Thougts on Santa Clara Valley Med?

West_Coast_Ken, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2007

Hi everyone...
I'll soon be starting my preceptorship (final semester of RN program) at the ER at Valley Med. I was wondering if anyone had any insight about the hospital, any pointers...

Sadly, the best advise, especially at that hospital and the ER, is to learn Spanish (which by the way I REFUSE to do for several reasons).

Good luck.

norcalRNstudent · Mar 2, 2007

Well, luckily, I've been learning Spanish for years, speak it fairly well, and find it immensely helpful to my practice. I don't really see it as any different than learning any other skill; it makes me more of an asset to my employer, and more adept at my job. I'd be scared to death if I couldn't communicate with 40% of my patients.

West_Coast_Ken, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2007

well, luckily, i've been learning spanish for years, speak it fairly well, and find it immensely helpful to my practice. i don't really see it as any different than learning any other skill...

you're all set then. personally, i chose to develop skills that will benefit all of my pts and not a select few who have many opportunities to help themselves in that area. i didn't get into this field to teach english nor learn spanish. it's about medical skills to me.

tropicbound · Mar 9, 2007

I'm in my last semester as well and just started by second rotation in a VMC unit. Most of the nurses are teaching oriented, training seems to be OK, lots of opportunity for OT, good benefits, and as you can see by the job postings in HR, pretty good starting compensation. Most of the staff seem pretty happy there. The only place I've found staff that seems more satisfied is the VA in Palo Alto, although there's a different pay/benefit balance there.

caliotter3 · Mar 9, 2007

I've seen both sides of the stethoscope at VMC; the ER to be specific. Each circumstance has its own possibilities for good or bad consequences. I have to state from the standpoint of a pt, I will never willingly set foot in that place again.