SJ hospitals??

rnmaven · May 14, 2004

Hi! I'm new to this website and wanted to see if anyone could offer any advice. I graduate in September w/ my BSN and live near Phila. Wanted to see if anyone could tell me anything good or bad about some SJ hospitals, like: Cooper, Kennedy, Virtua, Lourde's?? I'm looking to start in Med-surg and then into the OR. Anything you can tell me would be helpful. Thanks!

Why not just work in Philly......nice hospitals and certainly more progressive than South Jersey (in my opinion)

However, if I were just starting out I guess I'd try Med/Surg at one of the smaller places like Kennedy and Virtua. I can't imagine WHAT med/surg would be in Camden! YIKES!

If I were going to do Critical Care I guess my preference would be Cooper because they have the trauma center and it's UMDNJ medical school.

Good luck! But seriously.........look at Philly hospitals it's such an easy commute from South Jersey depending on where you're living now.

nursing04 · May 14, 2004

Thank you for your advice. Are there any Phila hospitals you might suggest looking into?? I see your point about being more progressive. My fear is that the patient's will be so much more critical (even in med-surg) then in nj that I might be more overwhelmed. Especially since I really have no experience except for the limited time I spend in clinicals. Thanks again, Silia

rnmaven · May 18, 2004

Thank you for your advice. Are there any Phila hospitals you might suggest looking into?? I see your point about being more progressive. My fear is that the patient's will be so much more critical (even in med-surg) then in nj that I might be more overwhelmed. Especially since I really have no experience except for the limited time I spend in clinicals. Thanks again, Silia

Why not schedule some time touring a few facilities that seem within a commutable distance. I don't know how the acuity would be in med/surg in Philly vs. South Jersey. It's possible that the smaller South Jersey hospitals would have a lower acuity level, but that's hard to gauge without actually seeing what's going on. The bottom line is that in the US we are dealing with an aging population and for the most part when I work Med/Surg I am usually caring for pts who are in their 80's......lots of meds, lots of confusion, lots of work. I don't mind med/surg once in awhile but I really prefer critical care.

If you live within a decent distance of the University of Pennsylvania.....I love that hospital. Or Jefferson. But again, I really think specialty when I think of those types of hospitals. I don't think I'd do med/surg in those larger places unless I really knew what the nurse:patient staffing ratios are.

Good luck!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · May 18, 2004

Lots of choices in that area, Silia.

Check 'em out on the net and see what strikes you.

Good lucK!

TraumaNurse · May 19, 2004

I think you will just have to look check out a few of the hospitals and see what you think. There are pros and cons to EVERY hospital, you just have to chose which things you are willing to deal with.

If you want a teaching hospital, Philly has lots of options but Cooper is a great trauma center too. I worked in the Trauma ICU there. Cooper also has a union and just passed a 6:1 ratio for Med/surg in the last contract. That is nice to see. Back when I did med/surg, I had 10-14 patients on a heavy surgical floor with next to no help! Things are improving is some ways.

As far as I know, Lourdes and Cooper have been giving decent sign-on bonuses to new grads. Camden may be a dump but it really isn't that bad to work in. I have heard some horror stories from some of the hospitals in Philly too, so be careful.

I have heard good things about Virtua, and have heard good and bad about Kennedy, but I Do not have any personal experience with those hospitals. There is NO perfect hospital! Pick your poison, and good luck.

lilNJrn · Jun 10, 2011

Honestly, I work for Kennedy and I have to say overall its not what i expected. I've heard a lot of good things about Virtua