Ever Heard of Fresno $38.50/hr???

suzanne4, RN · Nov 13, 2006

How does Fresno $38.50/ hour in ER sound? Has anyone tried to make a private contract with a hospital for short term. ex. 3months long to get more pay?

You really are not going to get much more than that, when compared to what the going rate is in the area. If you add in your rent and utilities, what do you suggest?

But if it is the facility that I am thinking of, the neighborhood around the facility is quite scary.

m_chatelaine · Nov 13, 2006

Suzanne,

Can you please recommend the hosptals I should be careful of? It is so hard to decide. I am considering finding my one place through the internet and then going down a week early to find a place, just so that I can get a better pay rate or completion bonus. What do you think?

MARI 1 · Nov 14, 2006

Hi...

If your resume has been presented by an agency for a position at the hospital and they offered you a contract, you can't go back to the same hospital and try and get hired directly. The agencies have contracts with the hospital and there are stipulations about how long you must work there before they can hire you directly.

The US is different to Canada, Fresno is not Calgary... please listen to what everyone is telling you here. When your in a strange area, you might not be aware of the danger signals and always ask questions from everyone about where to go and where not to go. When I first got here from Toronto, I ended up in some pretty scary situations. You can search crime stats online and the other way of know that it is not a good neighbourhood is drive by at night or call the local police department and ask if they have had issues with the complex... better safe than sorry.

m_chatelaine · Nov 15, 2006

Thanks for the tip it is nice to hear about how a Canadian adapts to the American cities and their way of health care. How did you find the adjustment?

Thanks.

waterfall99 · Nov 26, 2006

You really are not going to get much more than that, when compared to what the going rate is in the area. If you add in your rent and utilities, what do you suggest?
But if it is the facility that I am thinking of, the neighborhood around the facility is quite scary.

I disagree, 38.50 for travel nursing to Fresno isn't that great, I've seen and know of nurse getting 48.50, housing and travel pay and insurance included.

That hospital pays big moeny for a reason.

I know a nurse that worked L&D there and she would'nt go back for 100/hour!!!

They advertise constantly for nurses there, I really only pay attention to L&D, but I figure they are desperate for a reason??

SCGreywolf · Nov 30, 2006

One of the things you have to consider is the California tax rate. The combination of local, state and federal taxes can end up costing you 50% of your pay.....and THAT'S why I don't work in California. Plus gasoline is about 15 to 20% more costly because of their smog regulations.

I just went on the website for Nurse Choice and they're offering 39 in ER, 38 in MS and OB plus your housing and travel. "caveat emptor" prevails. I have no idea which facility this pertains to.

The Wolf:paw:

k_cole21 · Dec 2, 2006

I know a nurse who went to Fresno Community in L&D also. She made close to $50 plus the normal travel stuff & also said she would never go back. Said she felt like her license was on the line everyday she walked into that hospital. Also they offered her a job w/o ever talking to/interviewing her. You know some thing's wrong if they don't even interview you.

suzanne4, RN · Dec 2, 2006

I disagree, 38.50 for travel nursing to Fresno isn't that great, I've seen and know of nurse getting 48.50, housing and travel pay and insurance included.
That hospital pays big moeny for a reason.
I know a nurse that worked L&D there and she would'nt go back for 100/hour!!!
They advertise constantly for nurses there, I really only pay attention to L&D, but I figure they are desperate for a reason??

If you are working at a nice facility in that area, and one that you would want to work at, the salaries are in that range that I mentioned. The hospital that I think that we are talking about is in a terrible neighborhood, and no money would be worth it in my opinion. That is why they are always advertising.

And it also depends on what comes with the housing, such as location of the apt, car, etc.

My safety is always the most important to me, and I would go back to Fresno in a second but never that part of town.

And

KeeKee24 · Dec 5, 2006

Fresno is the most boring place on the planet, nothing to do there. Its an old farm town. I wouldn't go there for $38.50/hr

Sunnibee · Dec 6, 2006

There is so much meth in the Central Valley, ER work there is pure drudgery; constant drug-seeking and scary patients and families when triaged. They will try to meet you in the parking lot! You can do better in farther North California, like Sacramento, and the pay scale gets higher as you go North. Oh, and Fresno is hot, dry, and smelly.

nursekatie22, RN · Jan 1, 2007

Okay....I'm no Fresno lover, but it's gotten a lot better than it used to be. I finished my ADN there and did my last half of my last semester clinical on a tele floor there and I liked it. Now, I know being there for two days a week is nothing compared to working for real, but I think it depends on the department. I know several people who work there and absolutely love it, but they all work in either the ICU or ER! As for the people in the parking lot, I only had one person even talk to me in the parking garage and he was just asking for money for the "bus" and I sent him on his way.

I'm not the biggest fan of the area, but there's way better shopping than there used to be and a lot of it's much nicer than it was 10 years ago.