Anyone travel to Arizona???

cookielady,rn · Jul 17, 2006

I'm not a traveler, but I've worked in Tucson and Phoenix. Stay away from TMC in Tucson and County in Phoenix. Most travelers that live at my apartment complex love John C Lincoln according to the office staff. I worked 3 months at Banner Good Sam and left only because I didn't feel management cared about my training. Most people love St Mary's in Tucson, haven't heard anything bad about Northwest there either. Good luck!

jde8767 · Jul 21, 2006

Was in Phoenix last summer. YES summer, that was my biggest mistake. People said "Oh, but its a dry heat." DON'T BELIEVE THEM. It was CrAzY hot!! I want to go back in the winter and spring.

I worked at John C Lincoln- North Mountain on 6east! I was treated like gold! Very traveler friendly! 1:4-5 pts on tele with techs. Loved the job! Pay was 30/hr. I was housed at Mirador, it was very nice, situated on a golf course.

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 21, 2006

I am thinking about traveling to Arizona. Any info on payrates, benefits, hospitals, living situations, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Any agency info would be helpful also.
Thanks!!!!
jd

Are you only looking at Phoenix area or are you open to smaller towns and different areas of AZ?

I've done multiple contracts in AZ and found Flagstaff and Show Low, AZ to be really good assignments. Flagstaff is a medium sized hopsital, Show Low somewhat smaller. Both of these are in the mountains, so pleasant summer weather, potential for serious snow in the winter (could be a plus if you ski)

Chinle, AZ is on the Navajo reservation - very isolated, but a different experience if that interests you.

BGgirl · Jul 27, 2006

What's wrong with TMC? I have a friend thinking of taking a job there as a traveler?

GoingHome · Jul 28, 2006

I've been to Tucson, worked ICU and loved it. I am with Access and worked at PHC @ Kino. The staff went out of there way to welcome travelers and kept you in their loop of events. You were treated equal to staff ie.. made your own schedule, took turns floating and being downstaffed! My best friend worked @ St. Mary's Med-surg and loved it. My entire experience with Tucson was very good. There's nothing like the sunsets. TMC - well, the locals say things are bad there too. This is only in reference to ICU - but they hired the new graduate nurses- offer good pay and hours, but don't make any incentives to retain the experienced nurses, who were frustrated about making less, worked less pallative hours, and having more knowledge under their belt. Unfortunately, TMC is now at the point where they are starting to pay the price for their actions. Too bad, because they have wonderful docs and equipment (saved my sister's life). A big portion of your experience is what you make out it, too.

mickeyrn75 · Jul 31, 2006

hi! im leaving new england to go start an assignment at banner dessert in mesa. ive heard nice things about the area but not to much specifically about the place accept that people who travel with my company..cross country..have extended their contracts for an additional 26 weeks..so i hope that it is an travel friendly as it appears....but as travel nurses..we know that there are always some surprises in store..so if anyone has any info..please send my way or any advise at all about arizona..my first time out west!

thanks

dhogan · Sep 12, 2006

I did a 2 week per diem in June of this year. I too loved John C. Lincoln. Baptist was tough, very behind the times. The pt-nurse ratio was great at JCL. And the staff were great. Good Luck.

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 21, 2006

I just moved to Phoenix, AZ from Ohio and its a big change. The heat is not SO bad, it is a dry heat, nothing like the awful humid 95 degree days we had in cincinnati. I would sit in the AZ sun of 118 ANY DAY than sit in the humidity of the midwest. I moved out here in the middle of July too so it was the hottest time of year. Right now its nice and cool but still warm enough to go swimming. Feels like a dry 80 degrees in Ohio.

I work at St. Joe's in Phoenix. I met a few travelers at orientation where they go over all the policies. Its a good hospital for workers:)

SCGreywolf · Sep 23, 2006

The problem with TMC is that they still expect the nurses to kowtow to the doctors. I don't think anyone ever told the administration and the docs that MD does NOT stand for 'minor diety'. About 1/4 of the travellers there do not finish their contracts (according to my source...take it for what it's worth...I have no personal knowledge). I DO know that there are very, very few renewals and extensions of contracts by the travellers. That much I know for sure. Of course, everyone has their own way of looking at things and your friend might just fit well there...and then again, might not. Let's put it this way...TMC is NOT known for allowing their staff to be independent and free-thinking. Enough said.

The wolf