Hospital in the LA/Orange County area

[jenmac30]

I am looking for information on hospital experiences in the LA/Orange county area. I am looking to do my next assignment in this area and would like some more information about what to expect.

thanks!

[Haunted]

Most of the Western Medical facilities are guaranteed shifts and they are very friendly towards agency. Kaiser is very specific about what registry you come from, also will hang you out to dry. These nurses make a boat load of hourly pay and overall have gotten used to letting registry do everything for the patient, plus the paper work will clog your day and send your BP thru the roof. You will find yourself double documenting everything on your shift just to protect your license.

Hoag is a very modern facility in a lovely location, they are also complete snobs and will not help you unless you are the same cookie cutter image they are so don't expect any warm receptions. Plus you will walk miles to get anywhere in the facility so wear comfy shoes and plaster that grin on your face!

UCI is a teaching facility in a nasty location but a great cafeteria, you will enjoy dealing with 26 year old Dougie Howsers trying to DC an art line with their bare hands! Most of the UC hospitals are like that. My best advice though is if you accept an assignment, get it in writing that they will provide PAID orientation to whatever unit you agree upon. If you are merely shown the linen closet and the med room code, take your written agreement directly to the CN and request that they comply.

Above all, please journal or document briefly every single shift without fail because it is truly human nature to point the finger of blame at YOU, whether you were there or not and your accurate documentation, charting and personal review will save you untold grief, sleepless nights and possibly your license. Smile, be helpfull, cheerful and do not disclose a lot of personal information about yourself. You are an angel of mercy, just passing thru. Hope this helps, if not, give me a specific hospital and I will dish like crazy.

[Haunted]

Sorry about the delayed response, I have been to Italy, Switzerland, Memphis, New Orleans, Marina Del Rey and finally Nashville. I don't even bother to unpack anymore....plus, I have been wearing the same underware since Tuesday.....sigh

[Michellex1013]

What about Citrus Valley-Queen of the Valley campus?

I have no idea how to PM someone. Can someone clue me in ?

Michelle

[stayseerrn]

Have heard that UCLA is a "resume builder" but kinda hard to get into and can be quite stressful. One of my good friends worked in Anaheim and then at, I think the name was, Hollywood Presbyterian. She loved both of them very much. Some of the hospitals in the outlying areas are supposed to be really great assignments. Places like Burbank, Santa Monica, and Huntington Beach are supposed to have all the benefits of working in the LA area with half of the hassle. My friend I mentioned before also said to stay away from LA County hospitals. They are a "cesspool" to quote her. While a little too far out to be considered a suburb, Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills have good reputations. The area is pretty (who can complain about being at the beach, right?) and they have travelers who have been there on assignment for a year or more. So, if you stick to the outlying areas, you should be okay.