GoingHome

I don't recall anyone saying 4hams is a liar. Many people quote figures and don't understand or opt not to share all of the information/options that go into that figure. If I recall she was trying to get information regarding the pay. Obviously some have better pay than others, but the point was to make sure the figures quoted by her fellow workers was wage only, not perdiem/M&I and stipend/housing. I can't speak for everyone else, but I would be happy for someone to be making a decent wage and have a good recruiter. It is often difficult to find both. After the economy took a turn for the worst, the wages did drop across the travel industry in addition to all the lttle extras we were receiving.

There is a lot of time to clean up the computerized chart. Make sure the rooms are clean and organized (untangled and off floors), baths (have stuff in room for days if patient wants to do in am), Do those daily drsg changes, rotation of IV sites, check dates on tubings & IV bags, am lab results on the chart and address abnormals if possible. Have those early birds up and in the chair. It's all about making the whole process work smoother. You have a very special and important role. Unfortunately some take advantage of quiet time and read books. It amazes me when there is so much that can be done.

I agree with canesdukegirl. Hang in there; it truly does get better. You are on the learning curve and going about it all the right ways. Just a couple of thoughts. I'm not sure if you are prioritizing before you jump out of the gates. On your time off, if you dont have your own worksheet (organization tool) create one. This will keep you on track and in time you will not need it. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are prioritizing. Before you jump out of report and start sprinting down the hall, glance at who gets meds at what time, make mental note of those that have antibiotics or set times such as Q6H; Those TID are important to give at 2100, but are not going to hurt if they are a little late (prioritize). Before you go to your first room have that first patient's medications with you. When you are called to another room, do that person's assessment as you are helping them to the bathroom (pulses when applying slippers; Lungs when you help them dangle (better assessment listening posteriorly), assess pain, glance at incision after or as getting to destination to see if it is oozing and jot down on your worksheet what supplies you will need to bring with you (ie...gauze, scissors, tape, look to see if they have ice and stuff for HS care) when coming back with there meds/pain pills. If you are responsible for HS care also; could put the stuff on BS table, take canesdukegirl advice, do teaching/encouragement (which you will need to chart per shift anyways) and let them know you are doing your medication pass, and will return ASAP. But most importantly, continue what you are doing by looking things up and learning as you go. This will make you a stronger nurse, and is the right way to practice. SAFETY first. GREAT JOB :)

I wouldl try to get information regarding the percentage of people who take the internships who get hired immediately after. I have heard of facilities taking advantage of students to keep budget down with having no intention of hiring afterwards. Obviously, this is likely an exceptions, but it does occur. I'm not sure if Human resources would have that information or how you would go about aquiring that. Good luck :)

Tiroka03 - This is a common practice. They have different training than a CNA :) I do understand you concerns

Its too bad the people who make out travelers assignments and decide to float them every four hours only knew the truth to "making the big bucks"

Great Point, GrnHonu99. How many hours a week is she working. I was referring to 36 hour work week. I really encourage any one who is interested in traveling to evaluate the reasons before jumping in. You get paid for the hours you work. Most companies do not have PTO hours. The motivating factor should not be about the dollar or I think you may be a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the pay isn't bad, but it is definately not why I do it.

I would make sure your clarifying the "take home". Is that including housing stipend? Seems high to me also.

RN. If you want experience or to have a foot in the door after school, work as a student tech or CNA. Obviously a CNA role is much different but you will be in a better position to be hired by the facility you choose than others. Jobs are posted in house prior to being available to public. Good luck

Floated to telemetry (hired for SICU) everyday for first 14 shifts! Out of 13 wk contract 9 were in ICU. Staff focus is on charting, poor patient care from vast majority of staff. Know your fellow travelers because they will likely be the only one who will help you. The telemetry units werent too bad minus no help unless nurse assistant likes you...which is very important to have them on your side. I can tell you lots of things but I don't want to avoid giving you the facts I dealt with. Very cliquey...if ask for help get all kinds of excuses but bottom line no one will help you even if you have everything ready. They say "you wait for lift team" even if pt laying in stool and it will be 1-2 hours I hope you find It to be a better experience.

I have been with three companies. Currently AMN/NursesRx. Recruiter can make or break the experience but I have to agree with the lowest pay. I am at a hospital which required numerous computer modules prior to arrival. I complaiined after I diligently had worked over 18 hours on "my time" without being told about it in interview. AMN swore up and down its the hospitals doing. Interestingly enough during hospital orientation I was asked to sign a peice of paper to be reimbursed for those hours. AMN still wont pay me for it. The housing is nice...as others (equivalent furnishings). Insurance lousy. Many job opportunities. It comes down to what is important to you in the here and now. The beauty of traveling, when your needs change...you can smile and walk away from those companies with their hand in yopur purse. Before long things will turn around.

I have taken the test once, without any warning! It was very frustrating. The person who gave directions on how to take this test, said we would see an example of what it is like and then the test would start. Obviously that didnt happen or maybe it did. It is very possible it did but it was so quick I did not know and I missed it. Needless to say I missed the first senario. I took this for an assignment in Arizona, for one of the SunHealth facilities in 2007. I agree it was awful and does not validate your ability (or lack of) to provide good nursing care. I think I passed. They said they used it to provide the hospital's educator information on areas of weakness to gear your orientation towards your needs. I think it was a story, because I really didnt have much of an orientation anyways. I have also heard of people, travelers, sent home because did not pass! There is no way to study for it, the only thing you can do is pick general diagnosis: PE, cardiac tamponade, DVT, Stroke, MI, CHF, COPD and know the standard line of treatment for it and describe it quickly and very elementary like....enter room, apply oxygen, call for help, obtain vitals, deligate someone to start IV, anticipate MD ordering ABG and CXR (or whatever) and page MD, Blah blah blah....again you only have five minutes. Stare at the screen the whole time. Dont look down. Mine was all computerized, so I had to type my answers in these columns that were all mixed up. One column would be must do, should do, could do if had time...or something along those lines. Hope this helps :)

Will be going to Hilo soon and was wondering what others are doing or have done regarding housing. I'm with Medical Staffing Solutions and they provide a furnished place but would still like to hear others housing situations.

I have a really good recruiter with Cross Country. Private message me and I can give you some information. I have been using her for about 2.5 yrs. I would still recommend being with several companies, which you probably know :) Welcome back, it's really changed.

I second that. I have been traveling about four years and if I could get a full time permanent position back home, I would be there. It is not the time to be traveling. The pay is considerably lower and the jobs are few and far between. Previously you could choose where you wanted to go...not anymore. Now you are happy to get the position. The last few jobs I have submitted for and received, I had been one of 283 and the last one I was one of 327! It is a very touch market. Stay put for now :)

I went with Altres and they told me I had a contract with St. Francis Hospital. I got there and it was an agency position. There term travel and the term travel on the main land is definately different. Make sure you are real clear about the terms. I was there for two weeks and I was cancelled every day. Needless to say, I came back home

FYI Not that much different. New manager, cutting back on overall nurse patient ratios. . . which was the only thing that could save you there.

The only thing in contracts is what you are smart enough to ask for or request be placed in there. I learned a lot from this experience. If I didn't work, they were still going to take money out of my check for the housing even though i was not making any money! Like I said learned a lot from the experience. Hopefully this will help soome of the new travelers who want to experience Hawaii, think about all the little things that I assumed was the same.

I went to hawaii, with Altres. They paid for my flight there, the housing was pretty good but I was mislead. I was told I would be dong travel nursing there and signed a contract saying one thing and got there and was told the hospital didn't have work for another month. (Yes breach of contract right...but what is one to do when you are stuck on an island and have already paid for all the utilities turn on fees,etc...) I stuck it out. So for 10 days in a row. I was scheduled to work and was cancelled. I don't know if it was the time of the year (pre Christmas) and staff was picking up hours or what, but I would be notified once I was already on the bus and half way to work! I came home after being without work for 10 days. I wish I would have known I was on vacation...instead of fretting every day. I went with Altres because I heard nothing but positive things. So hopefully I am an exception.

I wouldn't do it either. The market has dramatically changed. With things being so unstable I would stay where I knew I had a paycheck coming in. Spend this time exploring about travel nursing. Maybe try another unit in your local hospital so you are more marketble :)

Definately have it written into your contract. Some of the reasons I decided to do such: frequently the contract nurse is the first to float, expected to function as others - typically don't have an orientation and they may do charting differently than what you were shown (computer vs paper vs different paper forms within the same facility), By accepting the assignment you are agreeing that you are capable of performing the job. I personally value my license and am not willing to compromise it for a poorly managed facility. I have offered to help and do the admission paper work, or start IV's, pass meds, hang blood or whatever, but not take a patient load outside of the department I hired for. SAFETY FIRST ... For patients and me :)

LadyNASDAQ How would you know if the wage is low or not? I've wondered if I am accepting a lower wage with my company, but they are good with dependability, they keep their word, housing is safe and clean w/ basic furniture. They also do the tax benefit. When I talk with other travelers, I am always the lowest paid, sometimes by 5-6 dollars. So, how do you figure this out?

Hi, I've been with Access for a year. I have met numerous travelers and you know how we talk. I have been so happy with them. I have not had a reason to look for another company. An important thing for you to know is what is important to you. Some say money, some say loyal company, some say benefits, etc... For me, I do not want to be told one thing and arrive somewhere to find it different than I was told. I also want to be put up in good housing, in addition to having a company who will back me. These things have consisently been met with access. I primarily credit my recruiter Jessica Nesbitt, but the company is good too. You can trust what they tell you and they will help you immediately with anything that is wrong or even if you have a simple question. Good Luck

I had an interview with NC Pitt Co. in the SICU. The manager was rude on the phone, I figured maybe she was having a bad day, but it didn't get better. She called @ 5am my time, (which she knew) and decided to do a pop quiz on the phone after she read off a lengthy 10 minute history of the hospital. The whole time she barked questions at me. I passed her pop quiz and was granted the honor of her permission to come to their facility. "But, I want you to know when you get here, you will be taking the PBDS and if you do not pass you will be sent back home." "I have send home 4 out of my travelers this wk." When asked how the facility feels about having travelers. She informed me that the hospital uses a lot of them. "We haven't had to use any in our unit but now with the changes, we have to. They aren't thrilled about it, but they are starting to warm up to the idea" I declined the offer. I figured there was a good reason for such a high wage to work there. Also, if she was that rude, when she is doing her interview (one would think this would be good behavior, first impressons and all)....I didn't want to see her on a bad day.

I've heard you need to travel with the Hawaiian companies, not US ones.