Anyone have opinions on Madigan army hospital or Virginia Mason?

U.S.A. Washington

Published

Hi, My husband and I are moving to the Tacoma or Seattle area. We have a definite offer at Madigan Army hospital already and a second offer at Virginia Mason. Has anyone out there ever worked for either place, and if so what is your opinion of them. We are going to visit both places in february, however, I would like to have some others ideas on the two. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I've never worked at Madigan, but my Dad's the director of nursing and and I went with him on Christmas Day to visit with the patients. From what I could see (as a new grad 6 months out), it looks like a fairly nice hospital-they don't lack for technology. What department would you be working in?

I've only seen the outside of Virginia Mason and so can't really say anything on that.

Between the two, though, Madigan will be less of a traffic headache since it's located just south of Tacoma, whereas Virginia Mason is in the center of the city, with a stone's throw away from Harborview (the regional level 1 place) and Swedish. On the other hand, I loved living the city life even though it's so expensive.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been to madigan several times - shadowed some nurses there.. I was stationed at fort lewis for several years as well - I highly recommend the area and madigan hospital. I personally recommend living SOUTH of tacoma... look at dupont, lacey and olympia... the drive north is much nicer and the traffic is not that bad.. also the areas are much more 'appealing' IMHO then tacoma.

I would recommend working at madigan from all that I have seen - it has a great reputation - great to work with soldiers - and a nice living environment.

v/r

Up Vote Up Vote ×

THanks so much for your help with our choice. We are really looking forward to seeing the two areas but at this point Madigan seems to be way ahead in my opinion. Thanks again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care transport.

How do you get a job there? I can't seem to find where you would apply.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

search via USAJOBS or search google for CPOL - federal jobs to support army and air force.

v/r

ps fed jobs typically take a while - the process is quite (very) slow compared to what you might expect. I'd recommend the possibility of moving up and getting an alternate job and then applying ;) or at least being aware of the possible lag time from application to offer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! well.....I am actually a military wife, and a nurse. I am trying to get on at Madigan, but yet has the luck of doing so...like ya said it can take awhile. And sometimes when you apply for a job, you really don't know what you are applying for except for a nursing position.

Madigan is pretty good. The only parts that is hard...is being a patient at time. The ER is hard being a pt! I went in there one day because my vision was blurry, and my b/p ended up being 210/190!!!! (they found out for some reason my K+ was like 3.3) but I was in the ER for 8 hours....and I was triage at a II! most patients in the ER normal wait time is between 8-14 hours!

And the Pharmacy...oh my. if you don't get there by 7 am....you could wait between 1.5-3 hours to get your medication. but hey....when you are a military dependent, veteran...or active duty this is free.

otherwise, the staff, the doctors and the nurses are wonderful. it is a great place....and I just wish I could get hired on there!!!!! Good luck!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment