Info on travel assignments in the NYC area (including Long Island)

[frmrnyker]

I grew up on Long Island, family still there. I currently reside and own a home in Maine. I'd like to take a travel assignment to the NY area in the fall. I am simply not making enough here. I am an ER nurse over 2 years exp., 6 months of med surg before the ER snatched me back. Prior to getting my RN I worked as a tech in the ED (where I currently work), and also spent 4 years as a Medic in the Navy in acute care/remote settings. I just started per diem at a level 2 trauma center with lifeflight services, I have bls, acls, pals, tncc etc...

Anyone give me a heads up on which places to go or avoid...? average pay? the good bad ugly?

Since I have family in the area I will be staying with them..... I am probably going to go with a company that one of the nurses I work with currently uses as he has had a good experience and has been with other companies.

thanks!

[NYnurseatheart]

Avoid Bronx Lebanon. I worked there as a traveler before - was floated 2 out of 3 shifts. ER can have as many as 120 people listed on the board at one time (and they are all sitting in chairs scattered around the ER - barely room to walk thru, let alone get a stretcher thru. Some bays would have people stacked three stretchers deep - only meant to hold one stretcher... Most nurses have 10 patients apiece, and see perhaps 20 or more patients in their shift. You could not pay me enough to work in that ER again. Good luck. Have heard Lenox Hill and Montifiore are good in the Bronx. Don't know much about Columbia Pres, or LIJC in Long Island - but have heard good things about them.

[amy0123, BSN, RN]

With all the hiring freezes, layoff's and budget concerns any temporary positions would be great to work if you manage to get one. There's more nurses applying and not enough travel positions available - from what I was told. Especially a popular place like in NY. If you can't find a position in the fall then Per Diem would be another great option.