ERRNinMI

Hi all, I know this thread started several years ago but I was wondering if any CURRENT or recent grads had updated comments on this school's FNP program. I am already accepted to another school but cannot start until November so was looking for other options. I am in Phoenix area so would attend the online program. I have read many of the comments but since they are several years old I didn't know what may have changed. Thanks all!

Ned, a little bird told me you have your own travel company and have been a traveler for 20 years. Do you have a website or a previous post you can direct me to with things I would want to know? My first assignment was in 2011 and then I became staff so I've been out of the game for a minute. Thanks for your help!

Thanks Ned, I've traveled on the West Coast and am aware of the better pay. I'm more interested in experiencing other places at the moment. I am licensed in CA, MI, NV and AZ currently.

Because they use Meditech....1985 called and they want their DOS system back! Yuck.

So I am about to break up with my full-time Nurse Educator job soon and go back to travel nursing. I'm about 70% hating where I live (Vegas), and 30% not happy with my job, knowing I can make more money with less stress and hours as a traveler. Plus, I see it as a way to get out and experience other places without commitment. I was a traveler in October of 2011 which is what got me out the the West Coast and the best decision I made for my career. I'm kind of nervous to go back because I was really spoiled at my first assignment and it was a super nice hospital and I fit in perfectly. I realize it can't be like that everywhere. I'm looking at going to AZ first, I am already licensed there, and possibly establishing residency at the end so that it will be a compact license and then easily be able to go to TX and CO. What do you all think of that plan? Any one recently been to Phoenix, Tucson, Denver or Austin, I would love to hear about facilities, and experiences. TIA!

Hi Jaysie! I have had the task of redesigning our nursing orientation. I know you are asking for ED specific. How about ED Skills and Drills? I suppose you could survey your staff and get an idea of the topic 5 or 10 skills that need to be covered for new hires and set your day up that way. I have incorporated interactive activities, and learning boards, where for the learned board you make the board with all the info and then there is knowledge validation in the form of a quiz at the end. Any type of simulation activity is always good. We are working towards dividing our two day nursing orientation (corporate) into one content day and one skills day. For the skills day we will go over basic skills validations to try and off load some of the demand from the unit. Things like restraints, glucose meter, wound measuring and documentation, IV starts/care, etc. That way the unit orientation and skills can be more unit specific. I work in a centralized education department so I see everyone before they go to their specific facility. Best of luck! Would love to hear what you come up with!

Scripps in San Diego has a post on their career website for seasonal RNs. You may want to check that, I think it's something new they are doing to eliminate the middle man. I have heard good things from travelers there. Also Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs area hires ICU travelers every year. I was on contract in the ED there, and it's the best place I have ever worked.

I just posted this same thing! Where are you guys from? I'm in ER also...would be great to meet some other people interested in the same. I've spent the last 2.5 years in Cali. Great but I'm ready for a change. As posted above I would look at it as more of a working vacation vs. money maker. Feel free to PM me globetrotter and DM!!

I left as a travel nurse with no Level 1 experience, just TNCC cert. I specifically didn't get placed at a Level 1 facility and I am fine with that. There are many other ER opportunities that you don't need trauma experience for, although those would be the most exciting. Getting a contract in a place of interest is the best way to learn about that area. You are only committed for 13 weeks minimum and if you hate it, on to the next. Leaving my comfort zone and bubble was the best choice I made for my career.

Sounds like you have great experience for ICU travel. The more experience you have,the more marketable you will be. Like anything, change will occur and you will need to adjust to a new environment and experience. But in the end it will only help you grow as a nurse, not to mention you will meet some amazing people and hopefully experience things you may not have yet in your career! My advice is to research your agencies, and shop around. Research locations you are interested in and have the recruiter send you the nae of the facility so you can research it to see if it's ideal for them to submit your profile. Ideal meaning, somewhere you could work for 13 weeks minimum. Good luck!

Hi! Looking to travel to AK for May-July. Looking for opinions, comments, suggestions, experiences and anything you'd like to share. Currently in CA and ready to see more of the world!

Depending on which hospital you are looking to work at, call the hospital and ask who they have contracts with. The comment below about no jobs til January is not true, EMC ER hires travelers as early as October and through April due to increased staffing needs during season. Other departments I am unsure. I started as a traveler last year, was contracted October - April.

The first assignment I took stipend and was able to rent a room from someone for a total of 1200 for entire 3 months. 2nd assignment, I took the housing because I went through another company. This assignment I am taking stipend because I just signed a year lease on a condo. Check craigslist for roommate listings, sometimes you can get a winner. Or check with the agency because sometimes they are placing travelers in same area and maybe you guys can room together. The facility I went to in October hired about 30 travelers.

I spent the first 6 months in Rancho Mirage, which is right by Palm Springs. And now I have a contract in Moreno Valley which is in Riverside County. I'm 2 hours from LA, San Diego, and all the Beach Cities. Current contract is 1557/week take home. 1099 of that is housing and meals.......... You decide.

Are you working as a travel nurse? Check out traveltax.com for some good info on taxes. Do you have a permanent residence in Ohio? Unless you own the property it may not benefit you to keep your perm residence there. If you are going to keep your Ohio RN license, I would notify the board each time of your updated mailing address, or if you are having mail delivered to another Ohio address. Check out that website, it helped me a lot.

Seems reasonable, but like other posters depends on area and what the local pay is. I'm in Cali so this are a bit higher out here. The low hourly taxable rate kind of throws you off, but it puts you in a lower tax bracket. And until you sign on the dotted line, you are not obligated, but it might alter you relationship with that company.

8 years is a long time, but you are not married, and have no kids, and this is the perfect time to do it. If it has been a dream then go for it. Look at it as you are going for 3 months, (you won't realize how fast that goes by until you do it) - try it out, see how you like it. Skype with your man (not the same, but better than nothing!) If you like it and continue then have a conversation about your future together. No one, a man, parents, etc should hold you back from your dreams and life experiences. I've been traveling for six months and have had more life experiences and awesome times than I have had in the last 5 years. It was the best decision I have made and I have NO regrets what so ever.

Yea I'm not sure what the rates are either, but I get MUCH more per week for housing alone, it's always a flat rate and never based on how many hours you work. The location would be amazing I'm sure but I would look more into it before accepting.

I'm in CA now and have been for last 6 months. If anyone is in or around SoCal PM me!

Seems low, but I'm not sure of the rates in Idaho. I would def. inquire from some other agencies before taking it. I'm out in California (obviously much different) and my blended rate is in the mid 40's...

I just got my Cali License last week after sending my application in July. I had to re-submit my fingerprints, which extended the process. If you want to go to Cali, apply early because it took me 2 months to get licensed. Now I'm just waiting on a contract!

I am currently seeking a contract and am talking to three companies. I got a lot of useful information from this site, and based my decision on who to talk to from it: http://www.highwayhypodermics.com/ She also has several books out you can buy and read.

Same as saying get rid of the nurses, because really, doctors can do it all!!!!! As nurses, we would not be able to survive without ancillary help, although I find many of the techs I work with lazy and having to be told what to do, but it makes up for it when you have a tech working with you that's on it, and actually does their job!!

Can't say I agree either, we use NP's in the ED where I work, and they are a Godsend. They see and diagnose patients, prescribe, and do the same as a doctor. A doctor never sees the patient the NP sees unless it is something crazy, but there is always a doctor working over the NP if that makes sense. They even can do minor procedures like suturing. I think NP's are valuable, but I do believe there may be an over-saturation in the future. I just started grad school part time, been a nurse for 2 years, and I am going the education route, simply because I have no interest in being an NP or CRNA.

I'm looking to start my first travel assignment in CA in October! Yes I would love to be a part of this!