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.....
