julzhere

I used Nurses in Partnership having seen them on the top 10 list from highway hypodermics and I got the worst assignment at the worst hospital I've ever had - very unsafe. And I had more than a few issues with NIP themselves and have not resigned with them. Frankly, I haven't found one agency that is completely good - they all have issues and some are worse than others - it's a crap shoot. Good luck.

Interesting, 8 months between messages and things haven't changed a bit. Intelistaff/MSN is still not the place to go. And, honestly, the more I travel the more I realize recruiters are like car salesmen - they are your best buddy until you get signed and then they kind of fall by the wayside. Once they get their commission they're happy. I've learned, the hard way, not to put so much faith in them and to watch out for myself more. If I had more ambition I'd try doing the traveling on my own without using a company, but I don't feel like going down that road so I just try to do the best for me. I have noticed, that the housing benefits are not as good as they used to - my first travel assignment gave me an furnished apartment, including the housewares package and utilities paid, but these days I'm finding more of a stipend for utilities and no houseware package - you either have to have your own or "rent" it like I'm doing now. Anyway, I'm rambling. Even after everything I said, I'm happy to have a job right now - been traveling since Dec '08 and hoping to continue through the end of next year - just a matter of which agency I put my "trust" in next.

Huh. Sounds familar. You wouldn't be in Englewood CA would you?

Ahhh, I remember the days when I thought 30 was old. Now I think 54 is young. You have a lifetime to enjoy your nursing career. Good luck with everything and enjoy - it is a rewarding career choice.

Very nice for you shelbias. Can't beat that. Do they want to work for them when you complete nursing school? Probably, but if a good hospital then that's even better for you because you'll probably be high on the list for hire when you become an RN if they invested this much into you. Good luck with everything.

The agency I'm working for is giving $1600 for Inglewood. Other areas that are nicer will probably go for more.

Your right, pooptacular, bartending does pay better. I also did some of that, as well as working at the hospital while going to school, and it was very helpful and a nice distraction from the whole "medical" thing. There are times, not often, but occasionally, as a nurse that I wish I was back in that bartending job.

What are they offering you?

Good answer Smartin13. Where I went to school, in northern MN, I had to get my CNA license first, and worked at the hospital in town (also did clinicals there - only 1 hospital) while I went to school. They were very flexible with my hours, knowing I was in nursing school and I got my first job as a nurse there when I was done. Could always pick up extra shifts when I needed to or between semesters and the experience working on the floor, even if it wasn't as an RN, was very valuable when I started clinicals and started as a nurse. You get the experience working with patients and knowing your way around the hospital, and it's very helpful when you start as a nurse.

You know what they say - you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but . . . My family, as with many, is not the most functional but they/we are all about supporting each other - even if we don't agree with what the other is doing. I can't imagine anyone in my family every treating me that way and I'm so sorry for you that it is happening. But the postings above are right - stay away from the toxic people. Nursing school is hard enough with support, without it you will really be struggling. Surround yourself with the people in your life who do support you - that's who your "real" family is. Good luck and don't stop believing in yourself.

Yet another example, and there are many, of the "guys upstairs" coming up with policies to control what goes on "downstairs" - when they have no clue what goes on and what we deal with to just try and take care of patients.

I started working for MSN just before they merged with Intellistaff. Once they merged, everything went down hill. Did some per diem work for them and one local contract in Minneapolis, but won't work for them again. Talked with their staff many times after the assignment was over about why I won't go back and she was very nice and helpful and agreed that they had a lot of issues to resolve. Just can't get myself to deal with them again - and the benefits they are getting rid of can be found at most other companies. Run while you can!!!

Whatever you do, don't take a contract at Centinela hospital in Inglewood. I've heard good and bad about Kaiser too - mostly bad and am reluctant to take a contract there - but this hospital. OMG it is horrible and I'm already counting the weeks (will finish my second one tonight) until I'll be done. But, if there's nothing else out there I may have to extend. I'm looking into other states though - CA is not really were I want to work, but I have family here so it works out. Good luck.

I'm working a contract now that took me 2 months to get and is not at all the "ideal" contract. The hospital is unorganized and for lack of a better word - "HORRIBLE" and I've found myself in a position where I don't have a choice but to stay. It is very difficult, but so was being without a job. I love traveling, but I'm a little worried about what this year is going to bring. I will probably be able to extend at this hospital but OMG, what a nightmare. I'm hoping that there will be more open contracts when this one expires in March. Major bummer!!!!

You might find an agency that will hire you, but doing agency work with no experience will be very challenging, and probably not a good idea. Even with experience, it's not an easy thing to do.

I'm working with a new agency out of CA. Haven't done an assignment with them yet, but I'm already very impressed with my recruiter and her attention to me. I know part of this is money in her pocket, but she's really been working hard to find me something and always receptive to my calls - gets back to me right away if I leave a voice mail, etc. I'm hoping she finds me something so I can continue with her and see if she's as great as she seems to be. This is a bad time though - I'm beginning to get a complex about not finding something. Hopefully things will be better in January. Good luck to you.

Doesn't sound odd at all. Nice to hear. Good luck with your studies.

Mossback - I feel the same way about the focus we have as older students and, at times, the 19 years old would get to me because they could pull As after studying 4 hours while I was spending 4 days to squeak out a B. But I got to know quite a few of them and was able to share a lot of life experiences with them and even become a Mother figure to some - which I enjoyed.

Hmmm. Not a big fan of Florida anyway (no offense) and have no desire to work there, and seeing the nurse to patient ratio makes me realize another reason why I don't want to work there. Way to high and not safe, especially on a cardiac unit. Good luck to you RNs in Florida, and the patients too.

I started prereqs at 45 and graduated at 50. Best thing I ever did for myself and glad I didn't think I was "too old." Go for it - you'll do great and you won't regret it.

AZMOMOF2 - You are welcome. I remember that excitement and I excited for you too. Best of luck. Although AZ is not my favorite place - nothing personal, I'm not a desert person - I do have friends there and may end up working a contract some day (in the winter). Who knows - maybe we'll work together some day. Study hard but don't forget to rest that "old" brain once in awhile.

What is the nurse to patient ratio in New York?

I've done 5 travel assignments - 3 local, so I took the housing stipend, one where I lived with family (took the stipend) and just one where I got the apartment. My apartment came with everything. There was a delay in getting the furniture, so I arrived before it did by a few hours. However, I went to the grocery store and when I got back I had a fully furnished apartment, including dishes, pots, pans, etc., all the kitchen things I needed. A small sample of about 6 different cleaning necessities, TV, linens, vacuum, broom, mop, pail, laundry basket - everything. Some food samples - popcorn, coffee, cookies, etc. I only needed a few personal things - small containers for food, things like that that I've kept and will use the next time I travel. You shouldn't have to provide all that and I would only work for an agency that does. I also had a washer and dryer in the apartment. A BIG MUST HAVE!!! This company also reimbursed me for my license, because I got it to work this assignment for them. Yes, they are all alike in many ways, but when you get to know "the system," getting more and more perks is what it's all about. If they want you - they'll give it to you or pay you for it.

Santa Barbara is nice and not too far away. And on the other end of the state, San Diego is nice too.

I was born in Minnesota and moved to CA when I was 10. Lived there 36 years before coming back to MN. I love it here and even though I've only visited Florida once, I have no desire to work or live there. To me it's a humid California - crowded, expensive, and hot. Maybe not smoggy like CA but humid with many bugs and slimy, fast moving animals (I'm talking about the lizards and alligators and stuff). As far as the low IQ and everyone being poor remark, that comes from someone who is pretty ignorant themselves. You'll find those things in every state, to some extent. I know we have our share of "sqeetoes" in MN - yah, you betcha, but I'll take the change of season and beautiful lakes and greenness anytime. To each her own though - it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.