Nurses' Perspectives

“It's an amazing experience working in an underserved community. We rely on each other to better care for our patients, from inserting IVs to communicating with families. Everyone deserves good care, so it's extremely rewarding to serve this patient population. I love this place so much!” - Bethany, RN, Medical Surgical, Los Angeles Community Hospital

“I'm grateful for the opportunities I have at Los Angeles Community Hospital and gaining specialty ICU training. My colleagues are welcoming and friendly, and have a passion for taking care of the patients and supporting one another.” - Rebeca, RN, Relief Charge ICU, Los Angeles Community Hospital

“Los Angeles Community Hospital is very close-knit, and we work well together. Our management team encourages employees to give their ideas for improving processes to help our workflow and provide better patient care. They listen to us and try to incorporate our recommendations. I left but came back because it was such a great place to work. My voice was heard here, and I've been given a chance for advancement.” - Erica, RN, Charge Nurse, Medical-Surgical, Los Angeles Community Hospital

“At a community hospital, you get to know everyone you work with including administration and doctors.  Also, our nursing education is exceptional, providing individualized training and hands-on with a preceptor (experienced licensed clinician who supervises nursing students during their clinical rotations).” - Arlene, Charge Nurse, Medical-Surgical, Los Angeles Community Hospital

“It's nice to know that if I’m challenged with something there is always someone to help. From blood pressure checks to consulting with doctors to getting patient consent, I always have a lifeline here and I’m never left alone.” – Esther, RN, Medical-Surgical, Los Angeles Community Hospital

“After years with the City of Los Angeles, I was inspired by my grandfather to become a nurse. I came to Los Angeles Community Hospital through the new grad program because it offers a great opportunity to get acute care experience. The hospital is very supportive in helping its new graduate nurses develop their nursing skills.” – Danielle, RN, Medical-Surgical, Los Angeles Community Hospital 

“Patients get the best quality care when a team can work together. We are a smaller hospital with an emphasis on quality preceptors who facilitate ongoing learning during clinical practice. Building our skills helps us work well together, which is why education makes a difference.” – Jasmine, RN Relief Charge, Medical-Surgical, LA Community Hospital

"I have received a great education at Los Angeles Community Hospital. In a high-acuity setting like a hospital, you gain so much experience in various clinical areas.  When I started, I was even eased into my job with a lot of support from the other nurses until I felt completely comfortable. It's a great place to both work as well as learn." – Blanca, RN, Medical-Surgical, LA Community Hospital

"I enjoy working at Los Angeles Community Hospital and how I can work closely with the physicians to plan the best patient care. Unlike my previous jobs, here I get to learn different things every day, such as calling for consults, prepping patients for surgery/procedure, and patient care planning, which makes me feel like I’m making a difference in my patients’ lives. The open-door policy with administration gives us the opportunity to voice our opinions.” - Portia, LVN, ICU/Subacute, LA Community Hospital

“Norwalk Community Hospital is a great place to expand one’s nursing education and career. Coming from a nursing home environment, I had a lot of experience working with patients; but here, I got the opportunity to expand my clinical expertise with lab results, IVs and monitoring vitals, as well as communicating with patients who may be very sick. It's a great place to work!” - Silena, LVN, Medical-Surgical, Norwalk Community Hospital

“I came to Norwalk Community Hospital from a long-term care setting to expand my experience in an acute care hospital. Beyond the great camaraderie, I learn something new every day. Joining this team shortly before the pandemic began, gave me a fast-track education, with the opportunity to expand my knowledge and learn how to adapt in an unknown pandemic environment, such as COVID-19.” - Zeke, RN, Medical-Surgical, Norwalk Community Hospital

“Working at Norwalk Community Hospital has made me a better nurse. I work with patients with a variety of chronic diseases and learn to help my patients through medications and medical devices. My coworkers are always friendly and helpful f I need assistance with a patient. This is a great place to work to increase your knowledge and be the best quality nurse you can be.” - Jezebal, LVN, Medical-Surgical, Norwalk Community Hospital

I love working at Los Angeles Community Hospital where I can serve a small underserved community and one in which I grew up in. Its rewarding to see patients progress and get better. My role here in the last eight years has allowed me to build my critical thinking skills and to gain experience in many areas of healthcare. – Ashley, LVN, Employee Health

I’ve been at Los Angeles Community Hospital for five years, and it’s been a great experience.  I started as a new grad.  The ICU was a great place to start because I was able to learn a lot by moving around to various departments from the ER to Telemetry to PACU and, now, as a relief house supervisor the last two years.  I also love working here because it’s like a family, where even the hospital administration knows your name. – Christine, BSN, RN, ICU

I’ve worked at Norwalk Community Hospital for 20 years and it has become “my second home.”  I’ve enjoyed mentoring younger nurses in addition to helping critical patients get the most comprehensive care needed for their illness. When we get a challenging patient, such as cardiac arrest, we can quickly coordinate care with the doctors and departments, which can range from case management to social services to spiritual care. A nurse with natural leadership and critical thinking skills is a great fit for the ICU. - Nenita, RN, Critical Care/ICU

I came to Los Angeles Community Hospital for the great opportunity as a new grad, but I’ve stayed because of the many opportunities to apply my critical thinking skills to anticipate the next steps in a patient care. We are encouraged to think independently, while at the same encouraged to ask for support from other nurses and doctors, if needed. - Jenny, RN, ICU

In the Norwalk Community Hospital emergency department we never know the type of patients will come through the door—from chest pain to orthopedic conditions to power tool injuries. We have to be ready for anything and switch gears quickly. It can be a high stress environment here, so we often share knowledge to provide the best quality care. Collaboration and teamwork also help us to keep each other calm and in check. This job helps one to build self-control and breathe when a challenging patient comes in. - Philip, RN, Emergency Department

Los Angeles Community Hospital is a great to work with a dynamic staff where you can both relate to each other and get the help you need to be a great nurse. I love that my coworkers are willing to help me with any issue. Our diverse patient population helps new nurses get accelerated training in all aspects of nursing—not just one specialty. - Whitney, RN, Medical-Surgical

I love being a nurse at Los Angeles Community Hospital because we provide care to an underserved patient population. These patients are truly grateful for the simplest of things; it’s so gratifying to help those in need. We provide true community healthcare.

Any nurse seeking both a heartfelt experience and an in-depth knowledge of all areas of healthcare should come here to work to get a solid foundation for the rest of his or her career. Our nurses have the biggest hearts. From the first day I came here, I was greeted with a smile.  I try to pass that same smile to my patients now. -  Tiffany, RN, Medical-Surgical

Los Angeles Community Hospital is dedicated to both acute patients and those requiring longer-term subacute care. I love helping these patients and watching them progress. I’ve been here 24 years and love our caring environment.  We all work together seamlessly; when there is a critical patient issue everyone does their part, follows instructions, and leaves their egos behind.

The teamwork helps staff members feel confident in knowing that leadership is there to support them. Nothing is in the way of achieving quality care here, which is why have so many veteran nurses. - Uracha, RN, Subacute

I like working at LA Community Hospital because it gives me the opportunity for great hospital experience and chance to work in various units. No matter which department I’ve been in, everyone is very helpful and gets me up to speed. You don't get these kinds of opportunities at bigger hospitals. - Ani, RN, Medical-Surgical/Telemetry