m_chatelaine

Been an RN for 8 years and 5 years in ER... Want to do my CEN and challenge the exam. I am planning on doing a review for wbout 3 weeks with just practice questions. Any tips? Is it really as hard as people say it is? What gives?

Try private clinics they pay a lot more! starting at $40/hr.

OK, I am biased because I am a registered nurse. I have worked in a lot of places including the US. Therefore, I have worked with different levels of LPN,LVN, and techs. Each province has a different scope of practice. EX in Alberta LPN's do everything the RN does excepts meds, some facilities all them to give meds, and in BC LPN's do aides work (which is changing). From my experience many of them wished they had done their RN. SO.....Don't waste any more time and go for it, you may get credit and preference in the program based on what you have done already. :balloons:

Is there a local Hospital in this area?

Yup, same for me. The hospital could not run without travel nurses. HA!

Actually, they are not all as informative as the other. There were frustrating times when I was gettng different answers to my questions. I would call them back and confirm what the last person had said, or ask to speak to your evaluator. When you EVENTUALLY get a hold of that person ask for their direct line. Sometimes they claim to have difficulty contacting people out of the country!:angryfire

I am en ER nurse, but would like to move on to a less "stressful" environment like Recovery Room, Intervention Radiology,Day Surgery, GI Clinics. Hopefully Sacramento has a some positions to offer. It looks like there are a lot of Hospitals there?

NCLEX is easy. Just practice questions on the computer at home and review your wrong answers. I was averaging about 61% on the test questions, but it took me 1 hout 30 minutes to do the test! It is all computerized through Pearson View Testing Centers which is another $200 on top of the already pain $200. You'll do fine!

Thanks for the reply. I think Sacramento is going to be really nice. I'll interview first then think about things. Hmmmmm. :idea:

Summerlin is a beautiful area!I visited the area last year, but what is the hospital like? Thinking of moving to LV.

Do not go with American Mobile, bad reputation. Although I am with them and I am happy. Depends on what you want. I hear Travel Nursing Solutions is great from some one who did research on travel companies prior to getting into it and he has been doing this for 5 years! Do your homework.

Yes your hourly rate sounds low, but your living expenses are subject to little or no taxes so in the end you may come ahead. Plus, you also get a living allowance per day,which may be better than an hourly rate. At my place nurses make between 23-36 per hour, but different bonuses, car rentals, and living allowances included. Choose what is best for you. You also may not be able to work in the same place with a different travel company. Check the contract.

Your recruiter should give you a sample of questions to ask.

Let me know where they are recruiting. I am experienced and looking for a new place to work anywhere in CA. Thanks!

Where do you work? I am planning to find a new area to move to in California? The highest pay I can find in $30/hour. I'm still looking around. Can you recommend any hospitals.

Hope it all works!

Don't forget to apply with the CGFNS for a visa certificate. $400 CAN.:smilecoffeecup:

Yes, I had the same frustrations, but worse. You DO NOT need a SSN to apply for CA TEMP LICENSE. You do however, need to have applied for a temporary license, then when you arrive in CA you go to get a SSN then send in a form for Permanent license with the SSN on it. Make sure all forms are filled out correctly and you send n your fees at the same time. Just keep calling them over and over!!! That's what I did and the operators started to recognize me.HAHAHAHA. It is all worth it because taxes are 25% instead of 37% in Canada. :smilecoffeecup:

Thinking of moving to sacramento? Can people recommend any hospitals? Mercy? Sutter? Which areas are nice to live?

Thinking of moving to California. Where do you think is best to relocate to? Pay? Working conditions? and Cost of Living?

I am Canadian and I just came to Palm Springs on a travel assignment. YES! it is a HUGE headache to reg with CA. I recommend. 1) Reg with Minnesota- it takes 1 week to get permission for an NCLEX about $100 Reg. NCLEX is about $400 2) Start working on CGFNS Visa Screen Certificate (forms to verify education are required) while waiting Reg with MN approx $400. 3) After passing the NCLEX - results in 2 weeks. Reg with California by endorsement, which is different than most states. It is required to submit 2 fingerprint cards, Fees and forms to verify your education. Apply for a temp card which should arrive in about 4-6 weeks. 5) The you are off!!! This is a huge process to come work in the US. CA is difficult to register with, but keep calling and persuing it and it will all work out. A tip is that when you do ACLS or BLS or PALS try to do them with American Heart Certified institutions or in the US because they are required to work in the US. Also if you try to first register with California through licensure by examination it will take from the time you apply 6-7 months till you hear back from them. Hope this helps. It is a lot of work, but in the end you will make A LOT MORE MONEY AND PAID WHAT YOU ARE WORTH FOR ONCE!!!:typing :typing

Let's see what everyone is doing here. I'll start... Palm Springs 36/hour average rate. Any other takes willing to post and brag! :lol2: :lol2:

Heard that you work your butt off in kaiser hospitals.

Any advice on what working in Palm Springs is like? Eisenhower Med Center? Living? working conditions? Things to do?:smiletea2:

What do you mean "outside the door there>>>"?