Tooimpatient

I start my first travel assignment in a few weeks and I just have to vent a little.....maybe its the agency I chose, or maybe they are all this way...but first of all, once I signed the contract I received a list the size of Texas for paperwork to print, sign, fax back, all this documentation they need, drug screen, physical, multiple titers, TB skin test proof, w-4, voided check, tests to take, etc etc etc....I literally woke up one morning to this email and I wanted to throw my phone. I realize with nursing comes responsibilities and nobody holds your hand, you are the one required to do all this stuff with no help but geez.... Anyways I'm finally almost done with the list, but seriously it's been a pain trying to get ahold of all these records they need and stuff. Had I known I would have to do all that I almost would have backed out I think.... On top of that, I purchased a home back in November, I have 5 dogs and 3 cats (lol....so I love animals) so I was stressed about leaving my home behind, finding someone to watch the animals (I will be bringing two dogs with me) which leaves me with my final gripe of the day... HOUSING! It's extremely hard to find animal friendly places to stay. If you do find one, the rates are outrageous. I'm already taking a low hourly rate because I will be in Florida and well, they just don't pay that great there. Mostly going for the location/experience....so all that housing stipend that you "pocket"....nah, it's all going to rent in my case. So all in all, if I can't manage to find cheaper housing I am actually making LESS than I do at my staff job where I live....which I've already turned in my notice for because I was so dead set on traveling and excited about the opportunity. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced these doubts/worries and did it turn out ok for you? I mean as long as I break even I will be ok, I'm a nurse with 2 years experience in Med-Surg and I just want to try something new, be at the beach, just wanted to give it a shot. I'm pretty optimistic (believe it or not, judging by this post haha) and it takes alot to get me down so I'm sure I will adjust. It's just been the intial shock of it all. So there, I wanted to vent. Feel free to share your experiences/advice! :)

This is definitely something I plan to do! First time traveler and I start in 2 weeks and so far all that money I THOUGHT I would be pocketing.....going down the drain to rent!!! Everything is at least 2grand/month it's ridiculous! If at all possible I'm going to try and find a decent RV before I leave hahaha

Lololol

Do you guys find that night shift pays more? Where I work we make $4/hr more. For a night shift job in the Florida panhandle I was quoted $1149/wk that's including housing stipend and AFTER taxes on hourly ($650/wk stipend so hourly must be 18 or so) does that sound right? I just felt it was kinda low. A lower stipend than I was offered at a nearby facility and a little lower hourly also). It is hard to find housing, It seems like all the extended stay hotels are around $1500/month, that is including utilities but that takes a good chunk of my money. I just expected it to be a little more.

Thanks for your input! Good to know it wouldn't be a terrible example. I used it once but didn't get the job and I always wondered if that was part of the reason

I am thinking of taking a travel assignment at Gulfcoast in Panama City and I'm just curious if anybody has worked here, specifically in MedSurg and do you like it? Where I currently work we use Epic for all our charting, it's a relatively smaller hospital (as is Gulfcoast from what I've researched, correct?). Just curious how different it would be from what I am used to. What's the typical nurse:patient ratio and what do you see mostly on the floor? I'm from N. Alabama, most of our patients are in with pneumonia, CHF, COPD, ACS, etc. just wasn't sure if Florida would present new things like shark bites and jellyfish stings (kidding mostly haha)

Here's one I always struggle with, "Tell me about a time you've had a conflict with a coworker". I hate being on the spot and in some interviews I've quickly answered that I get along well with everyone and I am laid back, and honesty haven't had any conflicts. Truth be told though, in my nursing career I've had a conflict with one nurse when I was new, and she really did pick on me. I went to my manager about it and now we work together as a team when needed but we do not speak on a personal level or cut up like I do with the other nurses. But we do get along for work-sake. Would this be a bad response? I never know if they truly want to hear of conflicts or if they're looking to hear that you don't have any because you get along well with others.

Ok thank you :)

thanks! I downloaded it and it looks awesome, but I'm using the free trial which doesn't show much of anything. I went to purchase the full version but it doesn't show the price anywhere, just wants me to sign into iTunes and purchase. Any idea how much it is?? Lol

I've been an RN for 2 years now on the same med-surg floor at a relatively smaller hospital (270 bed level III trauma center). I have recently decided to travel, just waiting to get my license back in another state and I hope to be traveling within the month. Problem is, although I feel quite competent at my job, I have only been exposed to certain types of patients, and I'm sure while traveling I will encounter many things new to me that I'm not quite as familiar with. Also, I like to think outside the box, develop a better understanding of my patients conditions and why certain medications are given, how they work, etc. I've found that when I ask many seasoned nurses I work with the "whys and hows" there are many that state they simply "don't know". I don't want to be stuck in a routine of doing and not always knowing why. When nobody has the answer I research and honestly many of my answers come from this awesome website :) On a Medsurg floor we see such a wide variety of diseases and disorders, and I had to learn so much in nursing school, at such a fast rate that I simply can't retain it ALL and I do forget so much if I don't refresh myself. So with all that being said, does anybody know of a good website, iPhone app, etc, that would cover the majority of what you see on a typical medsurg floor. Something to maybe add to the knowledge I've gained, go into more depth, I just want to be prepared to be the best nurse I can be while I'm out traveling. Any tips will be much appreciated, thank you!

I messaged you but not sure it went through Rod. Pm me if you didn't get it

That's good to hear, I'll keep that in mind. I definitely want to know of any hospitals I should steer clear of

That's good to hear, keep it coming haha I want to know all the hospitals to steer clear of!

I will be traveling. Well that's good to hear, the only thing is so far when I've applied for certain areas it just names the city and not the specific hospital but obviously I would find that out at a time it is discussed with my recruiter. Right now I'm looking into several different agencies, I haven't read anything negative about Trinity so far so I may end up going with them. I've also heard good things about Medical Staffing Solutions. Who do you use? I've seen positions I'm interested in at Jacksonville, Panama City and Orlando. I definitely want to be near the beach. It's not so much about the money as it is the experience and location. I just want to be exposed to different things than what I normally see at my smaller hospital and be able to enjoy myself outside of work too :)

Just curious are you still traveling? If so have you come across any other good hospitals in Florida? I just applied for my Florida license today (Currently in Alabama) and after reading all the negative comments I'm a little nervous about it. Do many hospitals offer the Sun Chaser position? Any tips?