josefhrn

I was formerly a cardiac/tele/PCU RN. I'd suggest staying away from gossip, period, anywhere in nursing (that's a tip). When it comes specifically to cardiac nursing ... I suggest never overlooking something that may not seem important (whatever that may be to you, or anyone). Treat pain. Pain is what they say it is when they say it. Remember nitro, konw where it is and find out how easily and quickly you can get it ... because you will need it. Chest pain- Nitro, oxygen (don't be stingy, but follow your leaders on the floor ... charge RN) the physician will back you up, calling MD (with explanation of patients pain, description), morphine if they have it PRN ... if not ask for it. Don't be nervous. Chest pain usually is OK when it's treated immediately. MOST importantly know where the nitro is and be sure you have O2 tubing. Your job is to keep the patient alive ... not to worry about what another nurse may think of how you handled the situation. Your job is to keep the patient alive, and make the MD aware asap, when you know they will live. Stay cool and calm. If you know chest pain and how to deal with it you're golden. There are many different types of things you'll see on these floors, but you should learn by experience and trusted peers ... and especially trustworthy/respectable elders of the profession on your floor (in particular). Good luck, God bless, think "no stress" and maybe you won't have it!

Roll it up into your hands, the way you're going to put it on. Work it up the foot and calf the best way you can. Sometimes it won't look like you did it as perfectly as your instructor may ... but if you did it without hurting them ... you did it right. These are extremely important for circulation to and from the legs ... I was a cardiovascular RN and I can't stress enough the importance of these. -

That is a VERY good point! Joe

Hey bub, I just noticed, less than 1 year experience?! Come back and talk to me in 5 years.

Hey bub, you haven't the slightest idea about me so let's not go there. And yes money is a part of it, volunteering doesn't pay the bills. People who choose to accept low salaries contribute to lateral opression, go look it up ... bub.

Honestly, I think it's because many nurses don't demand a higher salary. Yes we are in demand and I think it's important we stand up for what we are actually worth. That's what I'm doing, and sadly for the nursing profession they may lose a great nurse, to pharmacy. Joe

First and foremost, med/surg is a specialty. And secondly it doesn't matter if you choose OR or NICU first or second, they are both completely different specialties. You just have to do well in whatever one you start with, then when you feel the time is right start applying to the other specialty. It may be difficult to get a job based on your experience and the change but an interviewer is more likely to hire you if they see an honest interest in a long term switch. Joe-Telemetry

Thanks for your input classicdame. I do see where you're coming from. I've worked with many travel nurses over the years and they know their stuff. Have a great day. Joe

So far it looks like Sacramento is going to be it for me just FYI. I've been a nurse almost 5 years. Have no children. My primary specialty is cardiac telemetry, but I have decided due to more opportunity and options I will take on medical surgical assignments as well. I'd like to keep in touch, I think it would be great to travel with someone less chance for loneliness when you know someone! And wine country is nearby! I have an interview tomorrow. I'll let you know more as to when I'll be going to CA, and/or if I won't be going there. Is there a way to communicate outside of the public board. I can be more specific with less eyes upon me :) Do you have kids? Joe

I would be interested in traveling with someone. I think the staff made a good point about picking the place for you then things will fall into place (to the first writer). To the writer I'm quoting, I'm going to NYC, Baltimore or Sacremento would you be interested in any of those places? I'm new to it too, my main concern is loneliness. And I thank the second writer for addressing that. Joe

Thanks for the thorough and confident answer. Very encouraging, and I'm sure accurate. Have a great day!

This is a "general" question because it also applies to permanent positions. I was told by two permanent recruiters that after traveling you will have a lot of difficulty finding a permanent position "because they think you could pack up and leave anytime." Is this true or are they just recruiters being recruiters doing anything they can to get someone (of course just as some travel companies are)? I want to know, has anyone here who has traveled for an extended period of time and decided to settle down had "trouble" securing a regular position, or do they look at a traveler as resilient, and fully capable of performing job duties? Thanks Joe:confused:

I worked in a "Jail" not a prison. There's a large difference. I would say you need to be very cautious about working for a company that contracts nurses to work in the Jail. I can only speak from my experience ... and it was awful. I loved the job, and working with the prisoners, it's the nurses and the nurse "manager (very underqualified)" that were the messed up ones. Now, working at a facility such as a state federal pen, you will probably have more of a chance to use your clinical skills. You won't get the clinical experience that you would starting on a medical surgical floor. That's the God's honest truth. All I can say is be careful. God bless the nurses, who are actually good people, caring for good people who have made mistakes, and wound up in jail. Loved the job, found very little professionalism in that environment. Joe, RN

Thank you Daisy for the answer, I guess I'll just have to see what happens when I speak to my recruiter come monday. Voldea, (I'll forget you hijacked my thread) but I'm not sure there's much you can do, from my limited understanding. It seems it's important to pick the best travel company you can to start. It's my understanding from being a staff nurse for several years that people don't want to get involved with a traveler based on the fact that they see so many come and go. I think you'll find "people out to get you" as with any business. There's money-making involved and people tend to get very jealous, offensive, bitter, etc. This image of the "nurse" as being compassionate to all, or Nightengalish is fake. People see you making a lot of money, they want to hurt that, they want to hurt you. QTIP-Quit taking it personally, go to the bank and cash your checks and laugh at them for being the bitter people, and I didn't mention very unprofessional, and laugh your way to cashing that check. I've also noticed over the years that nurses can be very unprofessional toward each other and that's very sad. My best piece of advice is to tell EVERYTHING to your recruiter, he/she may have run into this, possibly at the same hospital. Even if not, they know what's going on and they will be more likely to be on your side should anything come up. Just don't give up, that's what miserable people want you to do. Keep at it, end the assignment when you can ... and learn from it. You might need to put on a rough exterior, and just do whatever you can to enjoy life outside of work. Do the job, get the cash, and say adios. **Now for anyone else reading this I return the thread to my original question. Should Voldea need to have more answersw to her question I ask she start her own thread, thanks. So anyone still reading this please refer to my original question and give me some wisdom, especially if you have extensive travel experience. Thanks, Joe, RN

Does anyone with travel nurse experience have any information on this? I was submitted to 3 positions, two of which were on the list of current jobs available just yesterday. Now they are off the website. Is it possible my recruiter took them off so other recruiters within the company don't submit other candidates? Thanks in advance for your reply, Joe, RN