blackeyedsusan

Latest Activity

1. Floating for 1st assignment?

   blackeyedsusan replied to michlynn's topic in Travel

   I just finished an ICU float assignment at Wake Forest. You did the right thing! That place is crazy! Every unit does things differently - almost like working in a different hospital every night. And I heard from other nurses that the med-surg floors...

2. My family and friends just don't get it lol

   blackeyedsusan replied to raindrop's topic in Travel

   I always say, it's amazing what you can learn to live without for 3 months! Always makes me want to clean out my closets when I get back home again.

3. ICU Acuity - Advise?

   blackeyedsusan replied to ninja-nurse's topic in Travel

   I've been an ICU nurse for almost 5 years, and traveled for the last 2 1/2. My experience when I started traveling was similar to yours. But when you're a traveler, you generally don't get assignments that include balloon pumps, CRRT, Swans, or even ...

4. States with a continual need?

   blackeyedsusan replied to BigT's topic in Travel

   California always, always, always has assignments. Most people I've talked to love it out there. Maryland, Virginia, Texas and New York are pretty consistent, too. (I did an assignment in Houston, and didn't have any problems with staffing ratios and...

5. radiology tech vs respiratory therapy vs nursing

   blackeyedsusan replied to Nursetobe25's topic in Career Support

   There are pros and cons to any profession. One of the things that drew me to nursing was the endless array of possibilities - I can work in a hospital (which includes everything from the OR to the NICU), outpatient center, home care, surgical center,...

6. NP vs PA

   blackeyedsusan replied to CalderonLuis's topic in Career Support

   You might want to check out Shortage Designation: Health Professional Shortage Areas & Medically Underserved Areas/Populations There are government programs that agree to pay significant amounts of your student loans in exchange for several year...

7. WHNP Programs?!

   blackeyedsusan replied to RN.amour's topic in School Programs

   Frontier University looks like a great school...I would be applying there for FNP but they can't admit students from Maryland.

8. Associates after bachelors degree?

   blackeyedsusan replied to Nursetobe25's topic in Career Support

   Not stupid at all! I know many nurses who chose nursing as a second career and already had other degrees. My favorite piece of advice is to get your ADN first - then you can start working as a nurse, make a decent salary, and then finish out your BSN...

9. Trauma ICU or NICU?? Advice please!

   blackeyedsusan replied to Knights Nurse's topic in Job Hunt

   Surgical/Trauma will probably feel more similar to what you've gotten used to in the burn unit. Since you're a new nurse, I think this would work in your favor. But like jamisaurus said, you need to think about your goals. If you've dreamed of going ...

10. Capella University vs. WGU for RN-BSN

    blackeyedsusan replied to blackeyedsusan's topic in Western Governors

    Thanks for the input! I have heard so many good things about WGU and I was hoping some Capella students would weigh in, but I have a feeling WGU is going to win my vote anyway.

11. Capella University vs. WGU for RN-BSN

    blackeyedsusan replied to blackeyedsusan's topic in Western Governors

    Thanks for the info, meanmaryjane. One question I haven't asked my advisor yet - suppose I need some time off in between the six month sessions? Do you know if I can just pop back in at any time? I'm also wondering what your experience was with the p...

12. Capella University vs. WGU for RN-BSN

    blackeyedsusan posted a topic in Western Governors

    I'm researching online RN-BSN programs and basically have it narrowed down to two: Capella and Western Governors. I've gotten a lot of helpful information about WGU from that particular thread, but I haven't seen as much about Capella. I've spoken to...

13. Housing problem for next week's assignment

    blackeyedsusan replied to blackeyedsusan's topic in Travel

    Thanks for your response, NedRN. I just got a call from the housing department and they are switching me to the housing in Arlington without me paying extra. Yay! I live about 3 hours away from DC, so I'll be using a fraction of the allotted travel r...

14. Housing problem for next week's assignment

    blackeyedsusan posted a topic in Travel

    This is my third travel assignment and my first one with Cross Country. I'll be starting in DC next Tuesday, and just found out about my housing yesterday. Turns out they put me in Alexandria, VA - which can easily be an hour or more away from the ho...