jzprple,
I can tell you the pay will vary for a GN between $15-17/hr base plus shift diff. The VA pays higher than the other hospitals. Wesley pays somewhere between $15-16/hr. Via Christi pays $16.25/hr. The one thing you need to consider when moving here is if you can afford to not have a full-time job. I have been told by numerous nurses in various hospitals here that even though they were hired on as full-time, doesn't mean they will get the hours. Most nurses have 2 or 3 jobs in this market to make ends meet.
As far as best place to work, well this is just my opinion but I like the Via Christi hospitals. I have done clinicals in all of the hospitals in the Wichita area, and I can tell you they are better. Wesley Medical Center is okay, but I wouldn't work there b/c of staffing, treatment of their nurses, lawsuits, etc. The Robert J. Dole Memorial Hospital is okay. It has problems, too but mostly with management. The one good thing I will say about the VA is they have excellent benefits and guarantees the nurses they will not be called off if census is low. You will be guaranteed your hours there. However, you may end up floating to a different department or working as an aid if needed to keep these hours.
I will be graduating in May, and I will not be staying in the area. I'm not trying to be negative, but the nursing shortage here seems to be in areas other than hospitals. The benefits aren't near as good here as they are in other areas of the country like the east and west coasts.
Good luck in your decision. If you do happen to move here, PM me and I'll give you some information on the better areas of town, schools, etc.
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