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cmt4j - your story interests me very much. I am an NP who is seriously considering a position at Duke. Can you tell me what you do there? Are you a nurse? Another reason I'm asking is that my DH is an RN and has recently accepted a position at one of Duke's affiliate hospitals. Additionally, I truly believe that nobody should remain in a position in which they are totally miserable. If you feel it is truly toxic you have a couple of choices: either hang in there for the next 4 months and apply for a lateral move on another unit. The 4 months will give you some time to really look around, talk to other staff and find out what units seem to promote cohesiveness/colleagiality and which units have high rates of retention. Or, you can go elsewhere - there are several hospitals in the Triangle and I'm certain you can find a position in one of them that seems to be a good fit.
I did my post-doc at Duke. A long-time Duke faculty member described my experience there very well: "Duke eats their young."
You may find something you really enjoy there, but there are a lot of alpha-males/females to deal with.
I did my postdoc at Duke too. I had enough unpleasant experiences to write a book. Rarely have I met such a bunch of insincere, win at all costs people. My department head was on his 5th marriage, my boss would constantly lie and talk at 100 miles per hour just to win an argument. Horrible. Try UNC.
My husband's uncle works there (nurse of anesthesia) and it's HORRIBLE. That being said, he's been there a zillion years so it's obviously not utterly unbearable
I am/was a professor and would love to think I could work at Duke for the tuition break for my kids, but I've heard terrible things. My father in law went to Duke for nursing/anesthesia school and spends a hefty amount of time pushing Duke on my kids. I told him unless he was going to open his wallet for tuition AND psychotherapy, my kids were only going to be applying to UNC or NC State I'm only half kidding.
So true! Even if you try to set boundaries. Duke is a machine and will suck the life out of you. My mother worked at Duke for years, even had a heart attack while at work. Good thing she was there b/c they did save her life, but they wanted to know when she'd be able to come back to work. She ended up taking early retirement b/c she couldn't continue to do the work. She was 62 yrs old and they wanted her to be in charge of carrying the code box (and you can't take an elevator when there is someone is coding)--it's very heavy, and she is a slight woman. Duke has a way of "getting rid" of those they don't want there anymore by making them so miserable they end up quitting, or they stress you out b/c they keep staff at such low levels. (Maybe that's the reason for the bad attitudes). Everyone I know at Duke who has stuck it out (nearing retirement) hates it and manages to get moved to something like Duke Eye Care Clinic, or scales back their hours sufficiently to deal (you can do that when you have such seniority). Move to WakeMed or Moses Cone.
Moderator cut: removed ...My aunt just left last week after her 2nd mild heart attack! Wakemed has a very unprofessional work environment and according to her, people are quitting left and right, especially the nurses..I feel for them! Nothing like having your own small business..My aunt is now thinking of becoming a Florist so that she can have her own shop. NC is great for small business, so I'd look into opening my own business, rather than another employer. Best of luck
Last edited by autumngal; 05-06-2008 at 12:02 PM..
Moderator cut: removed Wakemed is worse...My aunt just left last week after her 2nd mild heart attack! Wakemed has a very unprofessional work environment and according to her, people are quitting left and right, especially the nurses..I feel for them! Nothing like having your own small business..My aunt is now thinking of becoming a Florist so that she can have her own shop. NC is great for small business, so I'd look into opening my own business, rather than another employer. Best of luck
Did something just change? WakeMed has a history of treating employees and patients like family.
Last edited by autumngal; 05-06-2008 at 12:03 PM..
Reason: Mod edit quote
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