Pediatric Travelers out there???

stayseerrn · Sep 6, 2008

Hello! Fellow Southerner & Pedi nurse here! I know that heading to the "Land of Granola" i.e., California, doesn't sound like much of an appealing idea, but I have actually enjoyed it out here.

San Diego has Rady Children's Hospital, and it is a very nice facility. I enjoyed my time there. I understand wanting some nice scenery to enjoy. On that scale, you have to decide what you describe as beautiful scenery. In San Diego, the surrounding canyons are dry and scrubby, but the ocean scenes are nothing short of spectacular. If you go up to La Jolla (a nice city just 2 seconds above San Diego), the rugged cliffs which lead down to the pristine water provide some amazing photographs, especially with the sun setting.

Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, has Lucille Packard in Palo Alto. The pay isn't the most outstanding, but the hospital is fantastic in reputation and technology. Once travelers get there, they hardly ever leave because they like it so much. Northern California has all kinds of fantastic views. You have the giant Redwoods, Wine Country, the ocean, the San Francisco Bay as the fog rolls in, and not to mention all the interesting shots you can get in the city of San Francisco. Plus, there are a ton of state parks here on the Peninsula and the surrounding Bay Area. Therefore you have all kinds of hiking, biking, and nature trails full of lush green landscape. In fact, I went bike riding yesterday on Sawyer Camp trail and saw two doe run across the path. Not to mention it runs along the county's water reservoir, so everything is kept in pristine condition.

You had mentioned Oregon, so I am throwing in this option. Don't foget Seattle. I know what you are thinking - it rains all the time. First of all, it really isn't quite that bad. It does have several dreary days which are overcast, but it makes the sunny skies that much more beautiful. When it does rain, it is a light, soft drizzling - type rain. In the West, they don't have the heavy hail storm, complete with thundering and lightning that we are used to in the South (in fact, I actually miss those). You can't beat Seattle for it's secenery, even in the middle of the city. Seattle is surrounded by water and lakes. Plus it sits in a basin surrounded by the Olympic mountains and Mt Rainier, which seem to have snow topping them 365 days a year. The entire area is so green with tons of trees, hills, and cliffs. The beaches there are different in that they are more pebbles than sand beaches. You see all kinds of driftwood washed ashore which can serve as all kinds of unique angles for shots. The city and its landmarks are quite interesting. There is more than just the Space Needle. Just google Pioneer Square. It is an interesting combination of Early 20th century architecture as well as Native American and Alaskan structures. Okay, enough about the scenery. Great hospital to work at: Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. I loved every minute of my assignment there. The people were so nice and wonderful to travelers. Plus I had such amazing cases and patients to care for. Don't miss out on the opportunity to go there. Don't let the stories scare you away. Seattle is one of the best kept travel secrets out there!

I am from Tennesse, so I understand the desire to be surrounded by all of the natural beauty of rolling hills, season changes, and great sunrises. However, I am glad I took the plunge and headed out here. And my pictures have been absolutely unforgettable. I can't tell you how many of my friends have said, "I never knew there was more to the West than the beach." Occasionally it can be hard finding pedi travel jobs, so it is good that you have some adult experience as well. Just remember that sometimes you have to take an adult assignment (which I don't really like as well as pedi) in order to be where you want. You can do that while you wait on a pedi assignment to open up.

Good luck with your travels!

NurseDianne, ADN · Sep 8, 2008

HI

Also a fellow Southern gal......GO DAWGS!!

I work Peds, my favorite. Our first assignment was in Baltimore Maryland. It was a good assignment in a teaching hospital.

Unfortunately during the summer I was hard pressed to find a Peds position. So here I am, almost completed this assignment, in S.D. working with the "whiners", girl I feel your PAIN!!

Seems like most of the Peds are in Cali, NM, NY or D.C.

Unfortunately we need to head south for family matters and I'm not sure I will get a Peds position. Although Ft. Lauderdale FL is looking good.

Spendercash · Sep 8, 2008

Hi Dianne,

I don't no how far south you are trying to get to but, there are a couple of companies here AL that you may want to check with for an assignment in the south. They are smaller companies but may be able to get you where you want to be for now. If you want to email directly for more info feel free!! I look forward to reading your post us Peds nurses seem to be few and far between.

SherriPenRN