Would you recommend your NICU/hospital?

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Here is the deal, I am a NICU RN, DH graduates nursing school in December and is interested in Psych, but is open.

I LOVE where I work, the hospital, managers, doctors, coworkers, everything (though I would like higher pay, but who wouldn't? ) Problem is the last two years housing prices have shot through the roof and DH and I do not want to pay $300-400 thousand for a home when we are making around $20 and hour.

So we have been looking around and researching different areas. We have been to Boise ID (sort of ruled it out) and have done some minor research into Oregon and Missouri. I currently live in So. Utah.

I am really sad about the thought of leaving my Unit, but at this point, unless soemthing drastically changes, it isn't feasible to us to stay here.

What we ideally are looking for is an area that is not too cold (I have never lived in snow, and the thought is a little daunting, but may consider it). My husband HAS to have horse property, with places to ride without having to load up into a horse trailer every time. I would like the area to offer something to do other dinner and a movie. We would like to spend less than $300K on a home, unless pay is considerably more to cover the difference.

But most importantly, I have to like the job, and the people. I have lived here my entire life and am afraid to leave my bubble. Though I am not completely satisfied with it, it is all I know.

Oh, and living in So. Utah, it is predominately LDS (Around 70%) and we would like a change in that scene.

Thanks for listening to my rambling, any advice or info you can offer will be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Would you consider the Carolinas? I lived in Charlotte in the 1990's, and worked both there and in upstate SC. Nice climate, low cost of living, nice homes in the high $100's to 200K range.

Enjoy your adventure. We've moved 5 times, and I always find it fun and exciting!

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Never thought about that area, thanks, I will do some research!

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I live in Virginia, the hampton roads area to be specific. It's pretty nice here. It's a military town though. The weather is nice. We do get hurricanes but they don't hit hard(the carolinas block us!) If we get snow, it usually melt pretty quickly. I know alot of people who ride horses, usually in the Chesapeake and Suffolk area and they got alot of undeveloped land. The hospitals are mainly Sentara,meaning that each city has one for example Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (in norfolk) and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital (in VA Beach). You can visit them at www.sentara.com. I love this area, it's basically is where the south meets the north and you can meet all different kinds of people since we have the largest military base. VA Beach is also considered a little vacation spot. This part of virginia is very historic b/c of the Jamestown Settlement and Pocahontas(sp?) I still wonder why are state logo is "Virginia is for lovers"

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Specializes in Level II & III NICU, Mother-Baby Unit.

I would recommend Mission Hospital in Ashville, NC. They have a 51 bed NICU which admits 600 babies each year; 100 of those are transports in from one of 17 surrounding counties. They do not do corrective heart surgeries but do pretty much everything else. One nurse I worked with said she worked there with a neonatologist who helped invent the oscillator (HFOV). I've known 2 nurses who worked there and they both absolutely adored the place, the good physician-nurse relationships and the well run NICU, how well coordinated the hospital is in general, the oodles of offerings at the hospital, and many other things. The NICU was renovated in 2002. The hospital is in the process of applying for MAGNET status. I wish I could share personal experience but the closest I've got is their word of mouth...along with the experience of working with these two excellent nurses.

It snows occasionally in Asheville, and it is the south with the humidity and all that goes along with it. There is lots of land for horses. The mountains are absolutely beautiful and great for hiking and camping. The area is growning and I understand some that some parts are getting very expensive to live in lately. Wish I knew more to tell you.

Wishing you all the luck as you make your decision! I love moving around for the most part. As someone mentioned in an earlier post, it can be very exciting.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I live in Virginia, the hampton roads area to be specific. "

The big NICU in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia is at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. I am very familiar with that NICU and can answer questions about it. I can also recommend it.

llg

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The big NICU in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia is at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. I am very familiar with that NICU and can answer questions about it. I can also recommend it.

llg

What is the doctor/nurse relationship like there. I am used to neo's that treat the nurses with respect and don't degrade you for "dumb" questions. Also our manager is great and supports our "down" time. She understands it is a high stress area, and we should take advantage of any free time (i.e. knitting, reading ect.) All the staff are team players and willing to help eachother out.

This is ideally what I would like to find.

TIA!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I've worked in many different NICU's in different parts of the country and I think the relationship between the Docs and the RN's is slightly above average. It's not utopia, but I have seen a lot worse.

It's a well-staffed, well-run NICU that has 56 beds and a lot of nice people. I doubt they would want you to do much knitting on work time -- especially during the day shift .... but I know that sort of thing happens on nights.

The Hampton Roads area is very nice ... has a reasonable cost of living ... and offers a lot of the features you said that you and your husband are looking for. Check out the hospital's website at chkd.org and if you are really interested, PM me and I would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

llg

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I would definitely recommend our NICU if you're considering the Atlanta area. It's a 21 bed, level III nursery and surgeries/ECMO are transported out to the childrens' hospitals. Our docs are WONDERFUL and the majority of nurses are very easy to work with. Sure we have our ideosyncracies like any other unit, but I enjoy working there. The pace suits my aging too!!The major drawback to Atlanta is the traffic.:eek:

I've also worked in the NICU at MCV in Richmond, VA. Great place if you like teaching hospitals and the hectic environment that goes with it. There's UVA in Charlottesville also. Another teaching hospital with nicer "stuff" as I recall. You mentioned horses, and the Charlottesville to Richmond corridor would be an ideal consideration.

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Specializes in neonatal ICU, adult med/surg.

I work at Mission Hospitals in Asheville NC and highly recommend it. I have never worked in an area where everyone works as a team and truely likes each othe and gets along. We call the docs by their first names and they treat us with respect and ask our oppinion. Our director is the best I've ever known. We are a 51 bed level 3 NICU that accepts transports over the entire western NC region. We do not do ECHMO or major corrective heart surgeries. We do PDA ligations. The hospital is acquiring magnet status and is a pleasure to work for. The hospital system is truely patient oriented.

The Asheville area is beautiful with lots to do. Housing is a bit high 150-300k depending on where you look and what you want. Lots of places for your husband to ride his horses!!! Please consider coming for a visit and see our unit. Feel free to contact me if you want.

Amy Wallingford

Asheville, NC

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

I work at Children's hospital in Columbus Ohio and I love it. The staff is wonderful, both nursing and drs. It's a lvl III with 47 beds (trying to figure out how we can get to 50 :D) We do ECMO and surgeries. We also have a 40+ bed stepdown unit.

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I work in KC, MO and I LOVE my hospital. It's a children's hospital with a level IIIC NICU. There are also several psych hospitals here. We have seasons but the winters don't get too bad. We have a couple snows a winter but nothing too drastic- a couple inches here and there.

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