[flowerchick]

Hi All! I've moved from Illinois to Buckeye a few weeks ago. Both of the above hospitals are somewhat near me and I was wondering if anyone has any experiences or opinions of the atmosphere, ratios, working conditions, etc. I graduated last May and have worked 6 months in Med/Surg. I sent in my application for endorsement last week, so it will be a while yet. I'm looking to start in January,(give me time to get to know the area, settle the family, get my license, etc) but I'd like to start my research now so I end up being happy with my decision.

Any input would be great and appreciated!


Thanks in advance!

[jamonit]

many of the people i graduated with love banner estrella. banner hospitals offer great benefits and are non-profit. west valley is the opposite--they are abrazo hospitals and have a bad rep. banner is a much better choice, if you have the option. the benis and pay are great.

good luck!

[Nurmom86]

i would definetley have to agree with the previous poster. i had a horrible experience more than one time at abrazo hospitals, and was talking to a nurse i work with about employment at hospitals and she wouldnt even recommend it due to cost cutting, bad work enviornment, and so forth. estrella is beautiful, people there are amazing, and they are expanding soon with a 6th floor! good luck with your decision!

best of luck to you!

[flowerchick]

Thank you so much for your responses! I've talked to people in the community as well and they say the same things as both of you. Even from a community standpoint, most people I talk to would drive the extra few miles down I-10 to go to Banner as opposed to West Valley for their care.

Plus, I'm pretty happy that I figured out I don't have to take "Death I-10" and that I can take Indian School all the way in. I'd rather have it take a little longer and not need anti-anxiety meds to drive in

[experiencedrn]

Flowerchick,
First off welcome to the area, and congrats on becoming a nurse. Right now the abrazo facilities are undergoing some not so nice change and the staff are in an uproar. Several of the Abrazo facilities have gotten a bad rep due to staffing ratios ect. I have done agency work at West Valley and would not recomend it to a new grad. There is little team work there and the ratios are high. I have not worked at Banner Estrella, I have heard some not so nice things from experianced nurses that work there. Banner in general in the valley is a good company to work for, but they have there issues as do all facilities. Hope this helps and good luck with your search.

[RainDreamer]

If I had to chose between those 2 hospitals, I would pick Estrella (although Banner benefits aren't all that great, but anything would be better than Abrazo).

Good luck to you! Let us know how it goes.

[lovinla23]

Banner Estrella--hands down. But then again I'm probably bias since I work there . But seriously, most pts and family members who come in say they would much rather drive a couple more miles for the quaility care that Banner offers. Not to mention they have an exceptional reputation for treating their employees well.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you love living in AZ!

[flowerchick]

Thanks for the input! This really helps me make my decision (Banner!). I just mailed my fingerprint card yesterday, so hopefully the State of Illinois won't take too long sending my license certification. (Fat chance...I mailed it the same day I mailed my endorsement application and they haven't even cashed the check yet.)

I don't want to apply until I have my AZ license in hand.

I love waiting.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by experiencedrn

Flowerchick,
First off welcome to the area, and congrats on becoming a nurse. Right now the abrazo facilities are undergoing some not so nice change and the staff are in an uproar. Several of the Abrazo facilities have gotten a bad rep due to staffing ratios ect. I have done agency work at West Valley and would not recomend it to a new grad. There is little team work there and the ratios are high. I have not worked at Banner Estrella, I have heard some not so nice things from experianced nurses that work there. Banner in general in the valley is a good company to work for, but they have there issues as do all facilities. Hope this helps and good luck with your search.

I realize this post is a couple of months old, but I was REALLY hoping you could tell us about the ratios at West Valley hospital. I'm not a new grad, but I don't want to be abused. Thinking of med/surg or tele. Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!

[lovensoccer3]

I would totally recomend Banner Estrella. It is a great place to work!! We are all so nice!