Internships at GW Hospital

BBQvegan · Jul 22, 2006

I'm also interested.... No one out there?

scully_forensic · Oct 3, 2006

I have been to the GW Hospital open house in August and they offer (among others) ICU and ER/Trauma internship. From what they were describing both of these internships looked like great very well organized and INTENSE! programs. The lady who is teaching them seemed very knowledgeable, serious and demanding. There are classroom activities with I think about 4 tests, tons of reading and memorizing. She said that we should pass our NCLEX first because there's not going to be time to study for both NCLEX and the exams. If you fail the exams you're out. It depends if you're interested in more classes or just want to do the job. So much I remember. I would definitely apply, but I live a bit too far.

Good luck

Scully

RNchemo · Oct 26, 2006

Scully,

Thanks for the information about George Washington's ICU internship. It sounds like a great challenge.

I am moving to DC after graduation this May 2007 to join my soon-to-be husband:) It is difficult to get a "feel" for the programs and hospital culture without being able to attend those open houses or do clinicals in the area! A candid opinion from someone who has been there is tops!

Any staff nurses, agency, students or others who have additional information, please, feel free to post about the internship program or GW in general!!

-Thanks

agoodusername · Nov 12, 2006

I've recently been talking to GW nurse recruiters about their new grad program. After e-mailing them early one morning, I received an e-mail within an hour with some very good info (such a prompt response has yet to happen at any other hospital I've enquired at -- very impressive). The nurse recruiter that I have been speaking with is extremely nice, helpful and very available. She sent me some info through the mail which was somewhat vague, but we plan on speaking later this week on the phone...will have more info to share then!

Here's what I know for sure: Apparently, on February 3rd, they have a new-grad hire day, where they interview and hire 80% of their new grads -- not a day you want to miss if you're interested in their program!:)

Here's the site: http://www.thenurseshospital.com/contact.htm -- because there is info that you need to have prepared and an RSVP in order to attend/interview on Feb 3rd.

Have also talked with a grad of this program who did the L&D track, and although our communication has just started, she said that the program is almost like being in grad school because of the classes that they offer (yay!) -- I've heard nothing but good things about the program thus far, so any critiques from grads would be good to know!

Will have more info to share later this week, but generally, I've been nothing but impressed with all of my dealings with GW thus far.

robbhman · Nov 22, 2006

Will have more info to share later this week, but generally, I've been nothing but impressed with all of my dealings with GW thus far.

So what did you find out? I'm very interested in this program.

mumarada, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2006

Hello,

I don't know if it'll help but I went through the ICU course back in Jan 2000. I thought it was very thorough and I learned a lot. It incorporated both classroom time and clinical through preceptors. There were mainly 2 teachers and they would alternate. It was fun and I recommend it. They had a contract that you would stay on for 18 months, which I stayed for 5 years and left to work closer to home.

Jenn

agoodusername · Jan 10, 2007

Hello,
I don't know if it'll help but I went through the ICU course back in Jan 2000. I thought it was very thorough and I learned a lot. It incorporated both classroom time and clinical through preceptors. There were mainly 2 teachers and they would alternate. It was fun and I recommend it. They had a contract that you would stay on for 18 months, which I stayed for 5 years and left to work closer to home.
Jenn

I posted previously on this thread, having misread it at first. I said I'd talked with GEORGETOWN recruiters (which is true), but this thread is for George WASHINGTON. Sorry about that.

Anyway, I've been trying to get information out of GWU and they've been really bad about getting back to me -- jennrn11, do you have any suggestions??

rmc2 · Jan 17, 2007

I too have had a very hard time getting information from GWU. I think the Nurse Recruitment Manager is Yomi Lawal something. Phone is 202 715-4405. Have you tried contacting other hospitals? I am assuming you are talking about the fellowships for new nurse graduates, right? And Not the internshisp for nursing students. You should consider also calling Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown.

Sflowerssweeney · Jan 21, 2007

You know, I didn't have any problems with their contacting me right away. In fact, they were very informative. I was told by Yomi Lawal the following info:

I am excited to hear about your interest in the George Washington University Hospital. The nursing internship for the summer starts July 23, 2007, so you have plenty of time. You will need along with your application two letters of recommendation from clinical instructors as well as your official transcripts. I would suggest you apply around mid to late April and start to work on the letters of recommendation now, since that can take a while. Once the application is received we will set up a time for you to come in and interview. I hope this helps.

Yomi Lawal, M.S., CQIOM

Manager, Nurse Recruitment and Retention

The George Washington University Hospital

900 23rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037

1-800-715-0032

202-715-4402 (fax)

[email protected]

http://www.gwhospital.com

I would be interested in hearing from people who actually work there. Nice to know the inside scoop!

RNchemo · Feb 16, 2007

Hi all-

I am glad to hear that jenrn11 had a good experience. I, however, was NOT impressed with George Washington University Hospital's HR this past week. I asked about the nurse to patient ratio on the different medical floors and was told that only the managers knew and that it was different everywhere; perhaps 1:5 or 1:6 -I could ask if I had an interview. My next question was about their use of primary nursing model on the onc unit . Could she tell me about how this nursing care is implemented at GW and how it is unique in their facility? She did not know anything about primary nursing and, once again, said only the managers knew. This frustrated me. On the premotional CD-rom about nuring at GW Hospital (which is also posted on the website) they say that surgical onc unit offers ' a low nurse to patient ratio and utilizes primary care nursing.' I would not call 1:6 a LOW ratio and feel that if a hospital is going to advertise a specific model of care or low ratio, that they ought to know about it and actually have it! Do you think that I just caught the wrong person at the wrong time?

When I spoke with Georgetown, the difference was night and day. Their organization, knowledge, and response were phenomenal. The recruiter was cheerful, efficient, and put me right in touch with the correct people. I am looking foward to interviewing there.

Sflowerssweeney · Feb 18, 2007

I just went there for an interview with ICU for their new grad program. Maybe the problem was you were in HR and they have only "HR knowledge" -- I'm not sure. I went to both HR and the Unit Manager. The Unit Manager was very informative and I met with the training supervisor, a recent new grad who just finished their internship as then I went and met with HR to talk about HR issues. If I were you I would definitely interview in the Oncology department if that's where you want to be and I think you will definitely get what you need. I'm sure that Georgetown is a wonderful hospital as well. Although after talking with a few nurses that worked there I didn't hear such good things from them. I guess it depends on who you talk to.