CalmNurse

Hello Everyone, I have ten years of experience as a Med/Surg nurse, and I'm considering my career options. I'm interested in working as a Utilization Review Nurse in a VA CPAC (Consolidated Patient Account Center). I know that there are several around the country: Las Vegas, NV Lebanon, PA Orlando, FL Middleton, WI Leavenworth, KS Smyrna, TN Is there a CPAC that you would recommend, or suggest that I avoid? Is there something that you wish you had known before taking the Utilization Review Nurse position? What is your workload like? Is it stressful? What do you see as the pros and cons of working in a CPAC? Any information that you are able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello everyone, If you work as a staff RN at the Albuquerque or Las Vegas VA Hospital would you please give me your opinion on: Working conditions for inpatient nurses, ex. nurse-to-patient ratios, particularly on nights and weekends Pay scale and if any differentials are given for working nights and/or weekends Nursing culture, ex. are nurses friendly and helpful, or stressed and burned out? Best floors/units to work on, best floors/units to avoid Advice on making a smooth transition to either facility Which facility do you prefer: Albuquerque or Las Vegas? FYI: I have ten years of experience on a Med/Surg unit. Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

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 , 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

Argo, Thank you SO MUCH! Yes, I do recall a strike, I believe as recent as last September related to nurses in critical speciality areas being promised one salary to move to San Antonio, but then being required to pay the salary difference back once they moved to San Antonio and started working. Yikes! I have just two more questions, do you know what the nurse/patient ratios are like, say on a med-surg floor? And finally, do you think conditions will change with the many new hospitals planned for the metro area in the very near future (due to competition for staff, etc.)? Your answers may very well give me the strength to make my final decision.... Thank you again for your candor and honesty! :hug:

Hey Argo, Can you PLEASE give me the scoop on why you think "everyone hates" the VA? What have you heard from nurses working there, ex. working conditions (nurse/patient ratios, etc.) I'm at a critical decision point and need all the insight and advice I can get right now! Please help! Thanks for telling it like it is!

hello everyone, i am thinking of moving to san antonio and applying at the audie l. murphy va hospital in san antonio (which is part of the south texas health care system). if you work at this hospital, or know someone who does, would you please provide me with the following information: 1. what are the nurse to patient ratios on the med-surg inpatient units? 2. best floors to work on? floors to avoid at all costs? 3. overall working environment: would you recommend or not recommend this hospital? 4. what do you like, and/or dislike about living in san antonio, texas? any information would be greatly appreciated! thank you very much! :)