UMD vs. Johns Hopkins

imenid37 · Jul 20, 2005

I went to UMD for my BSN and am a Baltimore native. It depends on what you want to do. Both have excellent reputations. The Shock Trauma at UMD is second to none (at least that's what I have heard since I was a litttle girl-I am 40 now). They pioneered the "Golden Hour", and many other innovations in trauma care. Hopkins Is US News' top hospital for the 7th or so year in a row. They are both excellent facilities. I'd say Hopkins has a better rep for things like peds, transplants, or open heart. I guess you are looking at a critical care area since you are interested in CRNA. My sister has PBC and severe asthma and has been a pt. at both. She has not had, regrettfully the best experience at either in terms os nursing care. Both were understaffed, esp. on the floors, not so much in the units she was in. She was intubated last year for asthma and was in UMD and dc'd right from the unit after a couple of days and it was not too bad. UMD has a CRNA program now, so I guess if you were in school and trying to work (do people do that for CRNA it's so intense?) you'd be close to school if you worked at MD. I like the neighbourhood over by MD better than Hopkins, but both are a bit dangerous if you have to park far away. I think tuition reimbursement is good at either. I know I have looked at Hopkins myself for OB, but I can't bear the 50+ mile drive. Best of luck to you. I hope you enjoy Baltimore. I'd never go back because the cost of living is high and the city schools are not the best if you have kids. I do miss some things. It's a great place if you are young and single.

Katnip, RN · Jul 20, 2005

I went to UMD also. Imenid is correct. They're both excellent hospitals as far as medical care goes. Nursing care is so-so from what I've heard from patients at both. Although, apparently Hopkins meals are still warm when they get to the patient.

As far as working, I know people who work at both and they all hate it. Both have high turnovers in most specialties.

Hopkins, in my opinion does have the edge over oncology. UMD is second to none as far as trauma.

At Hopkins parking is $10 a day. Or was a couple of years ago. And employees didn't get breaks on it. The neighborhood is worse there. There's a free lot, but most people feel they're taking their lives in there hands parking there.

UMD also has to pay for parking, but I'm not sure how much it is these days.

I do know Hopkins does encourage nursing research and they have a new "alternative medicine" center. Although I prefer the term integrative.

I wish I could be of more help. Hopefully folks who actually work at either place will chime in.