Not entirely true. While many of the primary care doctors at the outpatient clinics are new or transient , in my experience the specialists at the main hospital are for the most part not. They don't do much more than the routine stuff and refer you to specialists and order procedures anyway. In 12 years I've had 5 different primaries, 4 were outstanding, one was a tool. That one lasted a year. VA San Diego has a partnership with UCSD Hospital so you may be treated by what they call "Fellows" under a resident's supervision but its the patients option. As far as the RN's go it is very tough to get into the VA in that position, especially in places like San Diego where folks seem to want to live. They like to promote from within so they know what they're getting. Everyone's experiences are different and one bad experience can certainly be the one that has the lasting effect.
