mam01010

UConn has better benefits because you would be getting state benefits. I believe the pay would be a little better at Hartford Hosp. I'm not sure what area you work in, but UConn has very few job postings. It would definitely be easier to get a job at Hartford Hospital as it's a much bigger hospital.

Hey, Thanks for your replies. Are Care Source and Maxim agencies? Is this more like private duty nursing? or visiting nursing? Temporary or permanent positions? PSA sounds interesting. Do you have to have pedi experience or will they train? Is there a ton of paperwork? I'm just looking for a different opportunity. I want out of the hospital. I want to actually be able to spend a little time with a patient and not run around like a chicken with my head cut off. Thanks for your input!

Hey everyone, I'm originally from CT and thinking of moving back there. I was just wondering if there is anyone who works in home care and can recommend a decent home health company to work for. Hospital nursing is KILLING me and home care has always appealed to me. I would also appreciate a quick run down of pros and cons in home care. Also, how many weekends, holidays and on-call time is involved? Thanks!

Wow, I could swear I wrote your post myself.... I am like you. I figured out a little too late that i DID NOT want to be a nurse, and i HATED working in the hospital. I forced myself to finish though because I felt like I had already gone so far. I would STRONGLY encourage you to do the same. As stated in previous posts, this is a great choice to be able to fall back on! You will always be able to get a well paying job which is important. Please bear in mind also that you can do many different types of jobs as a registered nurse. You do not have to work in a hospital if you don't like it. You can work for a pharmaceutical company, an insurance company, a doctors office, etc. And...even if you DO decide that you want nothing to do with the nursing field, you always have the flexible option of working part-time or per diem while you continue your education for something else. Also, don't let the nursing instructors get you down. Some instructors are great, but some have a way of making you feel like the scum of the earth. All the nurses I know felt this way in school. It's normal to feel nervous and like you don't know anything. Your real life training starts when you get a job. I am currently working as a travel nurse, and while I CAN'T say I enjoy hospital nursing, I do enjoy the travel aspect, the money, and the vacation time I can take between assignments. If you want to talk further, feel free to PM me, and please try to stick it out!!! Good Luck, Melissa

Hey, Thanks for the advice. I was actually just offered a travel position on Long Island. It's a short assignment (only six weeks) but I think I'm going to take it. I'm very nervous! Wish me luck!

Hey, I was actually just offered a short 6 week position in Long Island. I think I am going to take it. They do seem like they need help which I know isn't the best sign, but it's a short assignment. I will be getting 2 days of classroom/charting orientation then two days on the floor which I think will be okay. I am sooo nervous. It feels like a big step for me. Wish me luck....

Hey everyone, Just wanted to say thank you for your honest opinions. Guess we'll see what happens....

Hello everyone! I have a few questions and I would appreciate any feedback experienced travelers could give. I graduated with my BSN a couple years ago and worked as a staff nurse on a med/surg floor in a major New York City teaching hospital. It was a very busy and stressful environment (9 patients was standard on night shift, sometimes more if someone called out). However, I did catch on very fast and am a hard worker. I worked there for approximately 9 months and then took a new job in a fertility clinic for one year. I would now like to try travel nursing. Most companies do like to see at least one year of recent experience. However, I have found a couple agencies willing to try to place me. Do you think I need more experience before traveling? I really did not want to get a permanent position in a hospital as the idea of being stuck in one place is not appealing to me. Do you think I would be ok as a traveler despite having less experience? If not, are there any other options beside taking a permanent position in a hospital? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have not worked as a traveling nurse in NYC, but I lived there and was a staff nurse at New York Presbyterian (Cornell Medical Center) for a couple years. My advice: 1. Be careful with housing. NYC includes all 5 boroughs so if you want to live specifically in Manhattan (which I would definitely recommend) you need to specify that. Most areas of Manhattan are pretty safe but there are dangerous areas in many of the other boroughs so be choosy about your housing. 2. I found the med/surg units at Cornell to be horrendously staffed (9 patients is standard at night) I cannot speak for other units. Travelers on my unit also told me that they found Cornell to be a difficult place to work. I have heard amazing things about Hospital for Special Surgery, and mixed reviews about NYU. Good luck! NYC is a one of a kind experience!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, and I have to say it's an awesome resource for nurses/students! Here is my situation: I got my BSN at UConn a couple years ago. I moved to NYC for an exciting change and worked in a large teaching hospital for about 9 months on a med/surg unit. I then ended up working a fertility clinic for a year which was an interesting and much needed change. I have since moved back to CT and was looking into travel nursing. However, it seems I need more med/surg experience before doing that. I really didn't want to get a permanent position in CT. Does anybody have any suggestions for me? Should I bite the bullet and get a permanent position in a hospital? Is per diem nursing an option? Should I look into local agency nursing? It seems they also want at least a year of recent experience. I just hate the idea of being tied down to one facility. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks a lot!