New traveler. Las Vegas?

suzanne4, RN · Sep 17, 2004

I'm a brand new traveler, w/2 years experience in California. I'm with CCTC, they are offering me $21/hr w/$1000/mo housing. Is this fair? Anyone heard anything about Sunrise or Mountainview hospital in Las Vegas?
I'm just now noticing how much stuff I have to move! I'm planning to continue traveling after this assignment. How does everyone move so often? Do you put things in storage? Or just become minimalists? :chuckle
Thanks for your help!

That pay is lousy. You can do much better than that. If they are giving you the allowance, then you needto find your own housing, and if you are doing short term in a nice area, it will be much more than that. Youwant something where they provide the housing. Unless you have been there before or have friends there.

nightingale, RN · Sep 17, 2004

I, personally, would not work for a HCA facility (again) Both facilities that you mention are HCA facilities; they were formerly Columbia Health Care System. In their history, several years ago, they were forced to pay huge fines for allegations of Medicare (or Medicaid or both) fraud :uhoh3: . They do not do as promised and tend to understaff; their staffing agency is called "All About Staffing" and should be called "All About Understaffing". I worked for All About Staffing for a year and this info, per legal requirement of the fraud allegation, is part of their orientation :uhoh21: .

The feedback I have heard about Sunrise in Las Vegas has not been favorable. I am not familiar with the other facility.

Twenty-one sounds rediculous for Travel Nursing. What is your specialty? Is it like CCU (Coronary Care Unit)?

Let us know how you make out.

catlover314 · Sep 24, 2004

I worked Sunrise many years ago as a traveler (late 80's). It was truly the most awful place I had ever worked. I have no recent information on it however, maybe they've fixed the problems...would be interesting to hear from someone with more recent experience.

I did work an assignment for HCA in Aurora Colo in 1997/8 that wasn't bad. The manager was one of the best I've ever seen. This was right after the initial fraud issue. I found the hospital itself to be a fine place to work. My mother in law was later a pt there and the care she got was great. I guess my point is just cause its part of a system with problems doesn't mean an individual place will be bad. Just be cautious.

luv2nurseinER · Sep 24, 2004

$21/hr is unheard of in NV! You are seriously getting duped it you accept that. I'm getting $30/hr in Reno. :) Only accept the housing subsidy if you know the area or someone in the area. You should only have to take personal items with you like toiletries, pillows, clothes, books and your laptop. My company provides everything else. you can email or pm me if you want more info.

kizaku · Sep 25, 2004

Agreed. It's pretty much consensus that Sunrise is the pits. MountainView, on the other hand, is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum - the cafeteria isn't bad either! :)

rnjoy · Sep 27, 2004

What about summerland?

summerland5 · Jul 6, 2006

what's summerland? see, it's my user name, so what ellse is it? thnx :)

nightingale, RN · Jul 7, 2006

what's summerland? see, it's my user name, so what ellse is it? thnx :)

i hope someone lets you know. the only thing i saw, after a search, are summerland hotels in las vegas.

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 7, 2006

That rate is definitely too low. I'm also with CCTC and will not go anywhere that doesn't meet my standard for pay which is definitely more than that. If you really have your heart set on Vegas, I'd start by calling your recruiter back and telling them "I'm really interested in that position, but can't take it for that pay. Is there any way it can be adjusted or shall I start looking at other positions?" HCA hospitals may be the problem as they are subcontracted under their house agency and that agency controls the rate. My recruiter knows my bottom line and won't even bother telling me about positions that pay below that unless I ask to be told of all positions in a specific area.

As for the housing, I'd recommend letting CCTC arrange your housing when you are first starting out. They have generally put me in really nice housing, and I don't have the hassle of trying to arrange a short term lease, paying deposits, arranging utilities, etc., all in a place I'm unfamiliar with from a thousand miles away.

jddorian · Jul 7, 2006

I'm not sure area you will be working on...but everyone is right. In San Antonio,Tx... one of the HCA hospitals..hired an agency nurse for 50.00/hr. Now that is pretty good.

I have done alittle searching and reading about traveling RN's. I think I am ready to do some traveling. I have worked in the OR circulating and spent some time as a perioperatvie educator for a pedi OR and a general/Transplant hospital. Love working in the OR!!!

Good luck new traveler in Las Vegas!

Hawaii2LasVegas · Jul 7, 2006

Cheap pay.