Tenet Hospitals in Houston

[pinkynbd_99]

Im a new grad in May and applying to the major hospitals known in Houston, but I don't know much about the Tenet hospitals (I know Houston NW). So for new grads, does anyone recommend certain ones than others? I don't know if the ones downtown are any better with the training? I just want to know from ppl that work there or have started as new grads what they've thought about it and any advice? Thanks

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Point of clarification. I don't know if this is the area you were referring to as "downtown" but there can be no for-profit hospitals within the Texas Medical Center itself - it is a legal stipulation.

Many of the Medical Center facilities have had significant cut-backs on their formal new grad programs and some are limited to BSN only. If you are interested, you should be applying now.

[RNQueen]

Park Plaza Hospital and Plaza Specialty Hospital at the northern edge of Hermann Park in Museum District are Tenet-owned. I had clinicals there and I don't like the place. In fact I hate all the for-profit places where I had clinicals namely Tenet and HCA hospitals but Park Plaza comes last.

[pinkynbd_99]

I don't understand this "for-profit" thing, what does that mean compared to other hospitals?

[nurse4hearts]

Anyone else? I am curious about the Tenet hospitals as well!

[RNQueen]

"For profit" means that they are doing business, they are in it to make money. Most hospitals are non-profit. It really doesn't matter to you the staff except that I've heard some people complain that 'for profit' facilities make you work more. Most effect is seen in the patient population (they won't take people without insurance or the ability to pay), types and amount of donations the can receive, and how they file tax.

Apart from nursing homes, HCA, Tenet, and HPA hospitals are the for profit set up that I know.

[pinkynbd_99]

Thanks so much for the clarification. I didn't know that was term for that, I have heard of what you're saying but didn't know that was what it was called. I really helps when making a decision about employment, so we'll see.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Basically, for-profit entities have to operate in a way that generates income for their shareholders. This naturally requires more focus on the 'business' aspects. From an operational perspective, profitablity trumps everything. Not-for-profits are more mission-driven, so they may choose to continue to provide an unprofitable service because it supports their mission. For instance, my organization has several ventures that are actually 'loss centers' (food for homeless, senior assistance, etc.) where no income is generated at all -- because they support our mission. I am certainly not saying that either (FP or NFP) type of organization delivers 'better' patient care than the other.

The for-profit and not-for-profit distinction also affects tax status. FP organizations must pay tax on their profits. NFP organizations must reinvest everything into their operations and also provide a defined amount of 'community value' in the form of voluntary (free) services and unreimbursed care. "Public" hospitals are NFP & they are supported by a tax district. But not all NFP's are tax supported; many are faith- or culturally-based providers. There are some other internal 'legalish' things that differentiate working for NFPs such as how retirement accounts are handled and what they are called.