First timer hoping for New Orleans

CRemergencyRN · Aug 24, 2015

Hey there! I am also a first time traveler that is attempting to go New Orleans... I'm looking to go mid-October. Im an ER nurse and have already been submitted for a few positions at Ochsner through RN Network... I'm sure they probably have a few L&D jobs there too! I'm a little stressed about finding housing down there- so far I haven't come up with much. If you want to chat more, I'd love to talk to you!

NedRN · Aug 24, 2015

Base pay and differentials are meaningless for travel nurses. There is an all inclusive bill rate per hour paid per specialty. Shift and experience don't affect that bill rate. Your pay has components as you will find out when you talk to an agency. Hourly, per diem, housing stipend (or provided housing), travel pay, license, and sometimes a completion bonus.

You should know that L&D nurses command premium pay so you are more likely to get your requests granted! Your total compensation per PanTravelers calculator (Google it, very helpful when you start getting quotes) should be at least $50 an hour for L&D (even a first assignment) when all the components are added up.

The hourly portion may be a shockingly low number, often less than $20 an hour. While the rest of the compensation more than makes up for it, don't accept less than $50 an hour overtime rate. Obviously, less than this is a pay cut compared to your compensation for your regular hours.

Underthemoonicp6 · Sep 19, 2015

Does anyone have insight on hospital culture in New Orleans? I've been traveling mainly between the coasts and have heard negative things about the south in general. That they abuse travelers in all ways. Can anyone confirm or reject this? Specifically Ochsner.

NedRN · Sep 20, 2015

The south is dominated by the for profit hospital chains HCA and Tenet known for maximizing profits and minimizing staffing ratios. That is the underlying culture but it is supported by management and docs disdainful of nurses.

That said, there are undoubtably hospitals and units that are good to work in, especially if you have already worked in southern hospitals and know the work culture and local culture.

You can be unlucky and land in a hospital or unit where they mistreat travelers more than their own staff but I don't get why the odds of that happening would be different in the south.

kk2021 · Oct 4, 2015

I worked L&D for 3 years in Nola before I started traveling (not at ocshner). It's crazy busy, and you will care for a very diverse patient population. We absolutely loved our travelers and were so thankful to have them. I'm going to link to a recent post I came across to give you an idea of what it can be like-truly, I witnessed this first hand on many shifts..even with all of that said, I must be crazy because I loved it and hope to go back one day! And you absolutely cannot beat the city of New Orleans! Good luck!

https://allnurses.com/ob-gyn-nursing/staffing-safety-issues-1014230.html

I am that I am · Oct 4, 2015

PM for all questions Ochsner