Moving to San Antonio......advice on hospitals

U.S.A. Texas

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Hello all,

I am going to be relocating to the San Antonio area and have found there is a large number of health systems and hospitals. I find this somewhat overwhelming and was hoping to gain some insight or feedback anyone may have. I have my RN, BSN with 2 1/2 years of step-down experience and a few months of MICU experience. I am hoping to apply to an ICU or ER, if anyone has an opinion on either of those areas as well. I thank you very much in advance!

Specializes in Peri-Op.

1/6-1/8 is the norm. Sometimes higher depending on staffing available. I don't think the staffing will get any better only worse with more overtime to those that work. Its all speculation but with a massive place Luke brook army opening soon it Will only thin the resources locally even more. Yeah there are local school putting out lots of new fads but if You are the one experienced RN with 4-5 fish working with you it would be hard for sure. Especially someplace that's not intended to work as a schooling type Environment for externs and such. I would rather have a 30 pt floor with 4 experienced RN staffed rather than 8 new grads.

Specializes in Peri-Op.

Again. I wouldn't turn the job down as I am very comfortable with myself an my ability. Pay is great though and you would have to deal with much less eager to work staff there than at other hospitals cause in general they know They aren't gonna get fired. I would not be happy but I would be taking a pay check home and have employment.

Specializes in NICU.

My uncle was a patient there, and he didn't have anything good to say about the VA. I don't remember everything he said about it, but I do remember him saying that "it's very unorganized." I can't tell you what exactly that is referring to, but when does "being unorganized" ever good?

juuust my two cents!

:saint: argo,

thank you for saving me from jumping out of the frying pan into the fire! up to 8 (probably high acuity) patients per nurse :eek:, and i assume, frequent mandatory overtime? no way! sounds like a recipe for burnout to me.

:hug: again, thank you for saving me from making a big mistake. i had my concerns, but just needed independent confirmation.

sometimes, the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence... :icon_roll

Specializes in NICU.

Have you tried Santa Rosa? It is a great hospital with great people. It is hard to get in as a new grad but if you are experienced it is a lot easier.

Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.
I have been in San Antonio for a number of years. Here is my scoop on the hospitals... Of the major hospital systems - Baptist will pay you the most but they also have the most nurses that are unhappy with them and leave quicker, hince the higher pay rate. Santa Rosa pays the least but has very good employee approval from people I know that work there. Methodist pays in the middle of the line and people like working for the system. They all pay based on years of experience and do not negotiate too much with you on pay.

Smaller hospitals are around also. I work at one of them that was mentioned above. They pay a little more because people bad talk them and they dont have as much applicant power.... My hospital pays quite well compared to anyone in town, if you want to know PM me. I have been with them for 10 years, they have their pros and cons but I love the people that I work with so I could say I am happy with the place. I would say at the smaller facilities you will get $3-5/hr more than at the bigger systems.

The VA pays alot because everyone there hates it......

I agree with everything you're saying.

Concerning the Baptist, I 'hear' similar things from my aunt. She doesn't have a problem with the hospital. She just has a very lukewarm impression of the place.

But it's a teaching hospital - so, that could be a bonus for new grads.

The VA...is a hot mess...

NEXT -->

:D

I kid, I kid. The VA's okay.

@RN4LOVE, I have a few vets in the family. None of them really like it.

....and yet, everytime you turn around, there they are.

At the VA. Hanging out. :D

The VA is where it's at, ya'll! It's an old veteran hangout.

It's like Country Towne Buffet, the BX and the base pharmacy rolled into one.

I take the words of my relatives w/a grain of salt. Some of them are pretty...ornery. :D

They could go to BAMC or Wilford Hall...nope. They go VA, complaining all the while.

So, I doubt that it's that bad.

Anyway, the VA isn't bad enough to stop me from working there. I'll talk pooh but...if they offered me a position? I'd scream, "I'LL TAKE IT!!" and report to work feasting on crow.

I see mention of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa? I'd like to work there. Their new facility on 151 westover (by seaworld) is very nice. My aunt was a pt in 09 and said that the nurses were pleasant.

Met a nurse who worked there. She likes her job. I suppose the smaller salary doesn't much matter?

...and honestly, I could deal with being paid less in a nice environment vs earning more than average while dealing with no support.

I know that everyone has bills to pay but too many folks make too much of money. Money is just 'tool'. It doesn't matter; just seems like it.

Meanwhile, there's something to be said for 'quality of life'....y'know?

Specializes in NICU.

I am a new grad at Christus Santa Rosa downtown. As far as I know Christus isn't a lower paying hospital. I am getting paid 2 1/2 dollars more an hour than my peers who went to Baptist and Methodist. I was always told during school that Christus was one of the higher paying hospitals???

Hello Argo! I've noticed you have a lot to say about the hospitals in San antonio. i just relocated here couple of days ago and got an apartment in the medical center. im trying to apply in methodist hospital - med center, st luke's and christus santa rosa either medical centr or main in downtown. im applying under Medical/Surgical ICU. Which icu dept could u recommend? i would want to work in a unit with great staff and good working environment, less nurse patient ratio? i dont mind the pay so long as im happy. I intend to get a 2nd job later on so i dont want to get burnt out very early knowing how stressful life in ICU could be. some friends recommend Lifecare too, on the side. hope u could share with me some ideas. thanks a lot!

I know this is a fairly old post, but I'd love some information on University Hospital in San Antonio and their Women's Services units. I find alot of information on the other hospitals here, but very little about University.

Hello Genu9ine... im sorry i dont have any info about the University Hosp. i hope u could share with me your opinion about other hospitals here. i am looking into applying with methodist hosp, st lukes or christus under medical icu. i just relocated here. thanks

Hello everyone! This thread has been very helpful, since I'm a new grad, just got my license, and now looking for a job. I've already sent several applications to Christus, Baptist, and University, and from what I understand, new RNs have to go through a residency program at Methodist, so I'm waiting until that date to apply there. Does anyone know if it's difficult to get in at Methodist?

Also thought about applying to the other hospitals like the Nix, etc. I also posted my resume on Monster and Careerbuilder, and got one response from an agency, but not certain if I want to find a job through an agency. I would rather wait a few weeks to see if I hear from the hospitals first before getting help through an agency. What do ya'll know about agency nursing? What are your thoughts?

This has been a little nerve-wracking because it seems like most places want nurses with experience. It's been a week since I got my license, so I'm very anxious and excited to begin my career!

Thanks!! ;)

Hi bzt96,

I need your help in the form of advice. I am really stressed out in the middle of working for two companies. One is Metropolitan Methodist Hospital's ED. Are you still there and could you give me any advice on this place, location, position? Did you like it, are you happy, is the staff out to get you type of attitude or is it team work? I am sure you are a busy person and your help is really really appreciated. I have to make a decision ASAP and I am so stressed out. I am not from the area and don't have people I can ask. Thanks!

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