San Antonio Hospitals

apocatastasis · May 24, 2012

I can't speak for the ER, but I did work at Baptist Medical Center Surgical ICU when I was a new nurse from 2009-2010... and if I ever set foot in a hospital even remotely like that again, I now know to turn around and run.

danggirl · Jun 14, 2012

Relocating to San Antonio, TX. Does anyone have any insight on the hospitals, which ER's are good, which ones to stay away from?
Any knowledge would be appreciated

Don't know if you have moved yet but here is what I know after living and working in SA the past 15 years. First, ER jobs are hit or miss...there are very few day positions ever so applying for a night position to get your foot in the door may be your best bet. Next, one of the main downtown hospitals (Christus Santa Rosa) is closing the adult ER and converting the rest of the hospital into a children's center. PLUS a crop of new grads just entered the market.

With that in mind, you have a lot of different hospitals within a few hospital systems from which to choose. There are currently two Level 1 designated ER's....SAMMC (formerly Brook Army Medical Center) and University Hospital if trauma designation factors into your decision. I have worked for all three of the main systems here (Christus, Methodist, and Baptist) and honestly they all have their good and bad points. I just started at Northeast Baptist ER and I can report that I am enjoying they people (staff) very much even when the nights turn into a hellish nightmare! I have also heard that the Mission Trails Baptist has a good group of nurses etc. Christus and Methodist have some newer facilities (last 2-3 years) which may translate to available and/or functional equipment and more advanced technology. ALSO, there are several free standing fully functional ER's opening in the city (not med clinics, genuine ER's). If pediatrics is more your thing, all three systems have dedicated pediatric ER's.

You could always sign up the the staffing pools within the different systems to get a glimpse of the different environments and the staffing atmospheres.

Which ever one you choose, good luck to you and welcome to San Antonio!