guest2117

Thanks!

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could give me input on travel agencies that staff in Alaska. I know the state very well and would like to do an assignment there, but the agency I'm currently talking to doesn't seem to do a whole lot of staffing there. Thanks!

Yes! I save the printout reports in case I'm going to have the same patients for 3 nights in a row. I use Black for the first night, Blue for the second night, and green for the third night. Red is for important notes/important things to underline.

Lack of preparedness. When you work on the floor (or ER) with 6+ patients, you have to write notes down throughout the day to stay organized. Shoot, I keep a pen and small notepad in my purse and in my car just in case I need to write something down. I'm 28, but I don't rely on my Galaxy S8 for everything, lol.

So proud to see this!

Thank you NedRN!

OH I will say though, I have met a doctor or two where you would NEVER make suggestions to them. One was a CT surgeon, you strictly told him facts and let him give you his orders (he could be a serious richard cranium to you if you gave him, the doctor, suggestions). HA, then there was an intensivist I worked with, arrogant little man, if you made a suggestion to him he would order the opposite. *sigh*

I agree with this 100%. Those recommendations the nurses are making are based off of their clinical experience. This will come with time working on the unit.

My last job was on a cardiac floor. Our floor techs were required to have CNA licenses, and I'm not sure anyone really knew why the hospital used the term tech vs CNA. Anyway, we had two techs at night, and they had a pretty organized routine on what needed to be done during the shift: -Routine VS, blood sugars, patient weights -Assisting the RN in getting admissions/transfers: Getting pt's VS/Ht/Wt, hooking pt up to cardiac monitor, making sure pt had admit supplies (toiletries, non skid socks, appropriate bracelets indicating fall risk etc, ice water) -Around midnight techs would ask RNs if we had any AM procedures/NPOs, and they would place NPO sign on door -Techs would prep patients going for surgery/procedures in AM (shaving/bathing with hibiclens/making sure patient was only wearing gown/socks) -With last round of VS, the batteries in cardiac monitors would be changed, linen bags would be changed, ice water refilled Ultimately in my mind, it is the responsibility of BOTH the tech and the nurse to make sure these things are done on top of making sure patient's call lights are answered, patient's are assisted to the toilet, snacks and drinks are brought to the patient, patients get bathed/linens changed. If a patient needed a bed bath/linen change, I always tried to make it a point to be in that room helping the tech. Each nurse had 6 patients, and if it was a crazy start to the shift I would coordinate with the techs and let them know which of my patients I could grab VS or blood sugars on. I know the techs always appreciated how involved I was in helping out. Any time I needed anything from a tech they were always willing to help out. Gosh, to be honest, I preferred working with my fellow techs than a couple of RNs on that unit... lol. Bottom line: It's a team effort!

Thank you everyone for your replies! It is much helpful info moving forward. I left my last hospital mid January to transition to travel with HWS, so I really need to get a plan formed to get back to work. Fortunately, I made sure I had a little nest egg saved up prior to leaving my last job. I spoke to a past coworker who worked as a traveler for a few years and she absolutely reiterated this. My (ex) recruiter at HWS stated in the beginning that I could not work with any other travel agency while being employed with them. Has anyone ever encountered this? It seems upon reading further into Allnurses that many travel nurses work with 2-3 agencies at a time. Once again, thank you all for your helpful advice!

Awesome work!

Thanks, Swellz. That is helpful info. I am disappointed because this has cost me valuable time and money - money in hotel and gas costs that could have gone toward bills and my mortgage. I feel duped to have sat here in a hotel room since Sunday and given the runaround by my agency. Luckily I am only a few hours drive from home. I take this as a learning lesson going forward. My focus now is to get a plan formed so I can start making money. I am most certainly steering clear of HCA, also.

My last floor was designated med-surg tele. We got cardizem, heparin, dopamine, dobutamine, lidocaine, and amiodarone drips. Also insulin drips for our DKA pts. 6:1 ratio. Not particularly safe, these patients should be on a step down unit with a ratio of no more than 4:1, but alas that is the way hospitals are going.

Since you are a recruiter, is it common for travelers to have to pay out of pocket for their physicals and required items for medical clearance? I used the same clinic HWS sent me for my drug screen to get my physical, MMR titer, PPD, etc. The LPN asked why the agency did not send the information directly and why I was paying out of pocket. The physician asked me the same thing and said all of the travelers that have come through have never paid out of pocket for these requirements. Appreciate your feedback!

Thank you for your reply! I am giving them a deadline for tomorrow to give me word. Time is money and right now they are wasting both for me. I am researching new agencies, also.