bigbearnurse MSN, RN

bigbearnurse has 11 years experience as a MSN, RN and specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac.

Latest Activity

1. PMHNP Program, expected salary & job options

   bigbearnurse replied to JerseyGirl201's topic in NP Students

   It's absolutely WILD that Vanderbilt being so highly ranked would consider someone with zero experience. But go for it!

2. Atlanta vs Dallas opportunities

   bigbearnurse replied to bigbearnurse's topic in Career Support

   Thank you for responding. This info has been really helpful. I'm generally looking for a place where I don't have to work so much PRN in addition to my full time job. I'm getting burned out. Do you remember what the weekend and/or night differential ...

3. Atlanta vs Dallas opportunities

   bigbearnurse replied to bigbearnurse's topic in Career Support

   Thanks for your reply. Can you say more about why you wouldn't recommend Piedmont. Just curious about the pros and cons.

4. Atlanta vs Dallas opportunities

   bigbearnurse replied to bigbearnurse's topic in Career Support

   Thanks for your input on the cost of living/housing in the market. Nowhere is safe lol. Which do you think is a better hospital to work for, Piedmont ATL or Emory?

5. Atlanta vs Dallas opportunities

   bigbearnurse replied to bigbearnurse's topic in Career Support

   Thanks for the insight. I don't know if I could swing low 30s with big D cost of living - I live in Mississippi and make base $30. Any thoughts on Houston? I hear it may be marginally cheaper. I'm single, so buying a home and swallowing all those pr...

6. Atlanta vs Dallas opportunities

   bigbearnurse posted a topic in Career Support

   Cardiac RN here with 6 years experience considering relocation for a staff position in Atlanta or Dallas. Still in very early planning stages, but I have researched Emory in Atlanta or UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Does anyone have perso...

7. Chicago traveler pay?

   bigbearnurse replied to bigbearnurse's topic in Travel

   - Other agencies are unable to give me a quote at this time; they don't have openings in Chicago at the moment. - My company does not offer completion bonuses - nor am I interested in them d/t the higher tax rate. - More stipends are only advantageo...

8. Chicago traveler pay?

   bigbearnurse posted a topic in Travel

   My recruiter quoted me $20/hr at a large teaching hospital in downtown Chicago! I'm being lowballed right? Wondering what others' experiences have been in the area and if this is a fair hourly rate. Housing stipend 2250 monthly, meals/incidentals 390...

9. Aya health care/travel agency

   bigbearnurse replied to crb613's topic in Travel

   My friend is doing a L&D rotation with them in the DC area and is getting a $4000 completion bonus (after taxes). She says they are a big company, and are generally ok. I looked at them initially but the recruiter I was speaking with sounded down...

10. Questions about maxing out Per Diem

    bigbearnurse replied to melosa08's topic in Travel

    What agency is this? If you don't take it, I will!

11. Different cities, different atmospheres.

    bigbearnurse replied to CardiacDork's topic in Travel

    It depends on where you work in the areas you mentioned. You will be driving a lot in DC (even if you live and work in the District, if you want to get anywhere on time). The traffic is freakishly bad. I commute from Arlington to Fairfax. The traffic...

12. Chicagoland? Compensation?

    bigbearnurse posted a topic in Travel

    Hey travel nurses, Thinking of doing a stint in Chicago. What is a competitive hourly rate for a traveler in the Chicago area? What about a staff nurse? What hospitals are decent work environments, and which ones should I avoid? I have 3 years' exp...

13. New Boston Travel

    bigbearnurse replied to Bexlea9's topic in Travel

    I just completed my first 3-month assignment outside Philadelphia and loved it! Before starting I would talk to ppl about their agency, check out "Highway Hypodermics" and learn as much as you can. From my research and talking with ppl, a lot of ag...

14. Going back to school at 30 to become a RN -- need advice!

    bigbearnurse replied to Jaimer1's topic in General Nursing

    Before launching into nursing school, I would go work as a CNA (some hospitals call them PCAs or nursing aides) in a hospital. That will teach you more of what nursing is like in a hospital setting; you'll see if the profession is for you; you may ev...

15. Tucson, AZ assignment

    bigbearnurse replied to ERpinup's topic in Travel

    Hey, traveler here, considering going to Tucson. Any experience/knowledge of any of the hospitals there? I'm looking for decent ratios (no more than 1:5), and positive work environment. How is nursing pay, considering cost of living? Any info much ap...