Washington Hospital Center's Med/Surg Units - are they good?

siren1 · May 12, 2009

Good training, large hospital so you get great experience. Challenging environment with some nurses who are burned out! It would be a good option and you can get your experience and get something better.

weebs21 · Aug 21, 2009

Hi, I am being offered a position in 2 NE. Just curious if you took the job on 2D, if you like it and if you have heard anything about 2NE? I wasnt able to shadow anyone but I got the impression nurses may be pretty burned out on the unit and there is a high patient load and acuity. anything you can share would be appreciate! Thanks

maman2zoe · Aug 22, 2009

I attends Dreamday yesterday and shadowed nurses on 2C and 2 NE, I liked 2C better although the nurse I was shadowing on 2 NE was really nice and welcoming. I got a really good impression from this hospital and I think it would be great experience, I'm sure there are going to be challenges everywhere we get to work but you just have to roll with the punches and learn from it.

How did yall's interviews go? and how long after the interview were offered the job? will you be doing their Oct. residency program?

thx for ur input

1john4:10 · Aug 22, 2009

Hello,

No I actually didn't take it. I received an offer from GWUH, and decided not to take WHC because I think I'm allergic to something on that floor...It was really weird, the two times I spent a few hours on 2D, I had this coughing fit, lol. So that actually made it easy to decide between the two hospitals. I don't know anything about 2NE, but usually I only hear good things about WHC from other people. Sorry I can't help!

weebs21 · Aug 22, 2009

Hey Maman, I went in for an interview and the nurse manager told me after the interview she would offer me a position. However, they havent formalized anything yet so I dont REALLY have a job offer :) Also, hiring is contigent on passing NCLEX which I will take (and hopefully pass) this Sept. It is for the Oct 5 start date as well. What did you like about 2C more? What was 2NE like? To be honest, we spent very little time touring the unit, but from what I could gather it may be a little rough - staff, patient load. Did it seem interesting at least on NE? I know they also may have openings in general med (which seems to be what 2NE is also) gen med/psych, and some cardiac stepdowns. I was actually pretty interested in the cardiac floors but got the interview with 2NE so I guess I will just stick with that. I just want a job, you know? I dont want to come off picky to the recruiters. I think the best thing about WHC is that its a teaching hospital and they offer $10K yr for education.

maman2zoe · Aug 22, 2009

@weebs21,

2NE is a pulmonary step down floor and it did seem a little rough for me but maybe it wasn't a good day, the patients were olderand more critical from what i gather i don't know..it's about your perception, On 2C which is a medsurg/psych, the mood was just a little more upbeat, the nurse I shadowed was really funny and told me the "real deal" about the unit and it just seems like yes it's a lot of work but it's good experience and good exposure and at the end of the day isn't that what we want?..the pay is nothing to sneeze at either!

I was interested in the cardiac floors too but didn't get the opportunity to visit them:scrying:. Well at least u had a verbal offer:wink2: I say just concentrate on passing your boards for now and after that you can see i'm like you, I just need a J-o-b! Good Luck on your exam..PS...it's not that bad!

btw how was the interview? and i'm witcha on that 10k tuition reimbursement!

weebs21 · Aug 22, 2009

The interview was not as bad I thought. I was really prepared. First the HR recruiter asked me the more traditonal questions like, tell me about yourself? where do you see yourself in 5 yr. etc then she took me to the nurse manager who was really nice. She basically just told me about the unit, and seemed very forthrgight about everything. she asked me quest about leadership and teamwork, which for me are very easy to answer. I was surprised she didnt ask me any clinical questions. If you have any other questions fire away. The nurse manager did say on NE they have the highest acuity of all the medical units so I guess what you saw was right. Just nervous bc the patient load is so high - 5 in day and 7 at night. I always thought traditionally you had less patients in a stepdown bc it is intermediate?? But it seemed more like a general med floor with high acuity than anything - bc she said they try and send us pulm patients when they can so basically i think they get anything there.

ufblondi · Aug 22, 2009

Weebs...when did you interview? I am in the exact same boat. Nurse manager told me she wanted me and that she would get HR on the ball, but no official phone call yet. I have another offer that starts this monday, which I had told them about, so I had been hoping to get the offer before then (I just interviewed on Thursday though and not really sure what the whole HR process thing is). Are you from the area? I just moved here and am curious about their relocation reimbursement! I interviewed for the renal transplant floor. Hopefully I will see you Oct 5th!

weebs21 · Aug 23, 2009

I interviewed last Tues but I havent gotten an official call either. Just waiting and hoping!! I believe they do provide a relocation reimbursement but not sure how much. Hope to see you as well in Oct!

ufblondi · Aug 24, 2009

Let me know when you hear something and I'll do the same! Maybe it takes them a week for turnaround? It is starting to make me second guess it............

maman2zoe · Aug 25, 2009

Hey!

You guys heard anything yet? I got a call for an interview on Thursday so i'm prepping for it and getting really nervous. I hope you don't have to wait too long to find out if you actually got the position. I'll keep u updated:wink2: