Springfield/Branson area

[rachelgp]

Hi!

My husband and I are considering moving to the Branson/Springfield area and I was wondering if anyone works in that area? Any hospitals you would recommend (ER)? Thanks for the help!

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

The main facilities are Skaggs in Branson and Cox and St. John's in Springfield for ED. There are some smaller facilities in the area with EDs if that is what you enjoy. Depending on where you live would determine the drive.

As far as recommendations........It really depends on whether or not you want to see a million patients a year or just a thousand. St John's is a level 1 trauma center, and Cox is just as busy.

Skaggs is going thru growing pains and new management right now along with a lot of new doctors. I've heard mixed results though. Some like the change, others seem to hate it. You'll find that anywhere though. Skaggs appears from the outside to look nice though........I know they can be VERY busy there though depending on the season.

As far as pay and benefits, I would check with HR. It's been my experience that SW MO is one of the lowest paying places in the country for RN's. If you are not dead set of the Springfield/Branson area, you might want to check NW AR as they pay seems to be higher there for RN's and the demand is incredible there as well.

[rachelgp]

Thanks! I appreciate your input.

Rachel

[onthecoast2002]

Pay is much better in Springfield.

Skaggs in Branson is much smaller hospital but has that small town family feel, despite busting at the seems during the peaks of tourist seasons. The staff in the ER are friendly the Doc's are fast but attentive. There are some management issues but then again there are problems in every hospital.

Cox is a great hospital. Nurses I know seem very satisfied there. There is alot to do in Springfield and you can always drive down to Branson.:welcome:

[JaimeeG]

The pay in Springfield is not necessarily better than Branson. I actually made more at Skaggs in Branson than at St. John's in Springfield.

If you are relocating here from out of the area, be prepared for a huge drop in pay. It is insulting what they pay nurses in this area. We moved here from California 1-1/2 years ago but almost changed our minds when we found out what the pay was like. Granted, I came from one of the highest paying states, but there is just no justification for the low wages in SW MO. Natives of the area try to argue the "cost of living" issue, but that is pretty much a mute point now. The cost of living is only different in property values now, with most everything else being fairly comparable to what we paid in California.

I would take a long look at the area and what is available for jobs before you decide to move. I am now in an FNP program and will most likely leave the area when I am done with school. There doesn't seem to be any motivation to change here, and I would really like to make more than $24-$30/hr as an FNP!

With all the negatives, I have mentioned, I guess I should throw in a positive or two! The area is beautiful, and there is a lot to do here. You are only a days' drive from Nashville, parts of Kentucky, etc. There are many fun fall festivals, and the holiday season brings some really pretty decorations in Branson.

Jaimee