New Grads and Prescott Az VA?

silentRN · Mar 19, 2009

I used to live in Prescott about a year ago. Lived there for 2 years. I new some people that worked at the VA in Prescott as RNs. All that they said was to get hired at the VA is a long slow process. Start applying early.

I'm just curious, why the VA?

Becky8 · Mar 19, 2009

Besides wanting to work with the veteran population, and wanting to move out of New England and to a warmer, sunnier climate, at 50 years old, I was hoping to get some sort of decent retirement.

Prescott seems to fit the bill but at 50, I also know I want to feel satisfaction with my work or it just won't do. I do have some reservations with beauracracy and all that it may entail, so before I made a move, I wanted to see if others were happy working there. I think I will enjoy the vets since I have worked with men most of my life on ships as a merchant mariner and with a highway crew driving trucks and backhoes and the like. There is a comfort level there but with the viewpoint of a woman. I thought it might be a good fit but not if the government is going to make me crazy.

Do you still stay in touch with anyone there? I was going out this summer to scout things out. It is a big move for us and my husband woud be giving up his job in the move, so I would be the sole bread winner until he got settled. Thanks so much for your response.

Did you like living in Prescott ? Was it affordable and is there a variety of places to work as a nurse if the Va does not work out?

Thanks

silentRN · Mar 19, 2009

Prescott was a nice town. Elevation of 5000 or 5500 ft. Weather is really nice. Get all four seasons. I rode a motorcycle while I lived up there. Hour away from Sedona which is real nice.

I lived in a nice 2 bedroom apartment for 630 a month. Housing wise I don't know what the cost would be. I'm guessing it's a lot cheaper than it used to be due to the housing market crash.

I used to live close to Whisky Row. It was hard being single there because most people moved in from out of state already having a family. They have 2 other hospitals there too. One I worked at and I didn't like too well but that was before I was a nurse. Prescott is a nice city. I have lived in Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Phoenix, and now Tucson. I would say anywhere in Northern Arizona is the place the live unless you are desperate for a job then you may have to live in Phoenix. Just make sure you have a job already set before you move to Prescott because nursing jobs are hard to come by now days.

-David

Becky8 · Mar 21, 2009

Thanks so much for the info. It sounds realy nice there. I hear you about the VA taking a long time, so I might still go visit this summer, and when I graduate and get throught the NCLEX, be working here in NH while the application process is underway for prescott. I am so tired of winter here and it sure sounds like the weather is my cup of tea. Let us hope that the economy makes it possible for all nurses to find what they want out there in the working world. Thanks and good luck to you.

wanderlustnurse · Jun 28, 2009

I have worked at a medium-large VA in Tucson and worked as a student nurse tech at the PRescott VA, I have personal experience with Palo Alto and Houston VA. Prescott VA is a very tiny community hospital. New grads get very little orientation to their unit. It is not your typical VA teaching hospital because it is so small. I have worked at very large VA hospitals connected to med schools that have very high standards of care. As a new nurse,your option will be the 6 bed ICU, 3 bed ER, or the medical unit I think 25 beds. THe campus is beautiful. THey are expanding with a telli unit I think so should have positions coming up. Personally, I would never go here as my first job out of school. THey seem to have high turnover so shouldn't have a problem with a job unless the budget continues to be cut.

PRescott itself is a tiny town but has all the major amenities but restaurant wasteland - but I am comparing it to Seattle, POrtland, Phoenix, ... Weather is beautiful. Housing is way overpriced due to California people coming over to try and make a quick profit! ha ha- they are ******* now. You will meet many california people who bought a second home here- thinking they could turnaround and sale at a quick profit-- and our now stuck here while renting out there CA home.

Hoozdo, ADN · Jun 30, 2009

I worked as a new grad at the Phoenix VA. The hiring process does not have to be a long drawn out affair. They did mine in about a week, and it was the week before Christmas. If they really want you, they will speed it up.

You do know that is snows in Prescott, right?

rodeotown · Jun 19, 2010

I am a 50ish RN currently working at the Prescott AZ VA. I love it. I have been a nurse for many years, and am winding down a bit. Prescott offers good housing, depending on what you are looking for. The other major hospital here is not a good place for mature Nurses (they like them young). The VA however is a great place to work, and full of good people. It's an honor to care for our Vets, and I feel blessed to live in this area. Go to VACareers and start the process now. Contact the Nurse Recruiter too. Good luck, and hurry on out here.

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 21, 2010

I'm a nurse who just recently moved away from the Prescott area. I lived there seven years. I disagree that the other health system is not a good place to work for "older" nurses. They have two facilities - Yavapai Regional Medical Center East and West Campus (East, their original facility, is in Prescott, and West Campus, which has been around for 2-3 years, is in neighboring Prescott Valley). There's also a rehab hospital in Prescott Valley (Mountain Valley Regional Rehab), as well as a few different outpatient surgical hospitals (Prescott Outpatient Surgical Center, aka POSC, pronounced like "posse" and Tri-City Surgical center).

Prescott and the surrounding areas are absolutely beautiful. I'm convinced that the Prescott area has the most perfect weather of anywhere. You still get all four seasons, but not frigid cold the way you are certainly used to in NE, and summers are hot, but not unbearably so.

joleslaurent · Jul 4, 2010

I sent my application on the 26th.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to site specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

What are some of the questions during this structured interview?

wanderlustnurse · Jul 4, 2010

Hi-- THey are going to ask you to give specific examples when they ask you questions related to the job. Look up the words "knowledge, skills, abilities ) or KSAs and this will give you examples. For instance, PLease explain a situation where a patient or family was upset and how you handled it. With these kinds of questions they want you to state what was the problem, how did you handle it, and was it resolved to your satisfaction (and if not, how you would have handled it differently). Themes usually surround patient care, patient satisfaction, team player with coworkers, difficult situation (patient going south), ethical issue - (RN stealing drugs what would you do). GOOD LUCK

Bunches · Jul 17, 2010

I see you posted this in March, so probably you know this already. The Prescott VA is not utilizing their new grad RN program usually given in August of this year. They may have one next year . . . .The local Regional Center also pulled their new grad program. It's very hard to get jobs here in AZ. I was told today that one hospital in Phoenix received 150 applications from new grads for one opening and they are not giving interviews to anyone that just walks in. RN positions that are posted for the Prescott VA require at least 1 year's RN experience. 2 hours north of Prescott is Flagstaff - they posted 25 openings for new grads and received 250 responses. It's a tough market over here.