Cruise Ship Nursing??

suzanne4, RN · May 21, 2005

Best bet would be to contact some of the cruise lines directly. Most set sail from California and Florida so I would try those locations first.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 21, 2005

Now THAT'S a job I wouldn't mind doing......ahhhhhh......

There's only a couple problems with this: number one, I'd HATE catering to rich people, and number two, I don't know how well I'd function under the influence of Dramamine :chuckle Seriously, I get seasick so easily that I've been known to become nauseous just watching a movie or TV show shot on board a boat!!

Oh, and there's the small matter of having a family........

Otherwise, I think I could find a way to overcome these little hang-ups if the right cruise ship position ever came up........ :)

memory_rn · May 21, 2005

Thanks, I will look them up!!

Trauma Columnist · May 22, 2005

I think I could do this for a summer! My husband is a teacher who doesn't have to work most of the summer and we could leave the house in the care of our 20 year old - ooops, cancel that, there would be a big aerial sign outside the house of where the party is!

suzanne4, RN · May 22, 2005

Very few American nurses are on ship nowadays. Most of the companies have European or even African registry. You will find mostly foreign-trained nurses. Another thing to consider, is that it won't be like the "Love Boat." You will be working 12 hour days, and usually six days per week...and on call for somethings..........so you won't have much free time to see or do anything. If you get seasick at all, forget it. Your room will be on the third basement level, or even lower, depending on the size ship.

And salary is only about $500 per month. You can do much better working at a Club Med. :)

daniely.ro · Dec 2, 2005

Hi,

I've been working as a nurse on cruise ships ro four years

well, it's true, I'm not American, but I can tell you I've worked all the time with at least 1 or 2 nurses from USA at the same time

The salary is higher than Suzanne thinks; for instance, if you work for the RCCL the amount is always higher than 4,000 USD

I know few years ago it could reach even 8,000 USD

Usually, there are 3 nurses and 2 doctors on board

you can have plenty of free time, as 1 day you are on call 24hrs, but in the office you stay just for 6 hours (3 hrs/a.m & 3/p.m)' of course, if you have some other stuff to do you stay longer'

and, normally, if there are emergencies you have to be there!!!

2-nd day: you work only when for the opening hours; for the rest you're OFF

3-rd day: OFF DUTY

OK, there is also the possibilty to have plenty of emergencies and you are called even when you are off, but there are quite few of these

that's all for now

suzanne4, RN · Dec 2, 2005

$4000, none that I know have received that much, is still quite low for the number of hours per week.

I was on a cruise with that line just a couple of years ago in Europe, and they were definitely got getting that salary. Unless, they have made some significant changes.

And they did not have much free time, usually they had to stay on ship. With just one day completely off per week.

daniely.ro · Dec 2, 2005

Hi again,

No offence, but I'be been working with them for 2 years

so, believe me, I know what I'm talking about

I was supposed to get another contract, but I had to refuse as my Mum got sick (ovarian cancer), therefore I've decided to stay home for a while

I know that the Crystal Cruise Line pays more, but harder work

Bye

suzanne4, RN · Dec 2, 2005

I just know from the crew on this particular ship, what they told me. As well as others that I have been inctact with in the past. The idea was that you got to see the world, ahdn your housing, etc. was apid for. But the work hours at many times were quite long, and your salalry did not increase because of that. Most American nurses would no longer be receptive to that. In the old days, we were.

SteelCity_RN · Jul 20, 2010

I too have heard numbers similar to what daniely.ro is saying...The nurse worked on celebrity cruise lines..