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Discussion

What do you think of where you work?

Hi all!

I'm a 4th year nursing student, and am trying to decide where I want to go to do my preceptorship this spring. I'm from Ontario, and although I am going to school out of province, I want to return! :)

So I was wondering where people work, and what they think of it there? I think that I have narrowed down my list of possible hosptials for my preceptorship... but you never know. ;) Right now, I am trying to decide between Hamilton Health Sciences, Sunnybrook, and The Ottawa Hospitals. As well, I am still half considering Hospital for Sick Children or CHEO (I've been leaning towards peds, but don't know if I should do some med-surg before specializing).

Anyways, if anyone has any input on these hosptials, or have any fantastic places to work that I haven't considered, I would really appreciate the info. At the job fairs they always try to make every hospital seem like the perfect place to work...

Thanks!!! :D

Featured Replies

  • Author

So nobody likes or has anything to say about where they work....?

  • Experts

Little.Bird, I work in Alberta, so I can't comment too much on the hospitals you mentioned. But I can tell you that I've worked peds since I graduated (if you ignore the agency nurse detour I was forced to take just to have a job in 1994!) and have never seriously thought about working with any other group. I honestly don't think that working med-surg then switching to peds is really necessary. You could work peds med-surg and get a good grounding in organization, assessment, time management and all those other things that nursing school doesn't prepare you for, while also giving you a solid grasp of the pediatric perspective. Many of the things you'd see in an adult med-surg environment don't happen to kids; while there is overlap, if peds is where your heart is, why go anywhere else? CHEO has a good rep, HSC is being rapidly overtaken by Stollery (woohoo!!) but has a world-class facility, and CHWO is another good children's hospital. (At least it was in 1989 when my son was a patient there!) Follow your heart, my dear. The kids will thank you.

I was going to reply last night and cancelled, but since you're reeeally interested.....

I went to UNB in Fredericton and came back home to PEI for my preceptorship. I found having to adjust to the operation of a new hospital very difficult while trying to do well in preceptorship. My two cents are: do your preceptorship at the facility where you have the greatest comfort level. Graduate first, then choose your locale and specialty, if any. Recruiters at fairs will generally all try to put their best foot forward. If I were doing the job I suppose I would too. Best to do your research on any community you may find interesting. Remember the advice I have heard re shiny happy looking recruitment ads: You don't work at the beach and you don't live at the hospital!

And yes, do what you want to do, not what you think everyone else wants you to do. I went from graduating this spring to psychiatry, which I hope I will remain in for some time. I feel like I have lost much in skills and knowledge not being in med/surg, but I have gained as well, in the area I enjoy.

I hope that helps, and I wish you well in the coming year!

  • Author

Well, I'm from Ontario and my family and friends are there, which is why I want to head back. I know that getting used to a new hosptial will take some time. I am hoping that I can get a job where I end up doing my preceptorship.

I'm from Ontario but do not work in those hospitals listed.

I would suggest that you research and attend recruitment events. They usually have them in Nov. and early spring for nurses.

Sick Kids is a great, world wide teaching facility. I have attended APLS and PALS course through them. They are very team orientated from what I saw just at the workshops.

Ottawa General have great staff and facility. They offer a lot in the forms of continuing education for staff. They want you to be not only qualified but competent in what you are doing. I met a group of them at the NENA conference in May 2006. They were awesome.

Sunnybrook - I don't know anything about it.

Hamilton - I work with a surgeon who is from there and he said they are very education and staff focused not only for physicians, but for other health disciplines as well.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Sarah

After the week, my unit has had, I'm trying not to think about it!!

Sounds like you're looking into the bigger hospitals in Ontario, my advice is get started soon. I can't say anything for which ones you're looking at, since I've never been to any of them. I'm a 4th year student in Ontario, and I've been told that those spots go quickly b/c of all the nursing schools along the 401 corridor area. Good luck with your placement, wherever that will be.

Hey .... well I must say I started my career as a new grad at sick kids and I am still there to this day a whole 3.5 yrs later (lol). Anyways it a great place to get started. They have a excellent orientation. Everyone there is VERY HELPFUL. There is a lot a room to grow there. And of course it is a teaching hospital. The peds population is amazing to work with. I really do enjoy it!!!

Hope that helps a bit.

HeatherDL

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