kdblueey

I am at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, and received three days. I think that might be because they have FIVE med/surg units. Since this is my second travel assignment, not sure if this is normal or not. I think it depends on who hired you, and the facility. But remember----if your a traveler, you are EXPECTED to jump right in, with little or no orientation. I NEVER hesitate to ask questions, no matter how long I've been there. And I know what you mean about not liking med/surg. It SUCKS, and is a very hard specialty. People are more ill than they used to be. Kathy (right now in the panhandle - for three more weeks )

I graduated from SCC in December, 1991. I did all of my prerequisites first because I was married and had a 3-yr old, and also because I chose to do it that way. If your planning on going full-time, it's a two year program, so it will take you two years. I don't know anything about your situation (married, kids, etc), but it's a tough program, so you might want to reconsider going full-time. I know they have done some major changes since I went there. You have to take more classes. It's a great school. They have a very high % rate of passing the NCLEX also. Hope this helps. I also heard the RETS program wasn't all that good also. Kathy (right now in the panhandle - for three more weeks )

The company that I am currently with was charging me for housing ($354 per week) + I had to pay back the monies they gave me to get from Ohio to Texas + $36 per week for medical insurance. At that time, my hourly rate was $39 (part of that was tax free). When I told them that I was going to go with another company for my next assignments, this is what they did. They stopped ALL deductions, but my hourly rate went down to $28.50. Since I no longer have a permanent residence in Ohio, part of the $28.50 is tax free (they said for meals/gas or something). So I think EVERYTHING YOU want as a traveler, in your 'package' will affect your hourly rate. (I'm STILL going with another company. If they would of given me back all of the money they took from me, I 'might' of stayed with them). Hope this helps. Kathy (now in the panhandle - but only for three more weeks )

Doesn't it depend on the institution? I worked at a rehab facility and everyone drew blood, LPN's and RN's. If a phlebotomist (sp?) can do it, why can't a LPN?

I hope that your not implying that working as a nurse on nights is quiet and boring. Maybe you just meant 'nights' in general. I have worked nights for sixteen years, and it is definately NOT quiet and boring. Naturally, it isn't as hectic as working days, but it is nonetheless almost as busy. I usually work my three 12hr shifts in a row. I will be 50 in May. I find that I can barely function on my third night. I have trouble sleeping anyway, and have to take 75mg of Elavil to just to get 'some' sleep. People who work nights are more likely to be overweight, because we don't sleep well, eat right, etc,., and it has been proven that we have a shorter life span. But I'll take nights any day. Kathy (in the panhandle - for three more weeks - )

Say what? That absolutely HAS to be a rumor:devil:. Who would suggest such a thing? LPN's are as good as a RN. LPN's have been getting a bad rap for years now. I have worked with some LPN's that were better than some RN's I know. Let me know if you find out any more info. I'm a RN, BTW. Kathy (Currently in the panhandle - for only three more weeks )

I have lived in Ohio all of my life. I do have to ask "Why in the world would you want to move from sunny CA, and move to a boring state as Ohio?" Why did you chose Ohio? I have lived in the following cities (Northern part of Ohio): Dayton and Xenia. Cincinnati is a very busy city and large. Columbus is the capital and is a nice place to live, from what I've heard. It's also a bustling city, as Cinci is. I went to Sinclair Community College. It is a two-yr school, and you get your Associates degree when your finished. Last I heard, it was only $40+ per credit. There is also Wright State University (if you want to get your BSN), and it is a 4-yr college, but I have heard negative things from nurses who have graduated from there. Their clinical experience seemed to be lacking, or wasn't sufficient. They might have changed their program though. Keep in mind that there are waiting lists here to get into nursing school, so check them out. Not sure how the list compares to CA. Are you in nursing school now? I am a new traveler and I am now currently in Texas. I am going to CA for my next travel assignment. Please PM me so that we can converse on CA and Ohio. I could use any information on CA. Thanks. Hope this helps, and I look forward to hearing from you. Kathy (in the panhandle - for three more weeks )

GREAT ADVICE, ERRNTRAVELER; It made me think too. Thanks. Kathy (in the panhandle - for now )

I LOVE YOUR COMMENT. HOW TRUE IS THAT??? Kathy (up in the panhandle - for now:bugeyes:)

You could always call the BON without telling your name, and then just ask them to see what they say. It probably WILL show up, but check with the BON and they should be able to give you advice. If you don't feel comfortable with calling the BON, try emailing them. Kathy (up in the panhandle - for now:bugeyes:)

I agree with Raindancer. It will solely depend on how comfortable/confident YOU feel with only one year. To be a traveler you are expected to just basically 'jump in' with little or no orientation. Hope this helps. Kathy (Somewhere in the panhandle - for now:bugeyes:)

Best bet would be to ask your travel company. They would probably have an answer for you. Some have 'guidelines' meaning you have to work so many assignments with them before you can take an actual position, but I don't know how they could stop you, unless it's in your contract. Kathy (High in the panhandle - for now )

There is a traveler that is working where I'm at who lives in TN, and has been traveling for five years with her husband. That's the whole advantage of living in a compact state. You don't have to go through all of the hassle, and expense to get your license in each state you plan on traveling too. I live in Ohio, and according to the OBON, they don't plan on joining the compact licensing. KY just joined this past October. Kathy

I would agree with Suzanne. Do your research before accepting an assignment. Travel companies are the one's who know the 'ins & outs' of hospitals, etc. Your company should of known how bad the hospital was, because they have a 'contract' with them. I would try my best to 'suck it up' and 'stick it out', or look into another travel company. Try your best and not let this ONE BAD assignment, stop you from wanting to travel again. And pass the word around to other travelers, so that they don't have to experience what you went through. Kathy

irst of all, where do you live? If you happen to be fortunate enough to live in one of the 'compact licensing' states, then your lucky. Some states are 'walk-thru' states, meaning all you have to do is walk-thru, apply for a temp license and then your set. But if you plan on traveling, it would be a good idea to look further into this. Check with the Washington Board of Nursing. They would be able to tell you what the process is, and how long it will take. I live in Ohio, and I had to apply for a 'temp' license in Texas. I got it within one week. My 'temp' license here in Texas expires 4/9, so before my contract ends (3/15), I plan on getting my permanent license. I am not one of the fortunate ones who live in a compact license state. Hope this helps. Kathy :typing:bugeyes::redpinkhe

I am in Amarillo, TX, and have met one traveler who her and her husband just had their assignment with Banner/Good Samarital Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. All I know is that she loved the hospital and would go with any Banner hospital in the future. She mentioned something about going through Banner instead of going through her travel company, and that their housing was great, etc....Sorry that is all that I know. Hope this helps.

Interesting............I was going to go back to school last year. Matter of fact, I took two classes, but for personal reasons, I had to quit. And my goal was to become a nurse educator. I read in one of the nursing magazines, and also heard from other sources, that nurse educators/instructors get paid LESS than a charge nurse in a hospital. That sort of woke me up. I still might go on and get my BSN, but it won't be to become an educator. Good for you for deciding to travel. And you have one up because you have someone to SHARE ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL ADVENTURES together. I wish I had, either another close friend (who is a nurse), or a friend. to travel with. No thanks on the husband part. I know another traveler where I am at, and her and her husband do it all together. I think it makes traveling THAT MUCH BETTER AND INTERESTING. Good luck. Your husband can do whatever he wants to do while your at work, or wait on your days off and enjoy the sites. Kathy

All I know about is this: If a nursing school pays for your education, you have to work for them for a specific amount of time. Never heard of anything that you mentioned. I do know that if you have more than one student loan, you can combine them. And with MOST loans, you don't have to start paying them back for six months (I think) after you've graduated. Hope this helps. Kathy

Sounds to good to be true for a med/surg unit. If it is, indeed true, I would do what Suzanne suggested, or take the position. Kathy

But you are new as a travel nurse, so do not base everything as it has been on these first assignments of yours, definitely not what happens most of the time. Be aware that if you are not willing to float, then it will decrease the number of contracts that you will receive, you just need to select an assignment where the floating is not done on a daily basis. ------------------------------------- I agree with your comments Suzanne. I'm only speaking about the assignment that I'm on. You mentioned above to select 'an assignment where the floating is not done on a daily basis'. Could you please respond as to how to do this/look into this? Thanks. Kathy (somewhere in the panhandle:bugeyes:)

If your a med/surg traveler, you are expected to float to any of the med/surg units. And even if the traveler has a contract, the traveler is the first person (on the base unit) to float. Since this is my first assignment (well, actually my third), the traveler always floats first. The agency/resource nurse can float anywhere in the facility, as this is their specific role. The nurse manager that hired me for this recent assignment has six units (four are med/surg, one is onc, and the other ortho). Even though my 'base' is oncology, I rarely work on that floor. I have seen some postings on some travel company sites that say "MUST FLOAT TO ALL MED/SURG UNITS". How would you recommend, Suzanne, that I try to get a travel assignment where I wouldn't have to float?? Thanks for your advice. Kathy

Your welcome. There is another traveler working at the same hospital, but she was hired to be a hospital float. She is counting down the exact days/nights for her contract to end. She has been so 'screwed' since she started. She might start out on one unit, only to be floated to another mid-shift. They even have 'cancelled' her several times (but her travel company still pays her guaranteed hours), only to call her back requesting her to come in. At first, my travel company told me the facility wanted ME to be a hospital float, for $2 less. I told them no. I'm glad, because I'm sure I would be as upset as the other traveler.

I agree with Valerie. When I was working as a CNA, I found myself asking the patient 'typical' RN questions, while doing their VS. I felt stripped of my 'nursehood' if you will...............when I was 'assigned' with another RN, I felt 'priviledged' to be able to give one of 'his' patient's medication. There's a reason why RN's have more education. And it's not to function as a CNA just because one floor refuses to change with the times. Team nursing does NOT, at least in my opinion. Kathy:redpinkhe:bugeyes::innerconf

When you talk to the hospital, ask them right out where you will have to float to. In all situations, the 'traveler' is the first person to float, then agency, then regular staff. I am a med/surg nurse on my first assignment in Amarillo, Texas. The nurse manager explained to me on the phone that she had five units that I would have to float to. On my contract it says: float where competent. When I got to my assignment, my 'base' was oncology, because my nurse manager told me that it was easier to put me on oncology's schedule, then to put me on a med/surg unit's schedule, because if I was put on a med/surg units schedule, then they would never 'let me go'. Since my contract started (Dec 17), I have only worked on oncology 3 or 4 times. Advice: If your at your assignment and they want to float you somewhere that YOU don't feel confident or comfortable, refuse. I met a traveler here in Texas. The house supervisor wanted to float her to ER, but she told them no. Make sure it's in your contract, as far as floating, and ask the hospital. Hope this helps. Kathy :redpinkhe:innerconf

How much are GPS, and how do they work (other than telling you how to get somewhere). Do they have to be connected somehow by a professional? Sorry for sounding so dumb. Kathy:bugeyes: