kimee

Good advice I received while still Nursing Student "get your med-surg" year. The year I spent working Neuro before going into Psych was invaluable...my assessment skills are sharper and I can truely tell the difference between delirium and delusions! Mentally ill vs. Alzheimers/Parkinson's Dementia...and whether a seizure is real or "pseudo". I also gained skills in labs values, drawing blood and IV's (that I have had to do very seldom, but valuable asset as traveler). Don't under value the experience you gain - in any department...it will only continue the education you have just started. I am still Learning. Everyday. Everywhere. And after 10 years, I am just a beginner.

I agree completely with IMustBeCrazy. I have worked ER-Psych, and know how vitally we are appreciated. However, I do understand where the new grad's thinking may come in....They have closed State Hospitals all over this country, believing erronously, that the mentally ill could be better served and cheaper too, in the private sector. This has lead to the increase in the homeless population, as well as our jails and ER's....just check the prison population in last 20 years....if you check the states that first closed their State Psych facilities...you can follow the trail... Sad but true. I know that fellow psych nurses at our State Psych Hospital (which closed in 2001), now work in the jails and prisons, as well as the ever changing "private behavioral health hospitals" that have changed management like some of our Nursing homes! Will there be a continued need for "the psych nurse"? Yes, Definately. But her/his job may not be in a psychiatric facility...but the Nursing home, prison, jail or yes, even your local ER.

I have traveler - friend in the area. And passed thru few weeks ago from California to Joplin, MO area... It is not large city, and very navigatable (we spent night there, and took back roads very easily). Are you taking assignment, or just checking it out?

Yep, been there and done ALL THAT. I have taken several assignments to California from Joplin, MO area...its a good three day drive. I flew the second time and my travel company picked up the cost of rental for my entire (3) contracts that I stayed...then I drove a U-Haul home with my goodies. I would suggest the Flying and car rental the first trip - you can always decide to buy a car and drive home (when you have more money and time). I finally bought a truck...I tend to collect goodies where ever I go!

I had very good results with roommates.com. However, I have only chosen this route once with good results. I have opted for the apartment the rest of the time...initially figuring if I want to stay in the area, I can meet the people ahead of time when I do the roommate search.