Valley Regional Med Center-Anyone know recent info?

U.S.A. Texas

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I have been offered a medical floor job at Valley Regional in Brownsville, TX (not to be confused with Valley Baptist also in Brownsville). I have no other offers and am graduating this month from RN school. I have only had 1 phone screen from another hospital and they say that they have many other applicants. I probably am going to take the job due to the economy. Does anyone have any advice on what to watch out for such as patient ratios (they claim 6-7:1 days if they're not lying), office politics, language barrier (I know the patients speak Spanish but can aides, others translate?), etc? This hospital seemed very eager to recruit me although other hospitals mostly ignored me! :o Also, is it safer to live in Harlingen and commute rather than live in Brownsville?

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Specializes in ER, Rural Nursing, Public Health.

I worked at Harlingen VB in 2004-2005. I lasted 9 months. I found the staff vicious in most areas (except the CCU, which I was transferred to after a horrible ER experience). Transferring pts to the floor was unnerving sometimes, as we knew what the nurses were like.

I hated Harlingen. Not a great place to live. I spent a lot of time in Brownsville with friends and liked it (more happening than Harlingen). Definitely both areas have their crime BUT Brownsville is pretty bad. Any bordertown is.

I was recruited from Canada and they said EVERYTHING to get me to come down to Texas. I absolutely to this day regret going down there. I was hired into the ER and they literally threw me in with NO ONE wanting to preceptor me or any courses to support my the ER practice. Then they got ****** when I wanted to transfer up to the CCU.

VB Brownsville I never heard to much about. I worked with a girl in CCU who picked up OT there and didn't say too much about it. All I know is she said they were chronically short staffed. People would rather work/ live in Harlingen than Brownsville I guess.

If you can get into the CCU in Harlingen, I would recommend it. In 2005 they took new grads and gave you all the courses/ support. I learned tons up there and it was a true team.

Take Care

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Thank you for your reply. I will be working at Valley Regional but it is all in the same general area. I was thinking about living in Harlingen for a lower crime rate and it is between McAllen with new stores, etc. and commuting to work in Brownsville with more crime. Did you dislike Harlingen mainly because of a lack of activities? Does my plan seem reasonable?

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Hi!

I have an interview there this coming week for a position. I am considering relocating there for a number of reasons and would be happy to talk or meet people doing the same. I am from the Northeast and a Dec 09 BSN grad (a second degree). Not sure where I will live but open to possibilities. Let me know if you decide to take the position, and when you will be starting.

-J

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Specializes in ER, Rural Nursing, Public Health.

The situation there has probably changed - it's been over 4 years since I last worked there. You both might really enjoy it, but it wasn't my bag.

However, there is always South Padre Island! At least that is a cool little spot.

Every place has it's benefits.

Good Luck to both of you

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

Have you checked out Christus Spohn Region in the Corpus Christi area? I know for a fact that they are hiring new grads and Corpus is really nice. I lived in Dallas for many years and always heard how hot Corpus is and some other not so nice things. I really love it here. Its beautiful in most parts of the city and the people are very friendly. Spohn pays well too, with great benefits and they have 4 hospitals in the area. PM me if you want more info.

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