LA, California

lilmeg1016 · Dec 29, 2009

Has anyone traveled to LA? My current contract ends at the end of January and I am looking to travel to California next, preferably LA. I am currently working with Access Nurses, Cirrus, and Crosscountry. Any advice on California, LA, or these particular agencies would be great!

Hello! I am currently traveling in LA, and I LOVE it here! I am with Kaiser West LA currently, but when my contract ends in January, I will be moving to USC University Hospital.

Kasier is okay so far. I "grew up" in a CVICU/Level 1 Trauma hospital in North Carolina, so things at this Kaiser ICU are at a snail's pace of what I'm used to. I'm ready for a challenge (hence moving on to USC). This was my first travel assigment, so it was a good place to get my feet wet to traveling without being stressed by the assigment.

I am with Travel Max for this current assigment. Let's just say things didn't get off to the world's best start, and I was ready to switch companies (for details, please email me). I went with Cross Country for this next assigment, and so far I have been very pleased.

Los Angeles is a wonderful city! There is so much to do and see, I don't know how I'm even going to scratch the surface in 6 months! Good place if you are a busy body like myself who always needs to be preoccupied! Not to mention the fantastic weather (yeah, short sleeves in December- no complaints here!). Good luck in finding your next destination!

jennbn · Dec 30, 2009

lilmeg....thanks so much for your info. I am applying for a position there in ICU/CCU with Talemed (Kaiser not USC). I would love to get the low down before I accept. Have people been friendly? What are the uniform requirements? What computer charting system do they use? How many pts in ICU vs. Stepdown? Did you have to take multiple test? How long is the orientation? I know this is overwhelming but sometimes the best info comes from a fellow nurse. Any info you would share would be great. I have a ton more questions but don't want to be to cumbersome....jenn

lilmeg1016 · Dec 30, 2009

No problem! Glad I can help. So Kasier... People been okay. There are not a lot of people inside my age group (late 20s-30s) that work in the ICU. Not too much in common with them, but the travelers are all pretty nice. Made a few friends! No uniform requirements. Computer charting Epic- my first time computer charting- I think it's pretty user friendly, and I like how it's integrated with all the other diciplines (MDs, pharmacy, etc). There was a HUGE packet of prereq stuff they sent with post tests. Took about one solid day of working on the stuff to complete (on and off with breaks). Orientation was 5, 6 or so hour days. P.S. You DO have to pass an EKG test first thing when you walk in Monday morning, so just be prepared. First two days orientation going over all the stuff in that packet, hospital policies, procedures. Next 2 days computer charting. Last day 8 hours on unit. I took the job at Kaiser just because this was my first travel experience, I needed a job, and I wanted to be in California. Honestly would have taken something else if it would have come along in the timeframe I needed (I've heard HORROR stories about Kaiser from fellow travelers, so I was scared.) But it really hasn't been that bad. Hope this helps a little bit!

jennbn · Dec 30, 2009

Thanks again. What are the ratios like? Are you floating to other units frequently? I would love to talk more. Please email me at jenn_bn at hotmail . com . I should be out there somewhere in a few weeks. It would be great to have a friend when I get there:)

Saywhat!? · Jan 18, 2010

are you still trying to do an assignment in LA? I've always wanted to go but didn't want to go by myself.

jennbn · Jan 19, 2010

I am actually leaving in a few days to drive out there from the East Coast. I will be working a 10 week contract at West LA Medical Center...