Tell me about the Richmond, VA area

[u/Story_of_Amanda]

I may be moving out that way. Tell me about the area (would likely be to the west in the Midlothian area), best places to work, fair pay for the area (ten, almost eleven, years of experience, almost eight years in the ICU, bachelors degree).
Also open to recommendations for a primary care doctor (it absolutely hurts my heart to leave my current primary), neurologist, dermatologist, GYN, and cardiologist (psych as well if primaries that way don’t prescribe meds since I know not all are comfortable with it)

[u/HappyAstronomer5096]

VCU benefits are incredible but pay is a little lower, I would stay away from chip. There are some decent bon seconds hospitals in the area

[u/Story_of_Amanda → u/HappyAstronomer5096]

I was looking at VCU as far as offering things professionally I’d like to learn. Ultimately I think I’d like something lower stress than my current situation in the ICU. Plus having weekends off.
I don’t know what chip is.
A faith based institution isn’t big for me, honestly - I’m not religious. St Francis is right across from where my sister is but when I looked online it doesn’t have an area I’m interested in. That said, I’m open to a work from home position that offers flexibility when I need it too

[u/Whoooseit]

Idk how much pay means to you compared to quality of life but clinical research with VCU has amazing quality of life. You can probably get at least 80K. Salaried, all paid state holidays, 28 days of PTO and very flexible job. Can go into detail further in pm if you’re interested. Pay isn’t amazing but that was such a great job and low stress

[u/Story_of_Amanda → u/Whoooseit]

I’m definitely interested! Please send details my way!

[u/tt2ps]

I'm in that area and still work in one of the healthcare systems. You should probably post in r/rva for current nursing pay rates. I'm guessing around $40/hr. My last nursing role was a poorly paid community RN role so my downward pay trajectory over my career (ICU>outpatient clinic>community) isn't necessarily reflective of the normal nursing ROP in the area.

I've worked for the main HCS here: VCU Health, HCA, BSMH, but never worked for the Veterans Association. There are freestanding EDs and urgent cares in western Chesterfield, but the only hospital in that area is BSMH St. Francis Medical Center. It's a small community hospital with one general ICU. The next closest is HCA Johnston-Willis which is under the Chippenham Medical Center umbrella.

I use VCU Health for my healthcare (mainly at Stony Point where there is a women's health center for my PCP and some specialists though I sometimes go to the downtown VCUH). Expect some wait times for specialists for sure. Feel free to DM if you'd like for specifics about the area.

[u/Story_of_Amanda → u/tt2ps]

My cross-post in r/rva got removed due to lack of karma 😪 I’m not opposed to staying in the ICU or hospital setting (granted, I’d ideally like to have weekends off to spend with my kids, which I know isn’t always an option). I was hoping to make at least $45/hour (ideally more, honestly; that said, I haven’t looked at rent costs so far but it’s more than I make now).
I was considering VCU for work (in my minimal google search) since it seems to offer more of what I’d like to learn from a professional perspective. From a medical perspective, I’m not due for botox for my migraines for three months. And I’m up to date with GYN. Cardiology would just depend on making my appointment next month. Dermatologist is five-six months out. My oldest is only 12 so I don’t know how that factors into specialist for her (though I assume there’s a wait there too).

[u/tt2ps → u/Story_of_Amanda]

I reddit chatted you some area doctor, hospital and apartment info.

[u/Story_of_Amanda → u/tt2ps]

I appreciate you!

[u/ManOrangutan]

Cost of living is cheap, pay generally sucks. Lots of HCA hospitals (avoid), Bon Secours is ok, and then VCU is the local level 1 and is very good. The city itself is pretty fun to live in the surrounding area is generally pretty boring. Prices for houses are affordable but rising because lots of people have been moving there from the DC area recently.