VA Medical Center in Gainesville

eesmith3 · Feb 22, 2009

I worked at the VA while in school as a student nurse tech. I really enjoyed it. It was a great institution and I really learned alot. I worked at the one in tampa which is a teaching hospital. I was offered a job in their GN program but at the last minute I took a job somewhere else. Not because it was abad place to work but just bc i wanted some new experiences. The GN program in Tampa was a year long. For the first 12 weeks you rotated on the diff floors and then you picked ure top three choices and they tried to place you on one. Then for the remiander of the year long rotation you worked on that floor. I am not sure if you were with a preceptor that whole time or if they just offered you support, I never really got an answer to that question. They offered a bunch of diff rounds as well with wound care and resp, things like that so you could get a feel for everything.

knewb · Feb 22, 2009

That sounds like the description of the residency in Gainesville. I've heard the

V A in Tampa is excellent; I hope Gainesville is comparable. I haven't heard anything about the VA in Gainesville.... Thanks for your reply!:nuke:

HM2VikingRN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

The new grad residency is a very good program. I came in under the BSN preceptor program and felt very supported during my transition from student to practitioner.

I think that the VA's residency program would be a good choice for you. (I like the VA and it is a good place to work. All evidence based and it is nice to be in a teaching hospital environment.)

knewb · Feb 22, 2009

Thanks! I will be interviewing next week. I will keep my fingers crossed! It sounds like they really want to take the time to train new nurses well. I've heard a few new grads with less than optimal orientation/ training and it sounds pretty scary to me! :crying2: