Banner North Colorado Medical Center | Greeley, CO

Here’s a breakdown of travel nurse experiences and key insights about Banner North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley, CO, based on online reviews and comments from nurses who’ve worked there.

*Note: Chatgpt is an amazing tool that I think comes in handy for analyzing reviews. This information was gathered by me, Kristin Farnsworth, from travelers at Atlas Medstaff as well as various social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit and then filtered through Chatgpt to put it all in an easy-to-read format.

Work Environment

• Core staff and travelers: Many units are heavily staffed with travelers due to a lack of core staff, creating a traveler-friendly environment.

• Unit-specific feedback:

  • ICU: Ratios typically 1:2, occasionally tripled, but supported by great staff and CNAs.

  • PCU: Ratios 1:4 to 1:5; reportedly busy but manageable. Travelers may float to med-surg or other units like "ED Holding."

  • Med-Surg: Ratios of 1:5 to 1:6 on nights, with a decent level of support.

  • OR: Praised for excellent staff and surgeons. Travelers loved the experience here.

Patient Demographics and Case Load

• Patient ratios:

  • ICU: 1:2 with occasional triples.

  • PCU: 1:4 to 1:5, occasionally higher due to acuity.

  • Med-Surg: 1:5 to 1:6.

• Diversity: A significant bilingual population; Spanish fluency is helpful.

• Challenges:

  • High acuity patients dispersed to inappropriate units at times.

  • Instances of understaffed doctors and delayed orders from ED admissions.

Facility Conditions

• Technology: Uses Cerner charting. Transport systems are efficient, minimizing delays.

• Amenities: Ample parking available in a garage. OR facilities praised for their design and functionality.

• Staffing: High reliance on travel nurses; specific float travelers handle inter-hospital floating.

• Concerns: Reports of declining conditions due to staffing shortages, leading some to prefer nearby UCHealth facilities.

Safety and Housing

• Safety: The hospital and surrounding area are generally safe, though housing close to the college may have more activity.

• Housing challenges: Affordable housing is limited. Many nurses live in nearby Fort Collins or Loveland, 30–45 minutes away.

• Environment: The town occasionally smells due to nearby feedlots and processing plants, which some find hard to tolerate.

General Sentiment

• Positive Experiences:

  • Many nurses appreciated the supportive and welcoming staff.

  • Several extended their contracts, highlighting good pay and manageable workloads.

• Negative Experiences:

  • Reports of unsafe nurse-to-patient ratios and a lack of core staff in some units.

  • Concerns about staffing shortages leading to unsafe practices, such as admitting patients without doctor orders.

  • Mixed reviews about the area’s livability, particularly regarding odors and limited amenities.

Advice for Travelers

• Best units to work: ICU and PCU are favored due to better ratios and support.

• Units to avoid: Some med-surg and mixed-assignment units are seen as less ideal due to heavy workloads and high-acuity assignments.

• Housing tips: Plan to live in Fort Collins or Loveland for better amenities and quality of life.

• Workload tips: Be prepared to float frequently if not on ICU or OR assignments. Familiarity with Cerner and Spanish language skills are beneficial.

• Social opportunities: WeldWerks Brewery is a local favorite among staff for downtime.

Conclusion

Banner Greeley offers solid opportunities for travelers, particularly those in ICU and PCU roles, but it comes with challenges like high ratios, staffing shortages, and housing difficulties. While many have had positive experiences, others recommend considering nearby UCHealth facilities for better conditions.