no one will hire me in Las Vegas--what's the deal???

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I have applied for every ICU position in Las Vegas the past 2-3 months. I don't even get a call back. Recently I applied for a med/surg position and was called within days (I didn't take the position). I've been an RN for almost 2 years. I've spent the last year working as a traveler in NV and CA. I was an LPN 3 years before that. All my experience is in Med/surg/trauma/Tele, but I'm determined to change specialties. All the "minimum requirements" listed 1-2 years experience in ICU a must. The one hospital I did talk to (I called them) said I would have to work the floor for atleast 3-6 months before I could even put in a transfer. It can't be the way I interview, because I can't even get an interview. My resume looks ok, nothing wierd about it, I've had people check it out. What's the deal? I want to move back to Las Vegas, but can't without a job. I hated working med/surg in Las Vegas. The hospital I was at treated the floor nurses horribly. and rumor has it, it wasn't the worse hospital in Las Vegas. I'm so frustrated. Does anyone know of any hospital that will hire into ICU without experience?

Michelle

update...I got a job that I wanted in Vegas. I'm looking foward to starting soon.

2nd-trauma hawk-I have worked med/surg in Vegas, and if you can do it without burning out in 3 months, I give you credit...everyone I worked with before was so tired of being a nurse because of the ratios. I hope they have improved over the year.

Yes you will need a car in Las Vegas. There is public transportation but nothing like you would find in San Fran, or NY. I have driven across the country many times, and I think it is worth it to drive. Good luck to ya. I love Las Vegas and think it is a great city to live in.

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i have to agree the staffing thing is a nightmare... but that's just part of the job. like the night i got 9 patients with 5 in restraints... tons of mistakes in the orders, etc. and i couldn't get into the pixus for over almost 2 hours, because pharmacy couldn't give me access.

i think you get tougher if it doesn't kill you :).

ah well.. i suppose i'll drive the car :).

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TraumaHawk

haven't I seen your ID on flightweb.com? I have 10 yrs Flight Nurse/Paramedic experience, and am on a travel assignment out here in Vegas for another 3 weeks. I live in Ft Myers FL. Just thought I'd seen you online before.

RJ

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i have to agree the staffing thing is a nightmare... but that's just part of the job. like the night i got 9 patients with 5 in restraints... tons of mistakes in the orders, etc. and i couldn't get into the pixus for over almost 2 hours, because pharmacy couldn't give me access.

i think you get tougher if it doesn't kill you :).

ah well.. i suppose i'll drive the car :).

now, tell me, did you clock out on time at the end of that shift? LOL

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TraumaHawk

haven't I seen your ID on flightweb.com? I have 10 yrs Flight Nurse/Paramedic experience, and am on a travel assignment out here in Vegas for another 3 weeks. I live in Ft Myers FL. Just thought I'd seen you online before.

RJ

Nah, just coincidence. i'm sure the other guy is a much better medic than me :). heck, i'm not even the nursiest nurse. but i am gonna go to vegas for sure in the next few months, even if it's just for a 4 week assignment.

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I know you don't like med-surg, but I did a med-surg rotation at Southern Hills Hospital and was totally impressed with the staff and facility. Everyone was friendly and willing to help one another. The ratio was 5:1. Also, the IMC at St. Rose Siena is a great working environment. The ratio is 5:1 and the charge nurses are awesome. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in pediatrics/PICU.

If you want to do PICU, come to Sunrise! We have a great preceptor program!

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I have taken another travel assignment for now. Starting in Feb I will start applying for the available ICU positions. I was hoping Cent Hosp would have ICU openings because it is new, but at last check there wasn't any. I heard from someone that they weren't starting with a 100% open hospital so maybe in a few months there will be more available positions. I also heard St. Rose is opening up a new (or another) open heart unit. ? . Maybe that will create openings too.

I work at St. Rose and I haven't heard anything about another heart program opening. I know that St. Rose is hard to get into for ICU, with no ICU experience. What about Spring Valley? From what I understand, they hire new grads. I met a nurse who has 2 years of experience. She's now training to take care of heart patients. They just started doing hearts roughly 2-3 mos ago. They will require a contract though, because you will have to take the critical care class...if you have no critical care experience. I believe all of the hospitals here that hire for critical care areas require you to take a 7-8 week critical care course. Taking this course gets you a 2 year contract. Critical care encompasses Intermediate Care, ICU, and ER.

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I have applied for every ICU position in Las Vegas the past 2-3 months. I don't even get a call back. Recently I applied for a med/surg position and was called within days (I didn't take the position). I've been an RN for almost 2 years. I've spent the last year working as a traveler in NV and CA. I was an LPN 3 years before that. All my experience is in Med/surg/trauma/Tele, but I'm determined to change specialties. All the "minimum requirements" listed 1-2 years experience in ICU a must. The one hospital I did talk to (I called them) said I would have to work the floor for atleast 3-6 months before I could even put in a transfer. It can't be the way I interview, because I can't even get an interview. My resume looks ok, nothing wierd about it, I've had people check it out. What's the deal? I want to move back to Las Vegas, but can't without a job. I hated working med/surg in Las Vegas. The hospital I was at treated the floor nurses horribly. and rumor has it, it wasn't the worse hospital in Las Vegas. I'm so frustrated. Does anyone know of any hospital that will hire into ICU without experience?

Michelle

Have you tried going straight to management? When I graduated, I found that was the best route.

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Specializes in pediatrics/PICU.

At Sunrise Hospital, we hire new grads to PICU. The next preceptor program will start in July. PM me for more information if you are interested. We do open heart. Our program is 6 months long.

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Hi Amy remember me well i sold me home in chicago and should be in Vegas living by next month. We got so lucky and bought a nice 3000sq foot home in Cenetenial only 1 mile from your hospital maybe i can do a part time gig for you or pick up a few hours working agency. Ill be sure to stop by to see you to buy you lunch. My wife and I were going to stop by on Friday to see you but are time was very limited, we were only here 3 days and had to find a home. The two days looking were terrible lots of repos with tons of work to do, more like $300,000 dollar rehab houses, amazing what people have done to them concrete poured in the toliets and drains, huge holes in the walls, kitchen cabinets literally ripped from the walls omg i cant even begin to tell u what some of them looked like. We both thank God we were so so lucky to just stumple on the home with are agent ,the home has only been on the market for 8 days, it sold before us for $550,000 we got it for 312000. Whenever u guys decide you want a home let me know are realiastate agent rocks she is awesome. Well i just had to share the good news with everyone i know , Guess i beat the Vegas odds,:yeah:hope to see u soon Bryan

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Great news Bryan!

Definitely let me know when you can stop by and I will show you the ER. No need to buy me lunch silly.

We don't use any agency in the ER at my place. Fully staffed so there is no need. I will be adding more as we get busier though so let me know if and when you'd like to talk about a per diem or part time position.

Hope you and your wife have a safe move. Glad to hear you found a house. I love living up here in the NW. TTYS.

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