blue26

Hi, So just wanting some sage advice as I have some reservations about a new contract I've been offered. Me: I'm a new traveler, just finished my first assignment and am on to the next. I have 7 years experience in med-surg, neuro and telemetry and have always worked in Oregon. I feel like I am a strong nurse with a solid base of experience but accustomed to safer ratios provided by Oregon. I have been offered a 13 week contract at Swedish Cherry Hill - Seattle on a neuro-telemetry unit. I have until tomorrow morning to decide whether to take the contract or no. I have some reluctance about this for a few reasons. +Nurse ratios are 6:1 at night, with a CNA loaded with 12 patients where I may be responsible for post angiogram monitoring, vasoactive drips, new strokes, CP etc. I have only ever worked in Oregon and the unit similar to this in my old unit was 3:1 or 4:1 at night. Is this crazy? Am I walking into an unsafe situation? +When I called the unit to speak with the nurse manager, the staff who answered the phone sounded really stressed out. +When asked to have time to consider whether to take the assignment or not, the recruiter was pushy and passive aggressive like a used car salesman. She would not send me the contract with the fine print to independently read over the weekend. She wants to go over this with me over the phone. The reasons I want to say yes: +Monetary Benefits: Better pay with this new company. It's only 13 weeks, I can do anything for 13 weeks theoretically right? Plus would be interesting to live in Seattle for a spell. +Swedish seems to have a good reputation. Magnet hospital. It couldn't be a totally unsafe burnout factory could it? +Sure bet. Say no and be in limbo until another assignment. Really I just California would just issue my licence already! There's a few red flags here I admit. But is this just the way it is with travel? I understand the recruiter profits from me taking an assignment. I understand nurse to patient ratios are different in other states. Will it be fine when I get there? (This first assignment went o.k. but I am still in the loving arms of Oregon.) Am I just anxious about moving state? Or is my gut right and telling me the truth that this is a bum deal? I would greatly appreciate any specific feedback on working in Swedish Seattle in general or if anyone has any insight on these feelings of anxiety and doubt. Thanks :/ Any feed back would be appreciated about the hospital. Wish I had posted this before the night in which I had to decide.

So I am expecting a call from the nurse manager there to talk about this and I am betting that because it is travel, orientation is likely to be minimal. Ill ask but my hopes are not too high. Btw your friend is very very very brave.

Hi, I'm a somewhat seasoned RN with 5 years Neuro and 2 years med tele experience. I have a strong background in basic nursing skills and assessment. I am willing and eager to learn new things and am looking to get my feet wet for the first time in travel nursing. I have been offered travel position for a medical oncology position for night shift. This sounds ok except for I have very little oncology experience. While I really want to get into travel, I have some reservations about taking an assignment in unknown specialty. Has anyone else had this experience? Is it a stupid idea to take the assignment? Should I wait it out? Will it be fine given I have a very strong nursing foundation or is it suicide? Appreciate your generous wisdom!