Considering taking an assignment in NYC to help

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I’m currently an IR nurse with 3 years of nursing experience mostly in PCU and ICU. I’ve been in IR for 6 months

With everything going on, I want back on floor. I want to help patients and other nurses to survive this pandemic. I’m being told by my facility that they don’t need me, I’m being cancelled, and told even when we get busy again that I will only be able to assist and won’t be able to work as an independent nurse. I understand it, due to IR being the only position I’ve had at my current facility, but it frustrates me. I want to use my nursing skills, not be sidelined because I of my current position.

I’m considering quitting my job and taking an assignment in NYC or some other crisis response position. I’m young, don’t have kids or a husband to worry about and I want to be of use.

Is it horrible to abandon my current hospital, to help out in places that are worse off now? I feel like this situation is calling me back to the bedside

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I live in Houston and thought about it briefly, especially when the NurseFly's travel RN packages for NYC are incredibly attractive. When it's $4-5k a week, that looks very tempting! But I'm in a state job as a psych RN, and I wouldn't want to risk losing vesting on my pension. Plus, I haven't worked ICU in a little more than two years, so who knows how rusty I'd be if I went back to ICU?

Moreover, rents in NYC are like $3k a month, and you'd have to share with other roommates (ick). Who would rent to you knowing you'd possibly bring in Coronavirus to their property after your shift? And what cab drivers, or Uber, or Lyft, would take you to and from work because of Corona? (I have no clue how the NYC subway system works, having only been on it once decades ago as a teenager). It seems like an impractical idea unless you have friends or relatives generous enough to house you and/or you live in the northeast.

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It won't be long before you will find critical need for your services not far from home.....unless you live on the moon.

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I agree with DannyBoy. In California I'm reading that their governor came up with this CA Nurse Corps to recruit folks in his area. I may re-acquire ACLS next week (mine expired last year) because I anticipate the Texas Medical Center (TMC) will be dramatically desperate for ICU RNs in a week or two. The way I see it, it's best to keep your powder dry for the moment because everyone in America knows about the PPE shortage at this point and if you are heart-set on going in there at least make sure you are going into an environment that will keep you safe.

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53 minutes ago, Naturally Brilliant said:

Who would rent to you knowing you'd possibly bring in Coronavirus to their property....

I would imagine most contracts would provide accommodation...sure, maybe shared with other travel nurses, but WTH

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See the comments on Gov. Cuomo's tweet about it:

The Four Seasons apparently was opening their doors up to hospital workers but rank-and-file staff contacted didn't know about it. Seems like a mess right now.

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1 minute ago, Naturally Brilliant said:

See the comments on Gov. Cuomo's tweet about it:

The Four Seasons apparently was opening their doors up to hospital workers but rank-and-file staff contacted didn't know about it. Seems like a mess right now.

Cool. I’ve really been considering doing this. Apart from the OP, anyone else in?

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Not To be selfish, but I’m going to be putting myself at almost the same risk here in Florida in a few weeks for 1/5th of the paycheck I’ll get in NYC and I’ll actually be part of the action there.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

If you know your risks, I say go for it. And NO, I do not think you are abandoning your hospital. This is for the people, your hospital should understand. I would go but I have kids and a husband. I am not ICU either, which it the great need. Whatever you decide stay safe and Thank you!!

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Currently considering it too. my cousin and I are both RN's and ER experience and thinking if we are going to be exposed here for a fraction of the pay, might as well go somewhere short term and make some $$ and give some relief.

What agencies are you looking at going with?

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On 3/30/2020 at 7:48 PM, Naturally Brilliant said:

I agree with DannyBoy. In California I'm reading that their governor came up with this CA Nurse Corps to recruit folks in his area. I may re-acquire ACLS next week (mine expired last year) because I anticipate the Texas Medical Center (TMC) will be dramatically desperate for ICU RNs in a week or two. The way I see it, it's best to keep your powder dry for the moment because everyone in America knows about the PPE shortage at this point and if you are heart-set on going in there at least make sure you are going into an environment that will keep you safe.

From what I've read, resuscitation attempts could be entirely curtailed once it hits the fan. Not sure if that would be a good use of your time and money.

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