Cruise Nurse Great job

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2010

According to what I see online, you are at sea for like 6 months at a time and make 2000 to 2900 a month. I suppose thats gravy if you dont have any ties to land, cause you are getting room and board for free. Ivanna

mamamerlee, LPN · Apr 21, 2010

My dad got sick on a cruise ship, and they had him removed in Colombia, SOUTH AMERICA, to a hospital there. Talk about culture shock! My mother, who hadn't gotten her hands dirty in YEARS, had no idea that she was supposed to do most of his care! And provide food, and soap, towels, etc.

And, no, it's not true that someone dies on every cruise - what a myth!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Apr 21, 2010

Yeah I looked into cruise ship nursing. They want ED experience so it looks like it would be a while before I go that route. And yest I've heard you get Peanuts for pay LOL

skittles08 · Apr 21, 2010

I've been on quite a few cruises, and we usually have about 15 family members with us at a time, and my family has had to go to the medical ward for alot of different things - allergic reactions, wounds, sea sickness, food poisoning, severe sunburns. It's made for some pretty interesting experiences. My cousin caught some sort of a virus and they quarantined him to his stateroom and deactivated his SeaPass card for the day. They also sent him a dinner of only what the Dr. said he could have for that day.

I have heard the rumor about people dying on every cruise, and I saw on TV that they have a morgue on every ship too. I've never seen it or heard anyone talk about it on any cruises I've actually been on though.

skylark, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2011

I just accepted a job on a cruise ship, it seems from the comments above that it varies from company to company.

What they all seem to have in common is -

Yes, they run as a mini ER, with anywhere from 1-3 docs and 1-6 nurses, depending on the size of the ship.

Yes, they deal with all emergencies, (cardiacs are thrombolysed, there is no facility for other interventions), but there is no surgery, that requires a quick exit, either via helicopter or to the nearest port.

Yes, people die out there, But for many its their choice. I had not heard of this before, but for elderly who live alone, they want to end their days being looked after, rather than die alone and maybe not even be found for days, they cruise with the intention of dying at sea. There is morgue in each ship.

Yes, they require 3 years ER and also ACLS.

Yes, you are on call 24/7 although your working day can be as short as 4 hours. With only a small team, the solo duty nurse often need assistance, even if just for a few minutes to turn a patient or check some IVs.

But your cabin is just a few yards from the med center, so you go turn the patient, check their pressure areas and dish out the meds then stand down again . . .

The money must vary by company, as what I have been quoted is far better than the figure I find here. Basic is $3000 per month, and there is also commission, based on the number of patients you treat, which earns you anything from $500 to $1200 a month on top of basic. And its all tax free as its offshore.

Accomodation, meals and laundry are all included in the package. You have to pay your own living costs when on leave, which is typically around 16 weeks a year.

I wanted to do this years ago but family committments meant it could not work. Now as an empty nester, I decided to go for it, otherwise I will always say "If only...."

I set sail in January . . . . :anpom:

errn1958 · Jan 10, 2012

Hello,

I am a part time cruise ship nurse. I work full time at home and take vacation to work on the ship. It is hard work but definately fun with a much more relaxed atmosphere. The full time nurses work 3-6 months at a time. There is down time every day and usually I have been able to go to port when docked. Yes, patients do get critically ill, we disembark them as soon as we are at a port and can make arrangements for their care. It is quite involved. (always carry travel insurance when you go out of the country!) My next cruise will be italy in a few months.

Godisthere · Jan 10, 2012

LOL, SIGN ME UP!!!! John 3:16

Godisthere · Jan 10, 2012

so what kind of degree do u need? is it in general practice??? John 3:16

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2012

I tinkered with the idea at one point. 24/7 call was an immediate dealbreaker. No thanks.

nkochrn, RN · Jan 10, 2012

I just accepted a job on a cruise ship, it seems from the comments above that it varies from company to company.
What they all seem to have in common is -
Yes, they run as a mini ER, with anywhere from 1-3 docs and 1-6 nurses, depending on the size of the ship.
Yes, they deal with all emergencies, (cardiacs are thrombolysed, there is no facility for other interventions), but there is no surgery, that requires a quick exit, either via helicopter or to the nearest port.
Yes, people die out there, But for many its their choice. I had not heard of this before, but for elderly who live alone, they want to end their days being looked after, rather than die alone and maybe not even be found for days, they cruise with the intention of dying at sea. There is morgue in each ship.
Yes, they require 3 years ER and also ACLS.
Yes, you are on call 24/7 although your working day can be as short as 4 hours. With only a small team, the solo duty nurse often need assistance, even if just for a few minutes to turn a patient or check some IVs.
But your cabin is just a few yards from the med center, so you go turn the patient, check their pressure areas and dish out the meds then stand down again . . .
The money must vary by company, as what I have been quoted is far better than the figure I find here. Basic is $3000 per month, and there is also commission, based on the number of patients you treat, which earns you anything from $500 to $1200 a month on top of basic. And its all tax free as its offshore.
Accomodation, meals and laundry are all included in the package. You have to pay your own living costs when on leave, which is typically around 16 weeks a year.
I wanted to do this years ago but family committments meant it could not work. Now as an empty nester, I decided to go for it, otherwise I will always say "If only...."
I set sail in January . . . . :anpom:

Super Excited for you Skylark! I think I'd love to do this someday! Someday when I'm an empty nester, soooo I've got 15 1/2 years to go, but I'm guessing that numbers gonna change in the next year, so I'll say 20 :) Just Curious, Is there a preference for a BSN or higher degree???

elprup, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2012

I just accepted a job on a cruise ship, it seems from the comments above that it varies from company to company.What they all seem to have in common is - Yes, they run as a mini ER, with anywhere from 1-3 docs and 1-6 nurses, depending on the size of the ship.Yes, they deal with all emergencies, (cardiacs are thrombolysed, there is no facility for other interventions), but there is no surgery, that requires a quick exit, either via helicopter or to the nearest port.Yes, people die out there, But for many its their choice. I had not heard of this before, but for elderly who live alone, they want to end their days being looked after, rather than die alone and maybe not even be found for days, they cruise with the intention of dying at sea. There is morgue in each ship.Yes, they require 3 years ER and also ACLS.Yes, you are on call 24/7 although your working day can be as short as 4 hours. With only a small team, the solo duty nurse often need assistance, even if just for a few minutes to turn a patient or check some IVs.But your cabin is just a few yards from the med center, so you go turn the patient, check their pressure areas and dish out the meds then stand down again . . . The money must vary by company, as what I have been quoted is far better than the figure I find here. Basic is $3000 per month, and there is also commission, based on the number of patients you treat, which earns you anything from $500 to $1200 a month on top of basic. And its all tax free as its offshore.Accomodation, meals and laundry are all included in the package. You have to pay your own living costs when on leave, which is typically around 16 weeks a year.I wanted to do this years ago but family committments meant it could not work. Now as an empty nester, I decided to go for it, otherwise I will always say "If only...."I set sail in January . . . . :anpom:

. Wooohooo! Congrats and keep in touch. I am so going to do this when teenagers out of house.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2012

For basically being on call, the pay isn't that great, IMO. Obviously, to each his own, but I make on average 4500 a month. I had a friend who worked housekeeping management on one of the ships. Three months into her contract, she hated it. After her stories, I re-evaluated my views about cruise ships.