What are some of the nicer hospitals in twin cities?

[ivn75]

Hello, everyone!

I am graduating from my ADN program this May and plan to move to Twin Cities afterwards. I have heard about the hardships of finding a job for new grads there, but I just absolutely love the area! I do have some experience working in acute care as an LPN, and hope it might help to find a job. My question is: which hospitals have good reputation among nurses and which don't? Are there any places I should absolutely avoid?

Thank you!

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Yes they are. I looked into it a while back and was surprised at the pay.... it was lower than I thought it should be. Has it improved?

I know that St Peter RTC hired new grads at 31/hr in Dec.

[DaveMNRN]

Does anyone have info as to what it's like to work as a psych RN at Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center in Anoka, MN? Thxs!

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I think it was the VA nursing home that was on the news and not the Medical Center. The nursing home was having staffing issues due to the mandatory overtime and poor working conditions.

I have heard wonderful things about the VA hospital. It is a very nice hospital. I had a few trainings there for work. I also had friends that have done some clinicals there and all of them stated that they would work there.

The Veterans Home is state operated. VAMC is federal.

(I wouldn't work at the Veterans Home until they get their act together.)

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Yes they are. I looked into it a while back and was surprised at the pay.... it was lower than I thought it should be. Has it improved?

I believe that they are starting nurse right around parity with other MNA facilities. (26-30/hr)

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

FWIW I love working at the VA.

[amiconfused]

Definitely go somewhere with a union- meaning no non contract jobs. I worked for Allina- specifically United for many years, when I left the contract for a non contract job through Allina I had some major problems. HR had no interest what was going on and unjust actions. My coworkers knew of the problem but I had no backing being non contract. We all can learn from lessons learned (the hard way). United itself (RN contract) was fine though. Great learning environment!

[alexandrabadjie]

Hi, I am also wondering where to work in the twin cities. I'm planning on moving there in May when I graduate with my BSN. I am looking for a hospital/program that will help pay off my huge loan debt or at least one with good benefits. Any advice???

[alexandrabadjie]

Hey, this thread has been really helpful. I am also planning on moving to the Minneapolis area and am looking for work. It seems like there are a few big companies: like Allina, Health East Care, and Fairview. They have many hospitals among them, so do all of the hospitals have the same benefits and packages? I'll be a new nurse (graduating in May) and am looking for a hospital with a really good training program for RN's. Also, does anyone know about wages and if they are similar at most hospitals in the area?? I don't see anything posted on the websites. Any info would be great!

[freezebabyRN]

alexandrabadjie....... HealthEast has a GREAT new grad residency program. I think the two hospitals within the system that do this would be St John's or St Joseph's. St Joe's is in downtown St Paul and St John's is north of there in Maplewood. You would want to check it out early enough because they take applications every so often. I was never in that program, so I can not tell you exact details other than contact HR. I heard it is great though. I really wish there was something like that when I was a new grad RN. The pay would be more than federal or state jobs too even though those are in the MNA union too.

www.healtheast.org Go under careers and type in RN under job category then pick either St joe's or St john's under location(I noticed there was a posting under St Joe's if you just want to get the info) then on the top of the page enter "new grad" under key words. I'd call though to see how often they do run this program since your not graduting until May.

Good luck!!!!

[alexandrabadjie]

Thanks so much for that info. I will try to call there today. I tried Allina and Fairview and couldn't get through to an actual person. But I had heard something about that program for new grads, good to hear that it is well known for helping new grads. Do you know anything about wages and if there is much difference among hospitals in the area?

[freezebabyRN]

pay for a new BSN for next year (6/1/09) looks like it will be $29.09 on days you get $2.75 I believe more for evenings and $4 more on nights. There is also an extra $1.10 an hour for weekend hours. I know they also have a baylor program where if you work every weekend I think they pay you 25% more in wages, not sure though. Charge is $2+ more an hour. I'm sure if they have a loan repayment too through the MNA, but I'm not sure about that either. That is something you would have to ask about.

Good Luck! I found it very easy to work with them and actually reach people PLUS get phone calls back from their HR.

[Salgal08]

I will second that for HealthEast- my experience has been that they are very welcoming, friendly, and professional to nurses seeking employment. They have an RN placement coordinator who is so helpful (her number is available on their website).