Marion Va Hospital (home, employment, salary)

[Boog]

Wife (BSRN) and I are considering relocating to the Marion area... she has a interview in a couple of weeks with the Va hospital there... I guess my real question is ... does anyone have any insight as to the hospital? either as a nurse working there or as a patient.. we have heard that there may be some problems there... seems to be alot of open positions there... maybe thats the reason..... ????? any input positive or negative would be helpful... thanks for your help

[Julian B]

No, there was a huge shakeup over the surgical department there after a few patients died...

I worked as an IT intern just around a year and a half ago and it was a very laid back atmosphere (for a hospital, any way). My dad has worked there for 10 years, and still does, and likes it very much. He works in therapy.

[Boog]

thanks Julian B.. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience... we are really looking forward to checking out the area.... take care

[computerguysd]

A lot of VA hospitals are hiring more RNs and social workers. A lot of it is driven by the increasing number of returning veterans.

I suspect you'll find the cost of living there to be fairly low and the wages at the VA to be some of the best in the area.

[Julian B]

^ Absolutely right. The pay at the VA is probably the best in southern Illinois, and the cost of living is quite low in SI.

[Boog]

ok... then the question that begs to be ask..... "why so many open positions there for nurses" ????? ...... ppl dont what to live in S. Illinois ???? not trying to start a firestorm.... just asking out of ignorance ... thanks

[computerguysd]

The VA, pretty well nationwide, is hiring more RNs and social workers. Returning Vet programs (OIF/OEF), program managers, case managers and home health care for example. I'm not positive but I think some of the positions that are opening now are through national allocations specifically for the OIF/OEF veterans.

[BLS2753]

Federal jobs are the way to go in this region. If you can get one. Medical field shouldn't be a problem.

Fed jobs have a national standardized pay scale. Cost of living consistantly lags behind the national CPI. Even Postal Workers live an upper middle class lifestyle here.

CPI lag works in favor of fed/military pensions and Social Security recipiants too.

It is difficult to find private employment that pays much more than $30K a year here. Probably more for a BSN, though.

[computerguysd]

Here's a nifty link to median salaries in the VA. Seniority adds to the paycheck but the median salary for an RN in the VA (nationwide) is just a bit under $58K annually.

Another real benefit for nurses at the VAs is they don't get shifts canceled because of a "low patient census" in their area. They just get moved to a different ward to work their shift when that happens.
PayScale - Veterans Affairs Hospital Salary, Average Salaries by Job

[dawntaylor]

Boog- I am a new RN and also looking for a position at the VA. The pay is much better than the other hospitals in the area. The benefits are amazing! Nurses have a high turn over rate and every agency, hospital, nursing home, etc is always hiring. Which position is she applying for? My clinical instructors were NP and PhDs from the VA; my opinion is that it is a leading hospital in the area. Good Luck!

dawntaylor@mail.com