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by TazziRN

My dad can't drive long distances because of his vision, so today I took him to the VA for a checkup. First time I've ever been there. I know the VA system has its problems, as does military medicine in general, but my family has always been well treated by the military. I was impressed with the appearance of this facility (fairly new) and most of all, how my dad was treated. I watched the employees and they all seemed happy. I told my dad I would seriously consider putting in my app there, except that I would no longer deal with kids, which I love.

[GregRN]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

The VA system, by many measures, is the best healthcare system in the country. It has achieved the "holy grail" of healthcare: highest satisfaction rates by it's customers and the lowest cost per patient. They are still trying to shed the image of yesteryear as being shoddy, rundown, tied up by bureaucratic red tape and filled with employees who appear not to care whatsoever. But it's really come a long way in doing all it can for some very important people.

[TazziRN]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

Originally Posted by GregRN

They are still trying to shed the image of yesteryear as being shoddy, rundown, tied up by bureaucratic red tape and filled with employees who appear not to care whatsoever. But it's really come a long way in doing all it can for some very important people.

And this is what I was used to. I remember, years ago, I saw a special on a VA hospital. Hidden cameras were set up to show the mistreatment of vets. One resident/pt was a quad; an aide set a meal tray on the table and left it there......for hours. One of the cameramen took pity and fed the pt. That story has haunted me all these years, and I am so glad that it has changed. There are two groups of people that deserve to be take care of with the best we've got: our elderly and our veterans.

[Elvish]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

My dad is a vet & used to work at the VA, not as a nurse. He liked it a lot and liked the benefits. I've heard good & bad but I'm hoping the trend is toward improvement.

[nrsang97]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

My aunt works for the VA in Ann Arbor, MI and it is a beautiful hospital. She works in administration. As a kid my brother and I went to work with her and we would stay with her or go to the research lab.

My brother also was doing EKG's at the VA in Detroit,MI part time during one summer. I had to go down there with him a few times and It was a very nice hospital. My brother did some HS health carrers there and was trained as a EKG tech. My brother learned a lot there.

[CHATSDALE]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

there is a va hosp in area..i went there once to visit : the floors gleamed

the problem with some of the employees if they came get by one year they are permanent and it is very difficult to get rid of them

[santhony44]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

They have a fantastic electronic medical record system.

I had that old bad impression too, until I was teaching and had students in the VA clinic (graduate students). I was very impressed with the quality of care and the providers there.

The only reason I don't work in a VA clinic is the same as Tazzi's, I love pediatrics too much.

[angelymick]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

I don't work for the VA, but I work at a Military Hospital. I cannot tell you enough how wonderful my job is. I find most of my co-workers to
much happier than at the previous civilian hospital I worked at.
There is such an air of respect and politeness. I am a LPN and not once has a Doctor, Physicians Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or a Registered Nurse ever made me to feel beneath them. They treat me like we are all part of a team.
I

[nj1grlcrus]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

I do a phlebotomy clinical at the VA hospital in East Orange, NJ. Great place, just remodelled the Oncology floor, nice people work there, and the patients are terrific. Too bad they don't treat kids. One other benefit, all the patients speak English, gotta love that, my nursing clinical is in a hospital with the vast majority of patients non-english speaking. If you can't get a translator, you are screwed for assessments. Forget about Process Recording...

[TazziRN]

Re: VA hospital........WOW! I was impressed!!

Originally Posted by nj1grlcrus

One other benefit, all the patients speak English, gotta love that, my nursing clinical is in a hospital with the vast majority of patients non-english speaking. If you can't get a translator, you are screwed for assessments. Forget about Process Recording...

Oooo.......I didn't think about that...........it's looking more and more attractive........