where to work

I'm not from your area of the country, but I have been a nurse for 37 years and have a few suggesions for you. In fact I have given some of these same suggestions to students who rotate through my hospital.

First, make sure you compare "apples to apples". Interview several places and make a list of pro's and con's, salaries, benefits, driving distances, orientation schedules, opportunities for advancement, level of supervision you'd get as a new grad and just how well you felt you would fit into their organization.

Next, ask around and get feedback from friends, family, peers, faculty, other medical professionals.

Next, visit the potential workplace and just look around, walk the halls. How does it "feel"? Do you feel comfortable there? Is it someplace you'd like to work for a long time? Do patients and staff look happy and satisfied or are staff overworked and uncaring? Are the halls clean? What does the cafeteria look like? Is staff safety a concern?

With a lot of careful thought, you will be making a decision that could impact your career. Choose wisely and carefully because there are many good places (and bad places) to work. Every workplace has plusses and minuses, and you have to work where you feel comfortable and at a place that values patient and staff satisfaction.

I hope I helped answer a few of your questions, maybe not specifically about which hospital to work in but how to choose the right fit for you. Good luck as you persue a career in Nursing!