There are some other postings regarding St. Alexius in Bismarck that don't reflect my experience with this hospital. So I want to alert those of you that are considering applying what you ought to know beforehand.
I was recently hired a couple of weeks ago and of course I was elated. The hourly rate I was quoted was $22.79 an hour with $1.75 differential after 1500h. That is it, nothing more for weekends, nights etc. Time and a half kicks in after 40 hours and for holidays. Some one else on here is quoting 2x their hourly rate + incentive pick up. Idk...not what I was offered. They don't offer any relocation assistance or allowance for uniforms or reimbursement for license endorsement.
What really sent up red flags was I asked for an offer letter and I got an ambiguous one. No company letterhead, no benefits, how over time is calculated, differential pay, how holiday, sick, or vacation accrual works, anticipated work schedule, insurance, etc and no place to sign and return the form. When asked about this I was met with aggression and rudeness by one H.R. rep. that told me "This is how St. Alexius wants things done and if I don't feel comfortable with it you don't have to take the position!" Well I didn't take the position and that is the sad part for me because I was really looking forward to it but absolutely shocked by the backlash for asking for such a standard document. I have always received an offer letter in any professional position that I have taken. I'm not working in fast food am I?
Here's the part for all you New Grads to be particularly cautious of, they are not guaranteed to offer you anything they told you. They refuse to put any of it in writing for me besides basic rate, supervisor, number of hours per pay period and the floor. I talked to the director of H.R. and he told me that they DO NOT guarantee ANY OF IT, it could change by the time you get there, start working or anytime after.
Good luck for all the risk takers out there. I truly hope everything that was agreed upon verbally by these strangers is legit. I am glad I dodged that bullet. I just couldn't risk signing a lease for a year and find out afterwards that nothing was the way they said it would be. I use to work in H.R. and know part of my job was writing offer letters specifically detailing what was agreed upon. Know this, it is a standard document that lists key points agreed upon that the employee is asked to sign and return to accept its contents. It is there for you to help avoid mistakes by H.R. or payroll when sometimes information gets lost in translation through their system.
This process has affected my perspective of this hospital as unprofessional in creating a successful transition into the work environment. This whole situation seems very opportunistic for them from low wages to the benefit package to lack of accountability for anything they say or are willing to do. I was also told that I am the only one that has ever asked for an offer letter. Really? The things that make you go hmmmm.....
I asked for a written offer when I spoke with HR and within a half hour I had the above letter in my inbox. However incomplete you may feel it is, it worked for me when presented as income verification to lease my luxury crib. Yes of course it's written in their favor, it's the market at work. As in any business it is in their interest to offer only as much incentive needed to keep staffed just like it's in my best interest to seek out the best terms from a potential employer, remunerative or otherwise. And let's face it, the balance sheet is weighted towards the otherwise for an out of state new grad in ND.
Regarding DatMurse being used as a referral, I'm happy to list him. Would I have found St Alexius without him? Yes, but it has been his positive posts about the hospital and his journey as an out of state graduate that grabbed my attention. I don't know what the referral policy is, but I hope he gets something if only to help out a fellow Allnurse.
Anyway, loving the first few steps of this adventure so far.
Please explain why you have asked people on here to use you for a reference when applying. Is there a recruiting incentive? I am referencing another post of yours but this post reminded me to ask you.
I am not sure how you could of been of any assistance to me at all. I was hired almost immediately and I went directly to the source to have all my questions asked.
There is a recruiting incentive. 100 after 3 months and 150 after another year.(I may or may not be around for the other 150) so lets say 100, That is hardly worth my time, I started that post before I even realized there was an incentive until the HR person told my first "recruit(Maternity)" to put my name down in the app. After that I started asking for my name. It got to a point where HR actually asked me for my opinion on how to attract more new grads. They said they will be working on shift incentive, increasing internet contact, etc. Which is also the reason they hired a specific nursing recruiter.
If I leave after a year and a half, atleast I wont feel as bad because I helped the hospital. I told them that I would be around for 2 years, but I want to progress in an oncology only facility. There are some things that honestly are rough such as pay, but the hospital does do a lot of charity work and is considered the highest level of care in ND.
But I honestly like the hospital, and I know there are many new grads looking for a positive learning experience and that need jobs. People here have been nothing but nice to me(I would also like to add for the non-caucasian applicants, that I am half colombian/half filipino).
I could have told you about the informality of the job offer, such as the post. I have talked with some other new grads and we do all agree with you, but you made it sound like it was such a sketchy place. As in "you dodged a bullet", because nothing (including hours)was guaranteed. I would say people's "word" still means something here. I know its definitely not like that in Houston, but on my flight over here I kept thinking "I hope I dont get screwed over".
BTW The only reason I have 60 hours over the next pay period is because I requested 9 days off so I can go to Houston, which they have no problem with.
You are honestly coming off as extremely hostile and rude toward the hospital. If I insulted something you really enjoyed and believed in to create slander over the internet, I am sure you would be angry too.
The OR...they stopped hiring new grads into the OR right after I was hired so I'm thankful I made the cut! The main OR is in the basement but you will find me mostly on the 2nd floor in the Women's Surgery Center OR. :)
Good for you, if you like the OR :) I have never set foot in the OR before. The hospitals where I had clinical rotations did not allow student nurses to go into them, liability issues or something like that. Are you trained for scrub or circulating position or both? How are you liking your unit, St. A, and Bismarck (Idk if you're from ND or somewhere else like myself) so far?
I'm going to St. A next Monday and will be starting orientation on Thursday. I'm so excited but nervous I don't know many people.
Good for you, if you like the OR :) I have never set foot in the OR before. The hospitals where I had clinical rotations did not allow student nurses to go into them, liability issues or something like that. Are you trained for scrub or circulating position or both? How are you liking your unit, St. A, and Bismarck (Idk if you're from ND or somewhere else like myself) so far?
I'm going to St. A next Monday and will be starting orientation on Thursday. I'm so excited but nervous I don't know many people.
I did my senior preceptorship in the OR and knew it was where I belonged. I'm going to be trained in both but so far have only done circulating. I'm from out of state also and so far I'm really liking my job and the hospital. I really like Bismarck as well. I'm from the suburbs back home and Bismarck reminds me of a large suburb. It's convienent that you can go anywhere in town in 10 minutes or less and all the major stores are all so close by.
Good luck to you as you start your new position next week! :)
Hmm - OP's past experience as an "HR Manager" is not really reflected in the stated must-haves for an offer letter. For instance, OT calculation is standard throughout the US in any facility that is compliant with Federal requirements. Maybe this is due to unfamiliarity with the healthcare industry? Hospital staffing is even different from other 24X7 employers, in that we have to flex to meet patient needs as well as many (many, many, many - LOL) other regulatory requirements. I've never seen offer letters that would be that detailed... only contain hourly rate, start date and any other 'side' agreements like relocation allowance. If you need specific info about other terms of employment, they just refer you to the employee handbook & benefit summary.
Glad to hear that ND is working out well for folks. I get a bit riled when confronted by 'carpetbagger' mentality.. people taking advantage of the job climate but unwilling to respect or adapt to other local/cultural changes that may be required. We get a lot of those folks in my neck of the woods.... currently experiencing a huge influx of multi-national and Yankee techies -- GRR.
I did my senior preceptorship in the OR and knew it was where I belonged. I'm going to be trained in both but so far have only done circulating. I'm from out of state also and so far I'm really liking my job and the hospital. I really like Bismarck as well. I'm from the suburbs back home and Bismarck reminds me of a large suburb. It's convienent that you can go anywhere in town in 10 minutes or less and all the major stores are all so close by.
Good luck to you as you start your new position next week! :)
If you see a short Asian girl with a goofy face looking completely lost, that'll be me and, you know, say hi. I'd love to get to know more people at the hospital, even if we don't work on the same unit :)
I just received a verbal offer for a medsurg position at st. alexius. I am really excited about this hospital, but I am from california. Does anyone know how bismarck is for new nurses? especially housing? work environment? i am trying to keep housing 600 or under a month...hopefully with a garage to put the car cuz im pretty sure cars dont work if they sit out in -12 degrees wheather, just guessing since i'm from cali!, is this possible (im single so dont have kids or anything)? THANK YOU in advance!
also, i've heard different things about an offer letter, i havent received one but should i ask (nicely) that they send one before I accept? my dad really thinks i should. any advice?
ok nvm being more realistic, is there housing in bismarck for less than 1000?
Congrats to your offer at st. A. Are you on medical/oncology? I don't think they have a med surg department, which is why I'm asking. They have a separate surgical unit. Regardless, congrats.
In my search for apts, there were many nice places but they didn't have 1 bedroom, and only had 2 bedroom apts which I didn't want because they were more $. but i finally found a place for about 800 in Bismarck and it is a 1 bed 1 bath apartment with a garage. But I have to say that is hard to find a decent place less than 800-900 around here. I believe it's a little less pricey in Mandan which is about 15-20 min away from Bismarck and st. A.
I searched mostly using google, trulia, apartment guide, ndaa websites. I even resort to using craigslist to look for a place lol.
Bismarck is a nice city but it can be kind of "dry" as it doesn't have much fun activities. No nightclubs. But people here are nice, friendly, and helpful. I've met a few nurses from CA and who are also working on the med/onc unit so you won't be the only Cali nurse lol.
About the offer letter, you don't have to worry. When you get here and meet with HR for paperwork, you'll get an official letter inside the new hired packet.
I just received a verbal offer for a medsurg position at st. alexius. I am really excited about this hospital, but I am from california. Does anyone know how bismarck is for new nurses? especially housing? work environment? i am trying to keep housing 600 or under a month...hopefully with a garage to put the car cuz im pretty sure cars dont work if they sit out in -12 degrees wheather, just guessing since i'm from cali!, is this possible (im single so dont have kids or anything)? THANK YOU in advance!
also, i've heard different things about an offer letter, i havent received one but should i ask (nicely) that they send one before I accept? my dad really thinks i should. any advice?
I talked with the nurse recruiter about this. I suggest you contact her to get one in writing. I wouldnt be worried about accepting a verbal offer. I know its scary, I was scared. However it should be fine.
I have a 1br/1ba for 775 in Mandan, built 2 years ago. 820 sqft. Its 10 minutes from my apt door to the floor.
Thank you so much for your help!! Ok, i feel much better about this, i think its a sign that its time to take a leap of faith! I am scared to be completely honest but it helps to have such good reviews of the people and hospital, and all those who i've talked to on the phone have been very helpful. I did find a place in mandan for 1100, 2brm & heat is included, so thinking about it since i could get a roommate eventually and split...much better than when i lived in westwood, cali and paid 650 a month to share a 1brm with 3 other girls!!
OldgradRN
5 Posts
I asked for a written offer when I spoke with HR and within a half hour I had the above letter in my inbox. However incomplete you may feel it is, it worked for me when presented as income verification to lease my luxury crib. Yes of course it's written in their favor, it's the market at work. As in any business it is in their interest to offer only as much incentive needed to keep staffed just like it's in my best interest to seek out the best terms from a potential employer, remunerative or otherwise. And let's face it, the balance sheet is weighted towards the otherwise for an out of state new grad in ND.
Regarding DatMurse being used as a referral, I'm happy to list him. Would I have found St Alexius without him? Yes, but it has been his positive posts about the hospital and his journey as an out of state graduate that grabbed my attention. I don't know what the referral policy is, but I hope he gets something if only to help out a fellow Allnurse.
Anyway, loving the first few steps of this adventure so far.