What do you think about your hospital?

rn/writer, RN · Dec 27, 2006

Just a reminder message:

When you post to a thread like this one, remember we have close to 200,000 members along with many lurkers. Consider the information conveyed in your message AND in your profile. If you have negative things to say, will they get back to your coworkers and your employer? Could you be called on the carpet and disciplined for your comments? This might sound far-fetched but it HAS happened.

We have had a number of posters PM us with requests to delete their messages and/or change their usernames because of a backlash regarding something they put up on the board.

That isn't to say you can't be honest. Only that it's better to be discreet and protective of your personal information.

Another concern is patient confidentiality. Some of our members/lurkers are not nurses or students but patients and family members. Co-workers, too, can have concerns when they see information that identifies a hospital and enough patient-specific data that HIPAA issues become a concern.

We have had posts that gave exact diagnoses, meds and dosages, specific treatments, complications, and more. You shouldn't need that much information to make your point and it really gets us scurrying to PM the poster so the problematic details can be edited out.

Again, there are ways of asking questions or making comments without revealing too much information (TMI).

No one wants to be a killjoy--this could be an interesting thread--but you do need to keep self- and patient-protection in mind. This is good practice everywhere on the board.

Happy--and safe--posting!

allnurses Guide · Dec 27, 2006

Just a reminder message:
When you post to a thread like this one, remember we have close to 200,000 members along with many lurkers. Consider the information conveyed in your message AND in your profile. If you have negative things to say, will they get back to your coworkers and your employer? Could you be called on the carpet and disciplined for your comments? This might sound far-fetched but it HAS happened.
We have had a number of posters PM us with requests to delete their messages and/or change their usernames because of a backlash regarding something they put up on the board.
That isn't to say you can't be honest. Only that it's better to be discreet and protective of your personal information.
Another concern is patient confidentiality. Some of our members/lurkers are not nurses or students but patients and family members. Co-workers, too, can have concerns when they see information that identifies a hospital and enough patient-specific data that HIPAA issues become a concern.
We have had posts that gave exact diagnoses, meds and dosages, specific treatments, complications, and more. You shouldn't need that much information to make your point and it really gets us scurrying to PM the poster so the problematic details can be edited out.
Again, there are ways of asking questions or making comments without revealing too much information (TMI).
No one wants to be a killjoy--this could be an interesting thread--but you do need to keep self- and patient-protection in mind. This is good practice everywhere on the board.
Happy--and safe--posting!

Well rn/writer, it looks like not too many ppl are responding to this thread, so perhaps you don't have to worry. :) However, let me be the first. And, I will be as discreet as I can. I rarely ever talk about my current employer; mostly refer to my former employer. And as far as I know, my former coworkers have no way of knowing who I am, if they even post here.

So... I used to work in a medium sized community hospital in KY. What I liked about my hospital... well, since it was fairly small, everyone knew most everyone else. Staffing there was pretty good, and pretty fair. Same with nurse to patient ratios; pretty good compared to other places. Benefits.. not too bad. I had a pretty good insurance policy and paid a reasonable share of the premiums. Pretty good 401K and retirement packages.

What I didn't like... hooo boy. The place got way too "click-ish" for me, and backstabbing was rampant. Everyone liked to gossip about everyone else. RN's competed against each other to see who could be the biggest super RN, and everyone, especially the day shift nurses, competed to see who could be the most liked by the doctors. Day shift nurses got lots of recognition and night nurses got looked over. There was a huge air about the place, that the doctors were practically to be worshipped and you DIDN'T cross them or argue with them or be rude right back to them. Basically, standing up for yourself to them wasn't particularly encouraged. Actually, no I should also that their being rude, wasn't exactly DISCOURAGED enough. It was totally allowed and expected.

I love where I work now. Even though the benefits aren't quite as good, other than the retirement... the atmosphere is SO much different. Doctors and other members of the "team" work together, AND they all work for the same people; doctors are not independent contractors. Lots more diversity among the employees (RN's, LPN's, and techs); the last place I worked was about 95% white women; this place has equal parts men and women, and many employees of different ethnicities.

outcomesfirst, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

Best place I worked fresh out of school was a zoo of a public teaching hospital - world class, think about it and you will know it. Learned so much! Hard, hard, hard work! Dark, dirty at times, lots of patients - never had a 'low' census, lacking supplies, running everywhere, lots of changes all the time, tons of students of all types from all over the world (think lots of staff :) ). Learned continuously - my most vivid memories are there. Huge acadamians, learned about myself, health care, organizations, cultures, populations - Spent about 2 1/2 years there - Set me up for life....Go for it and do not look back.

rn/writer, RN · Dec 27, 2006

I really like the hospital where I currently work. No place is perfect, but I have a good schedule, really wonderful co-workers, a manager that is a "real person," and many more things to be thankful for.

My first job after graduation was a LTCF than hired new nurses, burned them out, then hired a new crop. They did this every semester. I had far too much responsibility with some really sick patients. Almost no one had experience to fall back on and we were all pretty much terrified that we'd lose our licenses before we could find decent jobs. I lasted six months and was deliriously happy when I walked out after my last shift.

blacksea pebble · Dec 27, 2006

Just a reminder message:
When you post to a thread like this one, remember we have close to 200,000 members along with many lurkers. Consider the information conveyed in your message AND in your profile. If you have negative things to say, will they get back to your coworkers and your employer? Could you be called on the carpet and disciplined for your comments? This might sound far-fetched but it HAS happened.
We have had a number of posters PM us with requests to delete their messages and/or change their usernames because of a backlash regarding something they put up on the board.
That isn't to say you can't be honest. Only that it's better to be discreet and protective of your personal information.
Another concern is patient confidentiality. Some of our members/lurkers are not nurses or students but patients and family members. Co-workers, too, can have concerns when they see information that identifies a hospital and enough patient-specific data that HIPAA issues become a concern.
We have had posts that gave exact diagnoses, meds and dosages, specific treatments, complications, and more. You shouldn't need that much information to make your point and it really gets us scurrying to PM the poster so the problematic details can be edited out.
Again, there are ways of asking questions or making comments without revealing too much information (TMI).
No one wants to be a killjoy--this could be an interesting thread--but you do need to keep self- and patient-protection in mind. This is good practice everywhere on the board.
Happy--and safe--posting!

I knew about all these aspects when I started this thread. The question is very direct but I do not expect the answers to be as direct.

I think there is nothing wrong with naming the hospital if you have good things to say about it. On the other hand, if you are dissatisfied you can be as discreet as you wish.

Thank you for your comment.

blacksea pebble · Dec 27, 2006

Best place I worked fresh out of school was a zoo of a public teaching hospital - world class, think about it and you will know it. Learned so much! Hard, hard, hard work! Dark, dirty at times, lots of patients - never had a 'low' census, lacking supplies, running everywhere, lots of changes all the time, tons of students of all types from all over the world (think lots of staff :) ). Learned continuously - my most vivid memories are there. Huge acadamians, learned about myself, health care, organizations, cultures, populations - Spent about 2 1/2 years there - Set me up for life....Go for it and do not look back.

So you think it is better to start at the public teaching hospital? I found it very zooish when I had clinicals there, but, at the same time, it was very exciting! When I worked at the private hospital during my externship I found it to be very organized. I can not say I did not like it but I did not learn as much there.

Thank you!

all4schwa · Dec 27, 2006

i love the hospital i work at because i come here and hear how others live!! i wish some of my co-workers could come here and read up on what's going on in other workplaces around the world!

outcomesfirst, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2006

So you think it is better to start at the public teaching hospital? I found it very zooish when I had clinicals there, but, at the same time, it was very exciting! When I worked at the private hospital during my externship I found it to be very organized. I can not say I did not like it but I did not learn as much there.
Thank you!

Feeling like obywan.....make that Gandulf :gandalf: Yes! Go to the biggest teaching hospital and soak it up on Med Surg for a year or two. You will never regret it! My resume is embarassingly long, but I am always asked about that experience.