Seton vs. Parkland

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Hi all!

I have the option of working at either Seton Medical Center in their ICU which is mainly a Cardiovascular ICU and does heart transplants, ECMO, etc. or at Parkland in their ICU/Trauma internship. I have heard from some nurses I know who work in Dallas that Parkland has a high turnover rate, but I also know they have a really great reputation as a place you can learn a ton. Seton seemed like a really great unit and I would love to learn about all the specialty cardiac patients. I was wondering if anyone had any advice about which one to choose? Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Impossible to answer.

Parkland is a safety net hospital that will give you exposure to nursing experience that is only available at a few hospitals across the nation. Not only will you be exposed to a wide variety of conditions and socio-economic variances, you will experience an extremely diverse patient population and work force. The internships at Parkland are exceedingly competitive, averaging hundreds of applicants for only a few slots. If you got offered one, you are the cream of the crop and should look seriously before turning away. Not everyone can deal with the unique patient population and culture of Parkland Hospital. There is turnover but it is not beyond the ratio you see at other DFW hospitals when you look at the number of nurses employed at Parkland (over 4000) compared to those who leave. Those who find their home at Parkland tend to stay 20, 30, 40+ years and "bleed purple", as they say. It has strong nursing leadership now and nursing has a strong voice in all areas. It is a very good time to jump on board at Parkland. I could tell you more, but this would be a very long post.

That being said, if Cardiology is your thing, then Seton may be for you. Impossible for an outsider to say. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut. Parkland isn't easy. At all. But it is vast, complex, interesting, challenging and bonding for those who make it there.

I am a fan of Parkland. I have nothing bad to say about Seton. Perhaps someone with knowledge of that hospital will chime in. Just know if you turn down the internship offer it will swiftly go to the next candidate with no looking back.

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Hi @as988,

Did Parkland already contact you on your acceptance to the program? I interviewed as well, but was told they would not be letting us know until this coming week.

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@Sturn17 and @as998

I got an offer for the Parkland internship and accepted it on March 29! I'd love to get in contact with the other interns! I think there are only 15 of us.

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Specializes in ICU.

At first Depended on where you wanted to live but I guess Dallas won. goodluck.

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