Jbeachgrl

Sorry, I didn't see a transplant forum so I had no idea where to post this! Has anyone taken the CCTC or the CCTN exam? (Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator or Nurse). I am sitting for the CCTC exam and do not know anyone who has taken it recently and just wanted some feedback on how difficult the test is, how you prepared for it, how helpful the detail content outline was etc. Also does anyone know what a "passing score" is for this exam? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hey.. In response to y'alls questions, my move went very well. I have been here for four months now and love it. It was really easy to get settled in and everybody has been extremely welcoming. I live in Hyde Park which is a cute little community with a shopping village, great restaurants/bars, and it is walking distance to the Bay and Bayshore Boulevard. Bayshore Boulevard is a road that runs along the bay that has a long side walk right on the water. It is a fun place to go running, walk the dog etc. I would definitely recommend Hyde Park however it is a little pricier that some other areas that are not as close to downtown. It takes me 3-5 minutes to get to work so that is a huge plus. Work is awesome. I work with wonderful people and most of the time look forward to going to work. I work in one of the specialty ICU's and there is always so much going on. Staffing in the ICU is typically 1:2 however very sick patients or patients on CRRT are 1:1. There are a lot of things TGH does differently from the last facility I worked at however I have learned to take on the changes with an open mind and am starting to prefer the way things are done at TGH. There is usually a free charge nurse and/or a clinician on staff as well so there are so many resources available. TGH also has great benefits, tuition reimbursement and CE opportunities. If you have specific questions PM me. The pay cut was a huge concern however it hasn't really been that noticeable. Florida has no state income tax so that adds a little extra $$ to the checks and the benefits at TGH are great so that also saves some $$. TGH also has a 19% nightshift differential or you can work the "weekends plus one program" and you make your base salary plus 33% extra for days or 52% extra for nights. Hope that helped!!

Hey... I moved here a few weeks ago and absolutely love it. TGH is a really good place to work and everyone is really nice. Good luck with your move and if you have any questions feel free to PM me :)

It does not matter on the brand of the scrubs as long as they are navy and they prefer non mesh shoes however few follow that rule... I have seen many nurses wearing running shoes or navy/black nursing shoes. As for reimbursement for traveling, you can expect that within the first 30 days. I received my $$ by the second paycheck so they are pretty good with that. I did the option for $1000 and the contract move and that worked out really well :) Good luck and if you have any other ?'s PM me. Welcome to Mayo :)

TGH has tuition payment of up to $4,000 a year. The FL base salaries are way less than I am used too, but the night shift diff. is 19%. If you sign on to work straight weekend nights it works out to be almost time and a half. Call a nurse recruiter there and they can give you much more information. I decided to get a roommate so that I could afford a nicer place in Hyde Park but if you want a really cheap one bedroom, I know Camben Baysides start at $590 a month. The apartments themselves are decent, they have a nice pool and it is about a ten minute drive to TGH. The only downfall is that it is not right downtown and to get anywhere you have to drive. Hope that helps :)

You're welcome :) Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions!!

I'm relocating to Tampa too and after several trips to the area to check it out, I decided to live in Hyde Park. I researched the area a ton regarding apartments and most are expensive but if you want a cheaper studio it is possible. I picked the area because it is 2 miles from Tampa General and there are tons of trendy restaurants, bars and good shopping within walking distance. Good luck with your search and grad school :)

Thanks for all of the responses! I actually found a roomie and a place in Hyde Park so I am super excited to move down... I grew up in Georgia so the hot weather doesn't bother me and I am going to love living so close to downtown and bayshore!! See y'all in July

Thanks so much :) I am hoping to move into apartments in the Hyde Park area because it is so close to work and looks like a fun area. Now I just need my FL license to get approved!!

Thanks, I'll def. apply for my license today then... I'll be working at TGH :) I'm very excited to start there!! Craigslist makes me a little nervous but I guess I'll give it a try!

After several trips to the Tampa area I have finally accepted an RN position in Tampa. I will be moving to the area in July and have found several beautiful apartments to live in however I am wanting a roommate :) Do any of you know of any Tampa roommate sites for young professionals? I have browsed a little at Craigslist and it's all pretty much renting from houses and I would just like to sign a lease at an actual apartment. Also how difficult is it to transfer my RN licesne to florida? Thanks!!

I've been wondering the same. Some of the websites seem too good to be true. Have any of y'all had any experience with this?

I am planning to move to the Tampa area later this year. I am a CVSICU nurse and have only a little over a years experience in the field. I am looking to stay in CVSICU and would prefer to work in a large teaching facility. Where do you recommend I apply or stay away from? Anywhere within 30 minutes of the Tampa area is fine. Currently I am considering Tampa General, Morton Plant & St. Joes. I want to be sure I am not missing anything before focusing primarily on these three facilities. Also, what are the interview processes like at these hospitals? Do any of them offer incentives like relocation? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

I moved up to MN to begin my career as an RN after growing up in the south. These winters are definatley ridiculously cold!!! I wanted to give the winter weather a try and experience midwest lifestyle however I hate having to take 10 minutes to get dressed in warm enough clothes to do something simple like walk my dog!! I am toying with the idea of moving back to the warmer climate and the slower pace of the south, but then again I may miss the beautiful snowfalls and the change of seasons that MN has to offer. Good luck with whatever you decide. I'm also trying to figure out if the winter is enough of a reason to leave the north!

When I first began nursing school my biggest motivator was the idea that eventually I would be able to travel overseas and share my skills/knowledge with others. I've been working as a critical care RN for a year now and realize that in order to pursue this goal, I need to be proactive about it. I have begun researching various organizations online and attended a couple fundraisers for various groups however I am not sure exactly how to get involved. Could any of you provide information about how you became involved with medical mission work, the costs/fees involved, the organizations you traveled with or just share your experience with me? I am most interested in this point in traveling to Africa however I would go wherever there is a need.

They are building a new hospital though I think which is why they will no longer be @ st. Lukes. Do you know anything about pay range/benefits/pt ratios for Mayo employees down there?

Can anyone give me any info at all about St. Lukes in Kacksonville? Thanks!

I have a year and a half experience in a cardiac/transplant ICU, can any of y'all give me a going range of salaries within either city? I am leaning more towards tampa than jacksonville, but I'd like to compare salaries in both cities. Thanks for your replies!

Mayo does not have mandatory overtime, but if you would like to work more than your FTE you can usually call staffing and they can assist you with getting additional hours. So far I have been offered overtime every time I have called to request it. Mayo is a great place to work :)

I moved to MN in June to start my nursing career in a CV surgery ICU and am hating the north. I want to either move to Tampa or Jacksonville after I complete a year at my current hospital. Do any of y'all have any recomendations as of which hospitals to apply and which to avoid. Also what is the pay rate like in both cities? Any info about life/pay/hospitals in these areas would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

I took my boards this morning (6/18) and now am freaking out. I felt like I was doing very well up until 75 and then it seemed to get worse from there. I had a bunch of random questions that seemed to be varying levels of difficulty however after question 75 the questions seemed to be more about education and I was guessing on most of the answers. I am 99% sure that I got the last question right though. Any insight??!

In Rochester, MN I will be starting at $26.21 /hr. The cost of living is pretty cheap.

I would apply asap as well... They have an easy online application and their HR is wonderful if you have any questions :)

That was very helpful thanks!!

Mayo Clinic is a wonderful place to work. I strongly encourage you to apply, and they have numerous oportunities for New Grads. They have two hospitals in Rochester, St. Marys and Rochester Methodist, as well as the actual Mayo Clinic building. I am also graduating in May and am planning on moving up there as well from West Virginia. I took a summer externship up there this summer and was just amazed at how wonderful everyone is up there. The nurses really enjoy what they do. As far as interviewing, they pay for your interview expenses such as airfare, hotel, food etc. They also provide a generous relocation and househunting package. I am not sure what the actual interview process is like however so I cannot give you any advice I'm sorry!!