ICU_chick

You could just be working at a crappy hospital. You can absolutely find a better work environment. Makes a big difference. There was a huge difference in the work environment between central Florida and Oregon when I moved from one part if the country to the other. Try to check out other work environments before to bail altogether.

The Critical Care Internship program in Corvallis at Good Samaritan Hospital is awesome. It's very supportive and lasts like 5 months long. The hospital has posted the openings for applicants for the summer session. The link is here: http://www.samhealth.org/employment_opportunities/new_grad_rn_opportunities.html I don't know about any sign on bonuses and I don't think they do any loan forgiveness at the facility itself. But it is an awesome foundation for the rest of your career and the ICU will be expanding once the construction is done on a new patient tower this summer. I moved here from the east coast and can't say enough about how awesome Good Sam is as an employer. And the Doctors are very collaborative. Great place.

samaritan corvallis is still dedicated to the new nursing orientation. we should have about 10 spots here in our summer critical care internship (cci) program - which covers both icu and progressive care - step-down & tele. the positions should be posted soon, by mid february usually. here's the link: http://www.samhealth.org/employment_opportunities/cci_program.html

The Corvallis opening should be posted in early February - there will be at least 10 positions in the Critical Care Internship program from the summer.

I don't know about Portland but about 1 1/2 hours South in Corvallis we are hiring new grads! Come check out Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center: http://www.samhealth.org/employment_opportunities/new_grad_rn_opportunities.html

In Corvallis at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center we offer an extensive Critical Care Internship program that last 6 months or so. It includes classroom, simulation lab and clinical rotations in both the ICU and Progressive Care Units. You are guaranteed a job after completion, and ICU takes the 1 or 2 of the best of the group directly in as staff. The hospital is a Level 2 trauma center and has active open heart surgery and neurosurgical programs. The ICU also does CRRT, balloon pump, an occasional LVAD, etc. Its suprisingly busy for the size of the facility. That might be an option for you. Here is the link; http://www.samhealth.org/employment_opportunities/cci_program.html On another note, I know that the application for CRNA school is super competetive and the minimum of 1 year in a combined adult ICU may not be enough for you to be a viable candidate, or even an alternate. I strongly recommend talking to the admission folks at a CRNA school to see what their recommendations are in regards to what path you should take to be a CRNA. Getting into that career track can be challenging because many of their applicants have numerous ICU years under their belts.

While Portland is not in need, I know that the Willamette Valley does have openings for new grads. Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis has a couple of different options for new grads. The orientation process is 6 months or greater for the CCI program - which stands for Critical Care Internship, but also supplies nurses to the Progressive care/telemetry areas. The hospital is expanding and will need more RNs next year and I think the CCI program has a summer session that would coincide with your graduation. Here's a link: http://www.samhealth.org/employment_opportunities/new_grad_rn_opportunities.html Of course, there are other areas in the hospital too, if you prefer a different patient population. Corvallis is small enough to have little traffic, but large enough to have cultural events associated with the University here. The peolpe are awesome. We moved here from Florida a year ago and I can't say enough what a great hospital this is. The city is centrally located to be within an easy commute of Portland, the Coast and the endless State parks around. And the salary and patient ratios are better than many of the Portland area hospitals.

I can speak to Sacred Art Tattoo in Corvallis - it is over by the University. My daughter had her ears pierced there, and my sister got her first tattoo ever there. They were very supportive of the "first timers" - great crew, great follow up. Very positive experience - though I couldn't say how it was to work with them.

Corvallis is like a smaller, cleaner Eugene. In fact it was ranked safest city of it's size in 2007. Check it out: http://www.city-data.com/city/Corvallis-Oregon.html :)

CORVALLIS!!! Corvallis is a medium sized city with no traffic, low crime, tons of things for kids and families to enjoy. Schools are outstanding. There is a University here so lots of cultural events, lots of great local produce at the Saturday Market. Very bike friendly. We moved from Florida a year ago and I wish we had done it 10 years ago. The hospital is expanding and will need more nurses - great medical care and busy units for the size of the hospital. Check it out: http://www.city-data.com/city/Corvallis-Oregon.html :)

Have you considered Corvallis? It's a smaller (and therefore no traffic) community about 1 1/2 hours south of Portland. The hospital there is Good Samaritan and has a critical care preceptor program in January. The hospital is also expanding and will double the size of the ICU and ER by next May. Just in time for you to get through the critical care internship...hmmm?

Corvallis is a great city! We moved here from Florida after finding it on a website called "findyourspot.com" - fill out surveys of what you like and it comes up with a list. The city is compact - only takes 5-10 minutes to get any where. Schools for kids are great, crime is super low. Downtown is groovy, lots of festivals and things for kids to do. The hospital in Corvallis is Good Samaritan - a level 2 trauma center with a busy cardiology practices. The hospital is undergoing renovations to expand the number of beds, so the need for staff will continue to grow. The staff was great to me there as a travel nurse - so much so that we stayed. Corvallis totally rocks for my family- 4 kids age 10-15.

Forget the whole psychology of color for a second. I have trouble with the other logistical problems associated with wearing white, like finding bras that don't show through them, or bleaching them enough to keep them looking fresh, but not so much that they yellow.... AARRRRGGGHHH!!! White was practical initially because at least you could tell if itwas clean and sanitary. That is all. There was no power in it, there is no power in it. If you want to be powerful and respected, act powerful and demand to be respected.

I'm not familiar with the Matrix... other than Morpheus & Neo, of course. Can you explain at all? Is this a regional thing?

Have you considered Ocala/Gainesville area? Ocala hospitals are down nurses right now. G'ville often has contracts - University of Florida there, lots of jobs posted. Hope this helps. :icon_hug: