1. I am currently not in any hospital training program. In doing this weeks assignment, I went from Cloud 9 to panic mode. I’ve had my goal hospital picked out since before I started the program, only to find out in my research that it may not be the best fit for me. I reached out to Methodist Woodlands, simply because of its proximity and reputation. I am applying for a residency because literally the only experience I have in a hospital setting is clinicals and I need as much time as I can to prepare for the real world.
When choosing the hospitals to research, the very first thing I looked at was proximity. I have children in school and I don’t need a 2 hour commute everyday. Second thing was the reputation. I’m willing to drive a little bit further for a hospital with a better reputation. Upon my research, as mentioned above, I had hit a snag. I want to focus in ICUs and ERs so I can get on track to be a flight nurse. I think ahead and knowing what I do about flight nursing, I need to be at a high level trauma center. Methodist Woodlands is only a Level 4, while just down the road Memorial Hermann is a level 2. Yes, there is a HCA that’s a level 2 in Conroe (where I’m currently doing my clinicals), but I do not like the HCA reputation at all, as a student or as a patient. That said, I will be applying to more than just the Methodist Woodlands.
Reflecting on my research today and the subsequent panicking, and talking to my sister-in-law who just went through this process 3 years ago (in a pre-COVID era), I feel more at peace. I thought I had everything figured out for the future. I need a residency over an internship. I need that extra time. I don’t know why my Type-A personality didn’t think of the fact of the matter of applying to more than one hospital system. Yes, I’m going to be picky about it, but in my research I found two other systems that are now on my radar.
Survey-Critique of Nurse Training Programs.docx
2.HCA Clear Lake Critical Care. Specifically ED
wood training.docx 
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1. What type of hospital training program are you currently involved in? If not currently working, what type of program are you considering applying for?
Not currently involved in any training programs. The STAR program is interesting if it can be shortened. It’s an option, although not an ideal one.
2. What factors did you consider most important when choosing a hospital training and placement program and expand upon why?
The STAR program varies. 10-24 weeks. with the first 5-11 weeks on a 40-hour workweek. The possible short 40 hour week is appealing. I don’t have intentions of switching careers completely at this point. A 40 hour; 5-week training program might be done while working full-time. It is a decision I will have to make when the time comes.
3. Reflect on your knowledge gained and lessons learned when evaluating the factors to consider when selecting a hospital training program such as a residency, fellowship, internship, externship, and work-study.
Really the only thing I am interested in is getting a quality experience. The facility I chose has a busy ED that is also a trauma facility. Compensation, benefits, PTO, 401k are not really important to me. I am willing to trade mediocre compensation for an experience that could better benefit me in the long run. If I must do a residency to secure a position then I will try my best to make it work. I am in a middle spot in my current career, I am not going to take a position that could negatively affect it. My current intentions are to work PRN. If it takes a year to secure a job that fits me, I am ok with that. What I won’t do is sign a 2-year contract for pennies on the dollar like I have heard many new RNs end up doing.
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