Harborview or Swedish?

[Icess64]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so hopefully I'm posting it in the right spot!

So it's come time to think about where I'm going to work (graduating in June-yay!). I am debating between Harborview Medical Center and Swedish, both in Seattle. I like the idea of Harborview more because they offer a well-established residency program for new grads whereas Swedish claims on it's web site that they don't have a formal residency program but they are sometimes available. I like the thought of having extra training for a specific hospital before I'm dropped into the crazy world of nursing!

So I was pretty set on Harborview as my first choice until someone told me that her friend works there and how she doesn't feel safe there. She was talking about how they've had to hire a ton of extra security because of several attacks on staff (sometimes even having to be escorted by security from one area in the hospital to another). I looked online for information and I found only one article talking about it, which talked more about the security guards feeling unprepared rather than the rest of the staff feeling unsafe. I'm not sure if the woman who told me this is exaggerating, or if I should really think twice before going there.

I know working there would be great experience, but as a new grad, I'll have enough stress to deal with without worrying about my safety all the time. I could use some input from people who work there, know people who work there, etc.

Also, any input from anyone at Swedish would be great too. Their website doesn't offter much info on opportunities for new grads. Any experiences with them would be great to hear about too. My head is spinning from trying to figure all this out! Help!

[skeeterRN]

Hey all

I work at Harborview in one of the ICUs. I love it here. I've worked here almost 7 years. I have worked at several of the area hospitals as a travel RN...and I have to say, Harborview is the best.

The experience you gain here is second to none. I started here as a new nurse and haven't looked back. It's been a wonderful experience hands down. I have learned more than I ever thought possible. I have become the RN I always dreampt I'd be. Everyday I do new and excited things, some I'd only read about before I came here. We take care of the sickest of the sick, the worst traumas, burns, and everything in between- in a 4 state region. We are a strong group of dedicated people (it is true that we are the lowest paid RNs in the entire city). I bet if you ask 100 nurses here, more than 80% would say they dont work here for the money anyway. We love what we do. We are good at what we do. We are proud to be here and want to teach anyone willing to join us.

Having said that, HMC does have some "characters of questionable intent" outside...but I assure you that I have never been in an unsafe or threatening position. I have never been uncomfortable in my role here. I feel like our security is on top of their game. They know who enters this hospital and they never have to be asked twice to come to our aid, no matter what the situation involves. I have called them for and number of reasons, such creepy people hanging around the waiting rooms, smoke in the stairwell, and just because I felt uneasy. Never once have they said no or made me wait more than the time it takes them to get to my unit. I have actually had a few circumstances where I have had a security officer staged outside my patient room, and I've never felt safer. As its been previously stated, HMC is within a few blocks of several other hospitals. The "clients" we see are seen at most, if not all, the other hospitals around here too. So safety is really not a problem, so long as you are smart about when and where you go at night.

I'd say if you are excited about nursing and want to take care of a variety of really sick and injured people....this is the place for you. Its hard not to be challenged here and its even harder to not go home rewarded for what you love to do. :redbeathe:nurse::redbeathe

Cheers

[reidob]

I have worked at Harborview for 20 years and love it here. The best thing about Harborview is that everyone who works here; doctors, nurses, techs, even housekeeping, work here because they want to. There are easier places to work, and malcontents tend to go to those easier places. This is one of the most supportive, rewarding environments I think you could hope for. Does it have problems? Well, yeah, what place doesn't? I'll tell you this, though: the bureaucracy is more obnoxious than the people who hang around outside. Yes, there have been a few difficult situations from time to time, but our patient population is the neediest, so that is inevitable. This is the place of last resort for those who have been marginalized elsewhere, and nothing feels quite so wonderful as giving care to those who have been distrustful or difficult to reach prior to their experience here. I have never felt unsafe here; of course, you have to use your head, but that's true anywhere.

[reidob]

By the way, skeeter, we are not the lowest-paid nurses in Seattle. Our salaries are regularly reviewed, and the state is well aware that if they undercut us too much, we will go work elsewhere.

[skeeterRN]

you are absolutely right. I didnt mean that in the literal sense. We are paid competetively. However, in the surrounding area, we at HMC, are not the highest paid. Thank you for the clarification.

[g3rly]

I've heard great things about BOTH hospitals so either one would be a great place to work at.