u/Heidi_Pfeffermint

Initially posted in Pittsburgh sub and got really good responses -wanted to see if I could get any more info, experiences. Thank you in advance!

Hello, I am looking to relocate to Pittsburgh after I graduate in Dec with an ADN.
I am hoping for some local knowledge of hospitals in the area and possibly their surrounding neighborhoods \[as potential housing options\].
Whether it be you work(ed) there and know the culture to the more general ‘vibes’ or reputation of those hospitals- I gladly welcome any additional information!

Predominately I have been looking at UPMC postings -there are SO many hospitals- how can I tell them all apart? 😅 & how suspicious do I need to be about those sign-on bonuses? 😂
AGH is another to look at -& possibly VA?
Are there any other places I should consider?

Additionally:
Is Pittsburgh a decent place to start a nursing career? Or is the market saturated? Do employers prefer matriculation from a school \*in\* (or right outside) PGH? Or it doesn’t much matter? just pass NCLEX

If it helps any responses, I don’t have a set area I’d like to be in. I’m open to different departments -I just wanna be able to learn ALL the things! I am a’OK with night shift (low key, prefer it); I am not ok with an eat-their-young mentality. Also, I kind of love the idea of public transit being a work commute option.

If anyone can point me in a direction, I’d appreciate it!

EDIT: if anyone has been through UPMC’s rotational program (or a diff hospital), please share your experience(s)

Hello, I am looking to relocate to Pittsburgh after I graduate in Dec with an ADN.
I am hoping for some local knowledge of hospitals in the area and possibly their surrounding neighborhoods [as potential housing options].
Whether it be you work(ed) there and know the culture to the more general ‘vibes’ or reputation of those hospitals- I gladly welcome any additional information!

Predominately I have been looking at UPMC postings -there are SO many hospitals- how can I tell them all apart? 😅 & how suspicious do I need to be about those sign-on bonuses? 😂
AGH is another to look at -& possibly VA?
Are there any other places I should consider?

Additionally:
Is Pittsburgh a decent place to start a nursing career? Or is the market saturated? Do employers prefer matriculation from a school *in* (or right outside) Pitts? Or it doesn’t much matter? just pass NCLEX

If it helps any responses, I don’t have a set area I’d like to be in. I’m open to different departments -I just wanna be able to learn ALL the things! I am a’OK with night shift (low key, prefer it); I am not ok with an eat-their-young mentality. Also, I kind of love the idea of public transit being a work commute option.

If anyone can point me in a direction, I’d appreciate it!

Hello! I’m set to graduate this Dec from an ADN program and I am struggling to apply to jobs. I am sure I’m just in my head too much but it feels like I need to know where I want to end up, so I can know where to start.. and I am not yet sure where I want to be, so it just feels like I’m going to spray my resume+coverletter into a million different places -because I am SO new to healthcare and don’t really know what these listings mean/ what each area entails

Did anyone else encounter this? What helped you overcome the unknown anxiety? Action before motivation?

Can anyone give examples of pathways to take to certain areas? Say if the goal is ED or case management, do you need X# yrs med/surg bedside? Or acute care? [what does that even mean btw? Is that a step down unit, or does that mean emergency dept? Can I do that as a new grad?]. How do I even know if I’d like ICU?
If you want Peds, OB/Women’s Health, OR, -do you need to go a start somewhere else first?
And why does Psych feel like it is such an outlier? like you gotta take that left turn immediately -& how easily can you return to the medical side of things (assuming the practical skills have atrophied)

Many areas interest me -but I also know my weaknesses too much that I half talk myself out possibilities..

How did you decide where you wanted to apply??
I’ll take any recommendations of where I should look or things to consider!! 🙏

I am strruuuuugggling to figure out what I want. 😅😅
(& kinda already feel like my window is closing to find new grad positions -some listing were posted a month ago -do i still apply to those??)
Are all of my insecurities just screaming? 🤣