San Antonio Hospitals/Insurance/Internships

[Pretty in Ink]

Hello,

I moved from San Antonio, TX to Round Rock, TX 5 years ago. In that time I have completed LVN school and am in a bridging program. I graduate with my RN in May 2010. I am wanting to move back to San Antonio to be closer to family and am looking at the Westover Hill area and Christus Santa Rosa hospital. I have several questions for you current nurses in San Antonio...any advice would be helpful!

1. Do any hospitals in have a new grad internship program?

2. Which hospitals have the best insurance plans?

3. What should I expect for starting pay as an RN in SA with 2 years LVN experience?

5. Which hospitals are viewed more as nurse friendly? Adequate staffing etc...

Thanks for your help!

:heartbeat

[slhtyme03]

Hi Pretty in Pink,

I was wondering if you have had any success in your research of San Antonio and the answer to your questions. I live in Oregon currently, and will graduate with my ADN in June, but I too am from San Antonio and I hope to be able to get a job there and move home.

Stephanie

[HRGwen]

Methodist has internships. We will have an April, June and September class. An LVN with two year will make almost $22 p/h. Methodist is the second largest private employer in San Antonio and in a partial ownership agreement with HCA the largest hospital system in the US and Methodist Ministries. We have lots of benefits buying power and because we direct care back to Methodist, you get great care. Our 401K is really nice too. www.sahealth.com.

Gwen

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

The CHRISTUS Santa Rosa System uses the Versant Program for new grads. It is a very comprehensive program. Their brand new Westover facility is a huge success - as a result, I believe they are having to increase staffing more quickly than they anticipated.

CHRISTUS Health is a very large Catholic faith-based hospital system. They have a great benefit program also, including health insurance from 'day one' of employment and tuition discounts at their 'sister' university in San Antonio (University of the Incarnate Word). I would encourage you to talk to Santa Rosa recruiters for details.

Good Luck!

[myrose]

I also recommend Santa Rosa. I am doing a nursing externship now and love it. The nurses have been great and I have learned so much. The versant program is supposed to be great. Good luck!

[Pretty in Ink]

Thank you for all the feedback. I have tried to contact CSR twice regarding their Versant program. By the time I looked at the website, the deadline had already passed to apply (November). I would have thought they would start applications around this time or closer to graduation to see which students pass HESI or (the exit exam) and actually graduate with a GN permit. No one has contacted me back yet. I am going to contact Methodist this week but am kinda bummed about the pay considering I will have 2 years LVN experience by the time I graduate with my RN. Also, I have noticed there are no magnet hospitals in S.A. I was wondering if any nurses find this status of any benefit??

[bluegrassashley]

Do Not Go To Work For Methodist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nurses there are treated like lepers. The pay is a joke and the management is even more pathetic. I worked there 6 weeks before I ever saw my director, even then she had no idea who I was. I have worked all over this country and I can promise that there is not a worse job in the country than being a nurse for Methodist. Santa Rosa, though, is wonderful.

[Argo]

Bluegrassashley, which Methodist facility did you work at? My wife has been at one in San Antonio for 8 years and loves It..... just because you worked at one and had a bad experience doesn't make them all bad.

[DragonflyLady17]

Is there any other graduate nurse programs in Texas? I applied for the Versant program and waiting to hear back. Which other hospitals have a friendly atmosphere and excellent teaching? Thanks!