St. Johns Mercy

TrudyRN · Apr 7, 2007

I currently work at SSM St. Josephs and I know they have some kind of loan forgiveness program as well as tutition reimbers. for further education. I don't know the details of the loan forgiveness but the recruiter I spoke with and human resources are all very helpful and nice. I was just wondering about St. Johns because I've always wanted to work at a big busy teaching hospital.

If you want big, busy teaching, go to BJC on Kingshighway. It doesn't get any bigger or busier than that.

christmasjmt · Apr 7, 2007

What do you know about BJC? Do they treat their nurses well? I know they are a magnet hospital which should mean that they do. How's the pay and the working conditions/atmosphere?

Cardiolyte · Apr 10, 2007

St. John's Mercy at Springfield the RN base is $16.50 per hour. ALL the hospitals in Southwest MO are ununionized. They do have student loan reimbursement. RN/pt ratios........1/8...depending on shift, floor, et.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Apr 10, 2007

I talked to a friend who's a tech at St. John's (St. Louis) and she said that's where she plans to work after we graduate. She think it's a great facility, union or not...she said the subject of the union is never even brought up that she's aware.

One of our instructors used to work @ St. John's and she talks favorably about them also.

luvs2readlotsRN · Apr 11, 2007

Thanks wdwpixie! Any insight to this facility is most appreciated! I will say that HR people visited our SNA meeting last semester and at the time I was very impressed with the fellowship programs they had for new graduating nurses. My only questions where about the work environment itself. I've only heard positive things so far...all good signs!

BeccaznRN, RN · Apr 12, 2007

I think it's all relative, because I've known a few people that were/are absolutely unhappy at St. John's (in St. Louis). It probably also depends on which specialty area you decide to pursue. That's the great thing about St. Louis - there are fabulous opportunities for nurses at many different facilities.

tch2tlk · Apr 15, 2007

Are you talking about the one in St.Louis or Springfield?

luvs2readlotsRN · Apr 18, 2007

The one in St. Louis...St John's Mercy Medical Center(looks like there is one in Springfield MO too!)

christymwinn · Apr 23, 2007

I have not worked at St. John's, but I did a few clinicals there and I knew I would not work there when I graduated b/c I couldn't stand most of the nurses attitudes! ( and this was mainly in the women's services,L&D, and such!) that's where the "nicest" ones are supposed to be. I was not impressed at all. I have worked at SSM St. Joe's and am currently at SSM St. Joe's West and I am fairly happy. But to be honest, there probably isn't one "great" place to be. Any hospital is going to have their problems, and I do know that St. John's has high acuity. As does DePaul,St. Mary's,Barnes in St. Louis, and SLU. I would visit them all and see where you feel you fit.

Good luck and let us know what you think.

EXmpFUTURErn · May 11, 2007

I have not worked at St. Johns Mercy. One of my good friend's mom is a RN at a nearby hospital. I asked her about the scoop. St. John's is a union hospital. It is the only one in the area. Good thing- it's hard for you to get fired. You always have the union to support you. Bad thing- you might work with idiots that CAN'T get fired due to the union. You will have dues taken out each month. Depending on the position (FT, PT, PDM), the dues may not be worth it. The good news that I have found is most area hospitals keep up with St. John's pay (they are competing against the union). Think about this though- if you are getting paid more at St. John's, is it worth it if dues are taken out?

This is what I have found out about it. Don't know if it helps anyone or not. Me personally, I was born there, I've been there for surgery. I think it is a GREAT hospital.

I have not worked there though. Things might be a little different behind the scenes (if you know what I mean).

WDWpixieRN, RN · May 11, 2007

Think about this though- if you are getting paid more at St. John's, is it worth it if dues are taken out?

I understand that joining the union is optional. Unlike most union facilities, it is not mandatory to join the union to work there.

I'm not looking to start a war about union v. non-union and how ethical it is to not pay dues; this was just something that was pointed out by someone in my class and I believe was mentioned during the last strike. It was also mentioned that management's been trying to bust the union there for quite some time.

Sillynicunurse · May 11, 2007

First, welcome to the area !!! I worked at St. John's as a tech and am not interested in pursing a career in nursing at that facility. I have taken a position at another local facitliy and have loved every minute of it! The nurses that I worked with at St. John's were for the most part wonderful but the managment was very difficult to deal with. The union issue wasn't one that was discussed very frequently and from what I understand it is optional to be a union member. I have also done clinicals there for school and what the OP said about the unfriendly staff in OB, L&D, and PP were 100% correct only I would like to add the newborn and special care nursery's and peds to the list of unfriendly people. I had never been treated so rudely in my life. On the flip side I have done clinicals on the Med-Surg floors, rehab, spent time in the burn unit, PACU, Same Day Surgery, OR, and NICU and was welcome with open arms and the nurses there wanted us to have the opportunity to learn everything we could. Every person is different and you may take a position there and love it. It just doesn't seem to be the place for me.