Tell me about working in hospitals in Bergen County?

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Specializes in psych, ltc, case management.

Hello,

I am doing research on my new career in nursing (I am waiting to hear from schools now) and I just finished a great book about the state of hospitals in the 90's. I am wondering though how things have changed since then.

What hospital do you work at? Do you feel like the hospital is a good palce to work as an RN? Are you forced to work overtime or are your hours flexible? What is your nurse to patient ratio? Are you distinguished from nurse aides or are you a "patient care associate"? Do you feel like your patients are often in unsafe situations? Do you feel like you could tell somebody if they were? Do you feel like anything would happen if you did? Do you spend more time at the beside, or doing paperwork? Do you have any time to further education through the hospital? Do you feel like physician and RN communication is encouraged, and does it happen?

Anything else that would be helpful to share is appreciated. I am very interested in what you have to say!

Thank you!:D

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Are you asking about nursing in general, or specifically to hospitals in Bergen County?

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Specializes in psych, ltc, case management.

Begren county would be ideal..but if you have something to say I would like to hear it. :)

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

What hospital do you work at?

- Columbia Presbyterian in NYC

Do you feel like the hospital is a good palce to work as an RN?

- Yes. It's the only place for me, as far as I'm concerned.

Are you forced to work overtime or are your hours flexible?

- Mandatory OT is illegal per our contract with the hospital (we're a union facility) However we can be mandated to stay a few extra hours in extreme circumstances of emergency, such as bad snowstorms, etc.

What is your nurse to patient ratio?

- Depends on the floor. I work NICU. Anywhere from 1-3 pts, very infrequently: 4.

Are you distinguished from nurse aides or are you a "patient care associate"?

- I am a Clinical Nurse I. I've never heard of a place that referred to a licensed nurse as a PCA, only unlicensed personnel.

Do you feel like your patients are often in unsafe situations?

- Sometimes, when I'm overloaded, or hell breaks loose.

Do you feel like you could tell somebody if they were?

-We tell our manager all the time.

Do you feel like anything would happen if you did?

-No. We fill out protest of assignment papers all the time.

Do you spend more time at the beside, or doing paperwork?

- Depends on the patient, but paperwork does take up a good chunk of time.

Do you have any time to further education through the hospital?

- I work nights, and don't come in for any classes ( all scheduled during the day)

I am also in grad school.

Do you feel like physician and RN communication is encouraged, and does it happen?

- Yes. It is vital in the care of our patients in my unit.

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Hey SteveRN

Can I ask:

what are the salaries like at Columbia ?

how is the parking ?

Tuition Reimbursement ?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

what are the salaries like at Columbia ?

- per last cycle's contract (which we are in the middle of negotiations for) Base salary is around 68k, plus $6k night diff, experience diff, and educational diff. It's very easy to hit $80k with a few years experience.

how is the parking ?

- You can get employee parking in the garage for around $110-120/mo,, which comes to around $10/shift. It's taken pretax from your paycheck

Tuition Reimbursement ?

- $10k a year for any school. You have to stay employed for 6 months after you receive the money, NOT after graduation.

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Thanks for the reply SteveRN,

Does Columbia have 8 or 12hr shifts ?

How are they with hiring male nurses ?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'm sure there are a few floors that do 8hr shifts, but the vast majority are 12h. They don't care if you're a guy or girl. Bring a license and you're in.

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I'm sure there are a few floors that do 8hr shifts, but the vast majority are 12h. They don't care if you're a guy or girl. Bring a license and you're in.

Thanks for the replies my friend. You have been very helpful.

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oh wait...

If one wanted to further their education, is there an easier route for admittance into Columbia University since you are an employee ? I am assuming the hospital and university are affiliated.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Hmmmm. I don't think so. I was accepted to CU before I applied for my job. It really depends on the program you want. I chose the Neonatal NP program, which is not one of the more popular ones. The plus side is that my classes are small, with 5-6 people. The FNP, ACNP and CRNA programs are much larger and may (guessing here) be a little tougher to get into. I had a 3.7 GPA, and a 1100 GRE score and got in no problem. Paying for it has been more of a problem. The hospital and school are affiliated, so you do a lot of advanced practice clinicals at NY Pres facilities like Cornell, Westchester and Columbia Pres.

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what are the salaries like at Columbia ?

- per last cycle's contract (which we are in the middle of negotiations for) Base salary is around 68k, plus $6k night diff, experience diff, and educational diff. It's very easy to hit $80k with a few years experience.

how is the parking ?

- You can get employee parking in the garage for around $110-120/mo,, which comes to around $10/shift. It's taken pretax from your paycheck

Tuition Reimbursement ?

- $10k a year for any school. You have to stay employed for 6 months after you receive the money, NOT after graduation.

You're the most informative person I've read so far, although i just joined this forum. Do you commute to the city or do you live in the city? If you commute do you car pool how is the commute I live 45 min away from the city and wonder if this would take a toll on my family life ( I dont have kids just a loving husband ) ;D I am not a Nurse yet but am working at it - pre-nursing student - I just like to get all angles on this field as much as possible. I bought the NCLEX book, and a Pre-Nursing book and a calculations Booklet for some spare time reading before I re-enroll back into school and finish up.. Any suggestions, i am trying to get a job as a Unit Secretary Nights so I can go to school during the mid afternoons. I am crossing my fingers :D

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