Anyone ever travel to an Indian reservation?

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I'm looking for travelers who have had an assignment on an Indian reservation. I'm also looking for travelers who have been on assignment to Arizona. I am debating about accepting an assignment in these areas. I primarily work Postpartum.

Thanks in advance.

I worked as a traveler at Gallup Indian Medical Center in their OB/GYN Outpatient clinic in Gallup, New Mexico and loved every minute of it. Most of the nurses who work there are travelers from many agencies. I worked for Medical Express at the time. Be sure to check out the housing though because they couldn't find me a decent apartment and I ended up stayin in a rinky dink motel even though they had decent housing and a couple of nice hotels.

omigoodness! I just finished my first travel assignment at the University of Utah Medical Center. I LOVED IT. Everyone -terribly nice. Did I meet you here? So Gallup, NM. I do MS. Think I would like it? Mind telling me your agency? Just want to make sure I can make contact. Right now I am with an agency that doesn't have too many. Don't ask me how I went with them. Niceness wins me over anytime. (Got paid NOTHING in SLC.)

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omigoodness! I just finished my first travel assignment at the University of Utah Medical Center. I LOVED IT. Everyone -terribly nice. Did I meet you here? So Gallup, NM. I do MS. Think I would like it? Mind telling me your agency? Just want to make sure I can make contact. Right now I am with an agency that doesn't have too many. Don't ask me how I went with them. Niceness wins me over anytime. (Got paid NOTHING in SLC.)

ooops. sorry, you already mentioned it. Who are you with now?

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I am looking to converse with anyone who has actually applied or participated in the Loan Repayment Program through IHS. My family is looking towards missions work which we can't do with a pile of student debt hanging over us. I thought perhaps IHS LRP program would solve the debt problem and also serve as a nice transition into cross cultural work in underserved areas. The hitch is that I really want to have a good grasp on the process and get some inside scoop on how it really works before before laying out 40k for the education. If it isn't the answer, then we may have to pursue another route to the goal :)

Any info would be appreciated and certainly, feel free to PM me if you are willing to talk.

Thanks!

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

I have lots of questions regarding traveling vs IHS employee status, as I am considering it. However, I have an older husband with health problems and need to consider his welfare, ability to get his healthcare, etc.

For those of you who have gone to an IHS facility in either capacity:

1) I am curious about housing being provided. Is it better being a traveler with that housing vs an IHS employee and utilizing their housing?? Is IHS housing basically trailers? for those of you that have been to Ft. Defiance, what type of housing is provided?

2) Poor staffing ratios was mentioned. Can you elaborate? Was it on certain units? Were you required to float? Often?

3) Any problems interacting between perm employees and travelers?

Any info that you can provide would be appreciated. I am trying to make a decision between traveling and perm. This would be my first assignment if I go with traveling. I have spoken with CC, but don't know if this is a good idea with an elderly.

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I have lots of questions regarding traveling vs IHS employee status, as I am considering it. However, I have an older husband with health problems and need to consider his welfare, ability to get his healthcare, etc. ...

If you are travelling with an ill older person to the reservation, you need to check out the health care facilities in the area. You all will not be elgible for care at an IHS or tribal hospital unless you are a Public Health Corps Commissioned Officer or are a registered tribe member (any tribe) and are thus elgible for IHS services. You may have to drive for several hours to get him to where he can be cared for. There are not other amenities in the remote areas, either, such as elder care and such, if you have used these services for him previously. Why are you wanting to travel with an old, sick husband? Won't this be hard on him?

Staffing levels are pretty minimal at IHS hospitals, although it also probably depends on the manager and the individual unit and hospital. I would check it out carefully and talk with other travelers at the facility you're interested in, if at all possible. IHS facilities are government hospitals with all the issues with a governmental facility. You can have old-timers who are burnt out and do minimal work, waiting for retirement, and dump all the work on the traveler. There doesn't seem to be any concern for customer service at all. The locals have told me the nurses are mean and people really don't like going there unless they have to. There can be some racism in both directions. However my experience is limited and each unit and facility can be different. I have heard that the tribal hospitals are better funded and better to work at than the IHS.

That said, the patients are great and the culture is fascinating and the country is just beautiful. Pts really appreciate a traveller showing kindness and consideration, just like we do in any private non-governmental facility.

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

Thanks for your response.

Both my husband and I have been considering this for several years. Now that he is aged, he wants to go. He wants to experience it. He was AF and we traveled all the time. I believe he misses it.

As for me, I am a unregistered native american (culturally affiliated with a non federal nation) and desire to be closer to the people that I share bloodlines with.

I, do, however, want to be in a relatively safe area, so anything remote would be out of the question. I am now looking at Oklahoma or Gallup and considerng several options.

Thanks again for your reply and honesty.

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I suspect the issues surrounding staffing and other issues are common to any hospital in remote or rural areas, and also from just being a governmental facility. Each one is different, however. Good luck with your endeavor. I'm sure you'll find a good placement with acceptable housing and health care available for your husband. It must be frustrating to him to be ill, having been a hale and hearty Air Force person much of his life.

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Specializes in ICU/ER/TRANSPORT.

Had a recruiter almost talk me into going to Ft. Defiance Az. a few years ago. Of course being a novice to the traveler thing I chickend out. But a traveler friend of mine told me I should've went, he said it sounded like they gave me a decent deal, around $48/hr 40hr/wk with overtime available. I don't know maybe I should've gone.....

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Specializes in OB.
Thanks for your response.

Both my husband and I have been considering this for several years. Now that he is aged, he wants to go. He wants to experience it. He was AF and we traveled all the time. I believe he misses it.

As for me, I am a unregistered native american (culturally affiliated with a non federal nation) and desire to be closer to the people that I share bloodlines with.

I, do, however, want to be in a relatively safe area, so anything remote would be out of the question. I am now looking at Oklahoma or Gallup and considerng several options.

Thanks again for your reply and honesty.

Hi - I worked with the IHS for 9 yrs. before becoming a traveler. I wanted to suggest that if you are considering the Navajo Res., then either Gallup or Shiprock might be good options because they are at the edge of the reservation and therefore easier to access medical care for your husband if needed. Gallup has the non IHS hospital - Rehobeth, and both Farmington, NM and Cortez, CO have medical facilities (docs, clinics and hospitals) within 30-45 miles of Shiprock.

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

I am still trying to decide about working at a Indian res. I am 54 and travel nursing would be my first assignment. I, naturally, want to choose a company and site that would be appropriate. My husband is 70 and is so very excitied at the thought of traveling again. Throughout his military career, we moved frequently, and we both miss that. I want to make the best choice and serves us both well.

I have re-read most of the posts here, but am I correct in thinking that I should sign up with at least 2-3 agencies? Is there a post on here that gives me an idea of what questions to ask? I looked around and didn't see it. Anyone know where I might find it?

Also, my experience is nursing house supervisor, PACU, intensive telemetry (some call it CVSU) and good ol' M/S. Has anyone ever seen a position for house supervisor?

Any pointers anyone would care to give me regarding sites, agencies, and specialties would be most appreciated. [/i]

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

thanks all for your response. certainly alot to consider...am also toying with the idea as a first time traveler...

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Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

I am curious about the pt/nurse ratio....what type of patients? from what i have read, most indian facilities are not trauma oriented...so i imagine most are the more minor stuff: mgmt of dm, hips, copd, etc. is that right?

generally, is there acceptance of travelers at the facilities? do you float more? are there any more benefits when you live on the rez vs outside in town?

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