BrookeRN2006

Are travelers finding steady assignments in this economy? I'm in San Diego and our hospital stopped taking travelers in 2008 and starting a big float pool, instead. Are you able to find steady assignments? I'm interested in traveling around CA and CO, possible AZ. Thanks!

Thanks for your honesty. I think I'll start traveling once I see that my hospital is hiring travelers again. Hopefully that happens soon...for everyone's sake!

OK, don't freak out! I worked on the floor prior to working ICU, and yes, the priorities are very different. If you are unable to get around having to float to the floor, I'll give you a few pointers: Unlike ICU, you don't need to know every single detail of the patients hospital story. Dates of extubation, dates of MRSA diagnosis, etc, are irrelevant when now your patient's priority is to get ambulating, eating, and going home. Pertinent dates, such as surgery dates are still important, though! Your goal is discharge, either to home or a SNF, or wherever. So, your big interventions are getting PT/OT to work with your patient, getting their IV meds changed to PO, d/cing catheters, making poopies, and things like this. Giving meds usually takes some time in the AM, so if you organize your day by getting report, reading charts--first day and the last 2 days of progress notes, diet and activity orders, grabbing one of their meds, and heading into that patients room for the assessment as well as morning meds. And grab the meds for the next patient, and go in an assess. And so on. If your patient is there for pneumonia (and no real health history), you can save time by using a focused assessment, instead of a full head-to-toe. Listen to lungs, take a temp, promote turn cough deep breathe, and have your CNA's check vitals, give meals to your patients, etc. Sounds like your cutting corners, which in a way you are, but if your patient doesn't have a neuro deficit, you don't need to do a full neuro exam! Anyway, hope this helps. Try to relax!! They can't make you resign!

Thanks for the information! Just wondering, did you mean the housing allowance is 900/wk or 900/month?? Is that the standard for most places?

As both a nurse and a clinical instructor, I recommend not saying anything to either staff or your instructor about the CNA. You are still a student and are not a hospital employee. The CNA definitely has senority over you. Just take 5 mins, wash off his wet spot, and change the guys gown! Half the time, when you are an RN, the CNA's don't have time to help anyway!

Good for you! Know your Swan numbers...I had a couple of multiple-answer questions, "You patient's SVR is 2000, PVR is 100, SV is 200...etc, would you recommend dopamine, a diuretic, or an anti-hypertensive"...stuff like that. Also, know which 12-lead is which area of the heart, "if your patient has ST-elevation in V1, what area of the heart is the infart occuring?" Good luck!

Has anyone traveled to either of these hospitals? Any feedback? I'm an ICU nurse and currently work trauma...I would appreciate any feedback you have to offer!