[Kentucky Mike]

Does anyone have any feedback on what it's like to work for the VA Medical Center in Gainesville ?? I've applied for a few administrative jobs with them... I hear good and bad things about the VA hospitals elsewhere, some are great places to work others really awful work environments... I'm not looking for info on patient care, just info on how they treat their employees. Any thoughts you might have are appreciated.

[Keith-n-Jax]

I am here on contract seems ok, but everyone's situation will be different.

[lagoon7]

I had a friend who worked there, he does maintenance, but he seems to like it there.

[yamahastar]

I know people who work and volunteer at Gainesville VA and they love it there. They tell me what a great place it is, how they do so much for their patients, etc. My father is a VA patient and goes to clinics in Gainesville and Daytona and is very happy with his care. Good Luck!

[ZTeam]

I have applied for for an area wide engineering position with the Gainesville/Lake City/Orlando VA as well and would like some input on Kentucy Mike's question on how they treat their employees.

Also, as a couple in our 30's with three young children, where would you live if you worked at the Gainseville VA with an occasional commute to the Lake City and Orlando VAs? First concern is quality schools and a secure neighboorhood. After that looking for youth sports programs, proximity to nice YMCA or fitness center, proximity to a larger contemporary christian church, "family friendly" neighboors, and ideally close to a park/jogging trails/swimming pool. Budget range is $200k max for a house.

The Hidden Oak or William Talbot elementary, Fort Clarke middle, and Buchholz high school district in NW Gainesville looks like probably the best district. But most home prices are out of our range. Also considering Ocala as the homes there are about 1/2 price of Gainesville--but not sure about the school system. Possibly the Vanguard HS area? Would also consider the small towns in the area, but would like to be within a 10 or 15 minute drive to a fitness center, church, and youth sports/park/kids activities. Shopping, restuarants, and other entertainment is not a big deal--we can drive for that. Any ideas?

[Adrien Hamel]

I have contracted wth the V/A in Gainsville, as places to work go on a scale of 1 - 10, I would give it a 3+. I'm used to working in the private sector, that may be why I don't think much of it. It's the government with most of their thorns.

[ZTeam]

Yeah, I've worked for the government (Air Force) for 6 years now so I'm used to the government "red tape". Some of the things that bother me most are having what seems like a hundred people review my work before it can be sent out. And 99 of those people don't have a clue what they're reviewing--most of the comments are "your left margin should be 1.2 inches instead of 1.1". We also get a ton of unfunded mandates, meaning, "You are required to {build/repair/replace/upgrade} this {facility/runway/equipment}...but we're not giving you any money to do it".

[ZTeam]

As for where to live: I'm still thinking the Hidden Oak elementary, Fort Clarke middle, and Buchholz high school district in NW Gainesville. Basically the area between Newberry Rd, I-75, NW 39th Ave, and NW 143rd St.

Of course I haven't actually seen any of these places yet so my opinion may change after we get there.

[flanative57]

I receive `care` at this hospital (VA) every two weeks, They {Everybody} are fantastic here in Gainesville.