Sierra Vista or Tucson???

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 9, 2003

Originally posted by military spouse
Hello,
My husband and I will be moving to Sierra Vista, AZ and I am wondering if there is a shortage or nurses in the area or if I should plan on commuting to Tucson? Does anyone know of any weekend options (Baylor) in the area? We are moving from El Paso, TX where there is a tremendous shortage with decent wages (25-30hr, depending on job/shift). I realize there is only one hospital and a few nursing homes in Sierra Vista. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

Tucson, I do believe would have more options and opportunities. They also have the University Medical Center, and the last I heard, were the first in the nation to reduce their nurse:patient ratio to 1:4 approximately a year ago. Worth looking into. :)

Kabin · Dec 10, 2003

UMC might be a good place to work. On the otherhand, my wife was a resident/attending there and I recall there were always $ shortage problems, maybe more related to a lack of research funding. If you weren't a department head, UMC couldn't be competitve with MD salaries.

The other thing to mention is that both Tucson and Sierra Vista have high immigrant populations with no insurance and that hurts money flow! And, like most states, AZ is having a state budget crisis. Having said all that, I'm surprised UMC went to a 1:4 patient ratio.

d2p · Feb 1, 2004

Just so you know - UMC also offers incentives for nurses who travel greater than, like, 40 miles to work. I am almost sure Sierra Vista qualifies and feel certain there are several nurses who still carpool. It is a great place to work as a nurse. There is a lot to choose from and the benefits are pretty good. There is also a 4:1 patient to nurse ratio and the facility is a Magnet hospital. There are great benefits and it would do you well to look into nursing there. There is also an airbase out of Sierra Vista, so if you are into flight nursing, it may be an option for you. Good luck,

D2

Kabin · Feb 1, 2004

Could you confirm about UMC's 4:1 nurse patient ratio? A friend working at UMC said they trimmed the ratio by reducing tech help so now RNs are doing more basic care nursing in addition to previous responsibilities.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2004

I've heard great things about UMC. I had clinicals there back in '91. I felt it was a positve experience, and this was before the one to four ratios were implimented.

Here is an article:

http://www.azstarnet.com/health/news/030705umc.shtml

d2p · Feb 1, 2004

Yes, it is my understanding that some floors did cut the tech support. There is generally still one tech devoted to tele monitoring and instead of 4 circulating there are 2, sometimes 3 depending on the load. The 4:1 nurse to patient ratio, however, is really adhered to. You don't get an 'oops' here's #5. Still seems to make a lot of the nurses happy. Depending on what you want to do and rather or not you need health benefits, you might consider per diem or float pool. You say when you work and you see a diverse area of the hospital so you have an idea of what areas interest you more.

Hope that helps,

Dede

d2p · Feb 1, 2004

P.S. The Tucson Heart Hospital has a Baylor program (see, I always thought it was 'bail-er' - like bailing you out...snicker). They aren't too bad to work for but be prepared to float. They are a privately owned hospital, though, and the pay is pretty decent.

Northwest is a really long haul from Sierra Vista, but an okay place to work, from what I understand.

The only other options here are the Carondelet hospitals, TMC, Kino (community hospital) and the VA. VA, of course, has great benefits if you care for it. The others are also good hospitals and depending on what you want to do may suit your needs. There is agency stuff to consider as well if you are interested in that and the pay is higher but usually without benefits...but if your DH is military you may not need them?

Pretty much any hospital you wanted to work at would be interested, I bet. Good luck to ya...

Dede

freedomrings · Feb 4, 2004

I'm completing my 2nd assignment in Tucson and almost everyone here is a traveler or seasonal. Since I am relatively new to traveling I went with a recruiter. Now that I know more, I'd suggest going seasonal (as few as 13 wks) at UMC.

I don't know your area of specialty, but the icu's at St. Joe's, St. Mary's and Holy Cross are very outdated and basically only take care of the elderly respiratory patients, if that's your gig. the core nursing staff are quite *****y as well! I love UMC - all charting is computerized, you can bring a pen to work if you want. It's basically a point and click system, easily learned in a couple hours. As a seasonal, your hourly rate will be $30, but you get $1500/month housing stipend and I got a HUGE HUGE completion bonus (twice as much as any other hospital in tucson).

You can live w/your husband in Sierra and collect the extra $1500.

Hey, now that I'm thinking about it, you should use me as a referral:chuckle

freedomrings · Feb 4, 2004

Me Again;

i work ICU and the ratio is NEVER more than 1:2 @ UMC, and that is rare. I've almost always had a 1:1. Not so w/ Carondelets, they will screw you coming and going. Even in the icu, they say the worst you can get is 1:4, but then attack the travelers by making you switch assignments throughout the course of your shift, i.e., transfer this one out, now take an admit, etc. I once had 7 pts in one night shift (St. Joe's - very typical abuse of travelers at this facility)

JMP · Feb 4, 2004

Freedomrings-

I read your post with great interest. My husband and I are thinking ( very seriously) of moving to AZ and I guess we have been quite focused on flagstaff but reading your posts regarding seasonal work in Tucson and the great housing benefits and hourly wage makes me think twice about flag-

When you are seasonal in Tucson- how long of a commitment is it? Four months and then what? Can you then extend?

I have alot of paperwork to do, and the NCLEX since I am Canadian. But I have three years ICU, CRNN, PALS, TNCC, ALCS and my BSN will be done in a few months.

I am over 40 so I have the good old "life expereince" and now DH and I are wanting more life experience, but need to consider all options....if your seasonal, what about benefits? For example health insurance?

Thanks for any info

JMP

freedomrings · Feb 4, 2004

Hi!

You have great credentials and could get a job anywhere here in Tucson. I was offered a job the same day I applied. The seasonal positions @ UMC run for 3, 6 or 9 months. I'm not sure about how seasonal extensions work, but have met an ICU nurse from New Zealand who has been here for 4 yrs. She works 9 mos, then takes a 3 month vacation. With your background and experience I wouldn't think it a problem.

My package came w/ full health benefits, including dental and is a PPO plan. I am single and don't know the extra cost of adding a spouse, but would think it surely would be off-set by the housing stipend.

You can get lovely housing; I have a 2BR/2BA right in the Catalina Mt. Foothills for $850/month. Many of the travelers live out here and I've met several married couples, so there is social life.

Tucson has all you could ask for in "nature", which I love, or more cultural events (theater, opera, symphony,etc.).

The only "nasty" thing I can say about Tucson is that people drive like maniacs! So bring an old car! (ha ha)

As you can see, I'm very positive about UMC here in Tucson. My reason for moving on is that I'm a "mature" nurse w/grown children, so now it's my turn to travel!

If you'd like, I can have the Nurse Recruiter @ UMC send you the packet of info they gave me. Think about it; I'd still like that referral!! :cool: