is now St. Thomas Midtown Hospital

Hickman is now St. Thomas Hickman Hospital

And MTMC is as above.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.

I relocated to the Nashville area about 2 years ago. I can tell you what I've heard over the past few years. The best areas to live are in west Nashville and south of Nashville (Brentwood and Franklin), most of sumner county (Hendersonville and Gallatin). These areas have higher incomes and better schools. As far as places to work the job market is a bit tight, but there are definitely jobs. The only place I've heard really bad things about it is Summit and Nashville General. I work at Vanderbilt, but they've done a lot of cutting back lately. What type of nursing do you do?

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Thanks for the information. My primary background is in Labor & delivery (LDRP), for the last 3 years I have worked float between our ED and L&D. I also have a little OR experience (circulating csection & recovery). I worked as a school nurse for 2 years and taught high school health occupations for a year. Teaching wasn't really my thing. I realized I didn't really like other peoples teenagers. I have read some on Vandy and a couple of the other hospitals in the area but have not read anything on Saint Thomas. Good or bad. We are looking at Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Franklin areas as well as Mount Juliet since that is where my Husband's company is based. St thomas Murfreesboro has a couple of openings in their women's health areas. My OBGYN that I work with here says I have to work at Vanderbilt. I'm just trying to decided where to apply and when the best time to apply would be since the move isn't until the end of May. I know there are several nursing programs in the area so I do not want to wait to late.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.

I worked for Ascension health the same corporation that owns St. Thomas in another state and it was a good company. The only thing I've heard is the benefits are better at Vanderbilt. We have a lot of former St. Thomas employees that work at Vandy. The pay is not the best in the area, but the benefits are pretty good. I've heard the VA is better, but this is all hearsay. If you have any specific questions about Vanderbilt feel free to send me a private message. Good luck on your search!

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If I were you I would not live in Murfreesboro. There is tons of traffic, espically if you have to commute towards Nashville. The interstate is always backed up or slow heading from Murfreesboro to Nashville. I commuted to Murfreesboro from Nashville for nursing school and I was always thankful that I was headed in the opposite direction. One of the largest university's in the state is located in Murfreesboro (MTSU) and it is very much a college town. I lived there briefly in an apartment and I couldn't wait to get out of that town. I did clinicals at St. Thomas Rutherford (MTMC) and it is a fairly nice and modern hospital. However, If I were looking for a place in the area to deliver a baby it would be one of my last choices, but I don't know how it is working there as a nurse in OB.

I'm sure other people have different experiences with the town but this has been mine.

I heard recently from a friend of mine that all the St. Thomas hospitals are cutting back on benefits. She is looking at getting a job at one of the HCA facilities as a result. The HCA (tristar) facilities are Centennial, Skyline, Southern Hills, Summit and Stonecrest. I know there are more but I can't remember them at the moment. Vanderbilt is a dream hospital for a lot of nurses. I always hear "If you can work there you can work anywhere." I know I would love to work there. Oh and if you are interested since you work OB, the top hospital in the area to deliver a baby is St. Thomas Midtown (Baptist) and they have been for years. I see you've worked in the ED also. Vanderbilt is the only level 1 trauma center in the area (if you like the excitement). On a simular note, Metro General sees the most gun shot wounds, but I would avoid that hospital if you can. I know the VA pays well, but I don't know much else about it. Oh and I should add that I've also heard bad things about Summit and Southern Hills.

This is all the tips I can think of at the moment! Good luck on your move, house & job hunt!! :)

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Thank you all for the information. We know nothing about the area so every bit of info is so helpful. I am starting to get excited but there is so much to do and most of it can not be done until closer to move time.

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I am a graduating nurse this spring and hope to take my NCLEX soon after. My family and I are looking to relocate to the Nashville area, as well, from MA. This has been great information. Any suggestions for a new grad??? Thanks!

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TriStar Centennial has a separate OB ED that they often have positions for, seems like a nice combination for your skill set. Centennial has some of the highest pay for the general area, but do be aware that HCA is a for profit system, so they can be metric and number driven. I know a few people that work at Tristar Hendersonville (to the NE of Nashville) and they love that hospital. St. Thomas Midtown does seem to have the market on OB - but I've worked with former staff from that hospital and they won't go back. Vanderbilt does pay a good $1-2/hr less than other hospitals, but the benefits may make up for it. As for what the patients say about Vandy... they either love it or hate it!

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I agree with other post... Do not live in Murfreesboro. The best school system is Williamson County ( Franklin/Brentwood). It is the county right next to us and is the hub for raising kids. Nashville (Davidson County) you will have to do some some searching for good public schools. Nashville on the west side is the Mecca for private schools. I have school age children. Mine are in private school. I would be happy to answer any questions. Nashville is an awesome place to live... Just have to find a good area/ neighborhood.

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I live in Williamson County and that choice was completely based on the school system. Williamson County offers a variety of housing cost options and tons of family activities but also close enough to downtown Nashville if you want to do things in the "city."

Welcome!

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