No PRN work in Florida?????

U.S.A. Florida

Published

I moved to Ft. Myers in August. After an extensive job search I accepted a non-benefitted prn position with Lee Memorial. My choice was at least 2 areas of specialty to float to. Since I have 10 years ICU/trauma experience, I chose ICU and stepdown.

I suffered thru the orientations, and the limited exposure to the areas I would be sent to, I was to float prn 7p-7a to all three campus's here. All had 2 or more ICU's and stepdown units.

My dilemma is I have been cancelled twice now! They offered me their seasonal contract which I accepted and signed. I realize there's no guarantee of hours, and I surely don't get paid when if I don't work. But, geez!

Does anyone know what the deal is here? I thought the season here was busy and I wouldn't be out of work. The staffing office told me if I did telemetry/med surg I would always have work, but I am not comfortable with their nurse/pt ratios...sometimes up to 8-9 on nights shifts!

Just wondered if anyone has an comments/suggestions! I am now currently looking for other work, and hate to go thru another orientation with another hospital...takes too much time.

Thanks!

elizabeth:crying2:

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU~CCRN,CNRN.
I'm aware of the risk of prn work. I was just wondering if anyone out there was having the same experience, since it's mid season here.

As for the med-surg floor, I'm not sure I want to risk my license caring for that many patients as I've been an ICU nurse for 10 years.

I was a new grad on a med surg floor with 10-11 patients on nights. I sure don't want that kind of responsibility again. That's a whole new ballgame right there.

Thanks for everyone's input and advice.

Lee Mem. isn't all that bad, but they sure have their problems. I went from a Level I trauma center with state of the art equipment.

I feel like I've gone back in time working at Lee. It takes some getting used to.

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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.
Hi guys, I just wanted to say I'm in the cape coral area and I don't know about the work aspect of it, but it seems like every snowbird and springbreaker in the world is here with traffic. It is absoluetly horrid, especially in ft.myers. I went to ft. myers beach a few weeks ago and it took an hour and a half to get to our parking spot and even longer to get back off the island. I'm swearing off the beach until may(and that aint easy for me and my kids:lol2: ). I'm going on a cruise for mothers day and when I get back I'm going to start the interview process:cool: . Wish me luck. P.s. right now we are having some red tide and sewage problems at the beach so that is gross enough to keep some people out of the H2o:imbar . But I feel like the whole world is here with all the traffic right now;) .
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Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

I work in central Florida & our hospital is filled to capacity in both ICU & the step-down PCU (and has been for the last few months). We don't see it letting up anytime soon. We actually are in need of nurses & I hear they are recruiting heavily for travel nurses just to meet the demand. Seems like most of the hospitals around here are like that. Perhaps it's the location you are in?

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU~CCRN,CNRN.
I work in central Florida & our hospital is filled to capacity in both ICU & the step-down PCU (and has been for the last few months). We don't see it letting up anytime soon. We actually are in need of nurses & I hear they are recruiting heavily for travel nurses just to meet the demand. Seems like most of the hospitals around here are like that. Perhaps it's the location you are in?

Appreciate all the advice, but it's been a couple of months since I started this thread...things have definately picked up. I'm getting called nearly every day for a shifts to work...especially at the Cape and at Lee.

Lee hasn't gotten any better, I think it's just worse. The patient/nurse ratio has risen and they're on a "hiring freeze" go figure????

I thought about taking a staff position but that's a scary thought...

Anyhow..thanks all again...

:uhoh3:

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How about working through an agency? They pay alot more and place you where they know a nurse is needed. Might be helpful during the slower seasons.

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