NEW RN WANTS WELL PAYING PLACEMENT IN THE U.S.!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi there!

Long story short: I graduated in April 2000, I want to accept a 13 week (or so) contract in Texas or Florida or somewhere and make A LOT of cash. I have heard of people doing this and try as I might, I have not been able to find out specifics. I DO NOT want to work through a Travel Nurse Company, so please don't write to me if you are a Travel Nurse Company Recruiter. I am able to go with minimal notice. I just want a good experience and nice pay. I know these opportunities are out there, I just can't find 'em!

MQ Edna

1 Article; 1,741 Posts

Just noticed your querie... I too have asked that question over and over and I have now satisfied my need to earn more money. My resolution is to work for and agency. Many agencies have nationwide affiliation so you can connect with an out of town hospital and make agency wages.

I am also registering with the large University Hospital in town in the per diem flaot pool. I have almost three years experience and feel comfortable with many patient areas.

Good luck to you!

TracyRN

68 Posts

I am a nurse in Florida: if you just graduated in April, 2000, you are not ready to travel for a 13 week assignment. You do not have the experience needed to be a competent member of my team with the minimal orientation given to travelers (which is what you'll be regardless of agency afiliation). Go to Texas!

(Sorry, Texas)

TracyRN

68 Posts

Oh, I hate when I've been a witch...

Sorry, Krissy, for being so harsh in my previous post. I reread it after posting and I sound like one of those witchy nurses we all hate.

I guess my sentiment is the same but I'll explain my reasoning. A traveling nurse must be very strong in her (used as non-gender specific, here smile.gif) field of practice. I think all nurses agree that skill comes with practice and practice takes time. Time that is counted in years experience, not months. No matter how good you are, and I'm sure you are good, less than a year isn't enough.

Travelers who contract for 13 or so weeks aren't given 4 weeks of orientation. You might get one day but the whole idea of travelers getting paid more is that the hospital doesn't have to shell out the bucks for a long orientation period: they're paying for a fully-trained, ready to go, skilled nurse. After that, you are on your own and expected to pull the same weight as a nurse who had the benefit of a full orientation. Its not that your fellow nurses won't want to help: its that they have their hands full with their own pt load in these days of overstaffing.

Think, too, about your liability. You will be held to the same standards of practice as every other nurse even though you haven't been given the benefit of that full orientation. If you have to go court and your documentation isn't in order (and every facility has different documentation!), lawyers won't care if you claim nobody told you about "that" form. Are you ready for that much responsibility? Are you that secure in your skills? After 4 years of med-surg, I'm not!!

If there's nothing holding you there, consider a permanent move. The money may not be as good but your license is safer which guarantees long term financial gain.

I wish you luck in making this decision concerning your career. This is the part where my original opinion stands: if it were solely up to me, I wouldn't even consider you for 13 weeks but I would welcome you full-time.

journeyy

52 Posts

Good for you, Tracey! It takes a caring person to go back and make things right.

Hi Krissy: I am also from Canada (Sask) and I think I can help you with a few things about your post. First, I have worked solely in the US since 1994 and worked 6 yrs in Ont before moving to the US. You stated that you would be interested in a 13 week assignment and that you graduated in April 2000. I assume you have been employed in Calgary since graduation and passing the CNATS, so you should have at least 1 yr of experience. 1 yr is not very much! I fully understand your desire for more money, but, unless you join with an agency, you aren't going to get "the big bucks!" You just don't have enough experience in any one area. I totally agree with the post from Tracy. Your best option would be to relocate for 1 year and get the experience under your belt. Let me be honest, Krissy. We do nursing A LOT different here in the US, than we do in Canada and you need to become accustomed with these differences before you are willing to Jump right in and try to function! Not just the fact that we have charge stickers on everything from toothpaste to bandaids, but how many different medications do you think a person can be offered for post op pain (by mouth)? Here in Tennessee, we have up to 12 meds that can be used (and that is only if they hurt a little bit, if it really hurts- well then the list can double!). Medications are different, as are treatments, equipment, and certification requirements. We also have the little thing here to worry about called "law suits!" (very popular, let me assure you!). It is a very real issue and you must take the liability issue very seriously. That would be a big reason why a hospital wouldn't touch you for a short assignment-you would be a BIG liability for them! Also, the hospital nurses are overworked as it is and we want (need!) a nurse who knows what she/he is doing, not one they have to watch over on a short term basis! I'm sorry, but the relocation thing would be best for you. Feel free to email me and I can discuss things further with you if you are interested. Lynnell

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