Eppirn

When deciding my company, I went back and forth between two. When it came down to it, one company paid 100% housing, but about $2/hour less. The other company, had a private housing cost, but with the increase pay, the bottom line ended up being the same. Submit paperwork to a couple different companies and talk with BOTH recruiters. Mine were very frank with me, and in fact, when I pushed, was able to increase the base pay a little to entice me to go with her. But if you're looking for 100%, I know that MedStaff offers 100% private. Most of the bigger companies (RN Network, CrossCountry, etc), do not until you've been with them a year. The housing stipend is ALWAYS the better deal though, but truly it's great to not have to worry about WHERE you're going to live and such, until you get there. In Hawaii, I'm sure there are short-term housing availability, and it might be worth it to search the internet yourself and see what's out there, then take the Stipend to pay for it. Each company gets the same from the hospital, it's just a matter of HOW they dish it out to you! Good luck!

Forgot to add though... the door is not always open. Family must call back to see if it's ok to visit. We do ask them to stay out for intubations, line placement, report, rounds, etc... they just can't WALK in anytime freely. In fact, our current unit is LOCKED, and the door must be buzzed open by the receptionist.

Obviously most of you work in adult ICUs. I work in Peds ICU, and I've always worked with very liberal visitation policies. My last ICU was 9a-9p anyone over 16 that the parents permitted, but only TWO at the bedside at a time, and parent's couldn't sleep there. 24hours for parents (and usually anyone else, at nursing discretion) My current ICU is similar, except we DO allow parents to sleep at the bedside. Put yourselves in THEIR position. If your parent was hurt in an accident, would YOU like to be told you're only allowed to see them for 1/2 hour, 3x/day?? Wouldn't you want to be there? I think open visitation policies are a good thing, with structure. I've had head-injury children with ICP issues, with parents that sit at their bedside 24 hours/day. If they can't observe a quiet, no-stim environment, they're asked to leave. Point blank. Never have had a problem in the 9 years I've been a nurse. We recently had a child in a constant code practically, who we sat the parents out of the way, to WATCH that we were doing everything we could. NOT knowing is so much worse... imagining what might be going on. It's an inconvenience to YOU the nurse, to have family members nearby when you're used to having them only come in for short amounts of time. There is nothing I hate worse, than having a parent who STARES at the monitor constantly, noticing any little variance in HR or CVP reading. But honestly, I can't ever imagine being in their shoes!!! I hope I never have to. My mother has chronic cardiomyopathy. And I'll tell you kno, if and when she's ever admitted, I'll be DAMNED if someone is going to limit me to twice a day! Again though, those of you who want this closed visitation policy... it's the only thing you know. It's really not that bad when it's open. In general, people respect that you have a job to do. And when they don't, they're asked to leave by security. That is always the option! Just my 2 cents!

My lender's broker says that being "temporarily employed" for at least a year, is not a problem. The problem is that I've only been at this assignment for 3 months. They want proof of "permanent employment", and I doubt highly that CCTC can use those words. As for taking a permanent position at my hospital, that IS my intention, but I wanted to negotiate a vacation, and maybe a sign-on bonus, etc. I feel backed into a corner at this point, and know I lose ANY bargaining power that I may have. But, as a last resort, probably WILL do that. At this point, am trying to push the lender to understand my side of it. They've seen my W-2, my credit report, my previous employment history. It doesn't matter to them. We'll see what happens. Can't do anything until Monday anyway. Thanks. Good luck in Maryland. Maybe the housing market is different out there. Here in SoCal, in their eyes, it's like a "PRIVILEGE" to you, that they're selling you the property. The housing market is so different than when we lived in Ohio. Both price AND attitude. But... it's California. Of course, it has to be difficult!! Everything is!!! Thanks!

My husband and I "travelled" out to San Diego, and have fallen in love with the area. So, we've decided to stay and have found a GREAT deal on a condo (surprisingly out here!!). My lender is taking 'issue' with the fact that I'm a traveller and only have a "temporary" job. They'd like me to secure a permanent position at the hospital before approving the loan. I have great credit, and have been a nurse for 9 year, 5 of them in ICU. I don't think finding a permanent job is going to be an issue, especially here in California. So, has anyone else tried to purchase a house while on assignment? I can't be the only one. I tried to get a "promise" letter from the hospital, stating that there would be a job available once my contract is completed (the current one is until May 1st) as they are constantly asking when I'm going to go "core", but they are unwilling to do this unless I actually apply and complete the process. I don't want to do that yet. It's like being forced into a corner, and I lose all bargaining leverage for vacation/sign-on bonuses/etc if I take a position NOW under these circumstances. I told the lender that I DO have a professional, well-established job and if they have a problem with that, I'll look elsewhere. I'm waiting to hear back from them. Am I way off base?? Anyone have similar problems, experiences?? Thanks, Stefanie