dpipes44

I decided to start the program even though there were few reviews. They are accredited by everyone so, little to worry about there. I will be done this term. It has been a good program. LOTS of writing though. I am a travel nurse and have been able to take care of everything no matter where I was living. If you are a Florida resident you can't beat the price. If you guys have any questions feel free to PM me.

My girlfriend and I travel together. We are both RNs. We just took our first assignment in VA. I take the housing and she takes the stipend. The stipend seems to be much less that the cost of housing in the area. Our rent is about 1600/month. Her stipend is $1200. I think that is too low. What do you guys think. We are thinking of taking our next assignment at Stanford University Hospital. I am using a different company this time. Their stipend is 1800 for Palo Alto, Ca. I think that is low for there too. Is just the way it is or should I press them harder for more money? Thanks Anthony

What appartment are you in? How's it going? My girlfriend and I are heading to the ED in Nov. Sorry!!! PM me if you want!

I thougth COBRA was very expensive.

We are still working now and will be until we leave in Oct. We were honest about our intent to travel. They are all quite supportive. I told them we are going to travel for a couple of years to save cash for a house, then return to the area to work again. The most important thing is to not burn bridges. You never know what the future will bring. If you are honest with them I'm sure they won't bad mouth you. And I don't think they can anyways. They might get mad if all of a sudden they get a call from a agency about you. I say let them know. Who have you been looking at as far as agencies? I'm down to RN Network and Ogrady Peyton. I know Ogrady Peyton doesn't have the best reviews but the recruiter I spoke with there was the best one I've spoke with. I'm also looking at STAT RN as well. I'm narrow it down to about three and let the wheeln' and dealn' begin.

What do you guys do for Health Insurace. Some travel companies have a 30day wait for insurance to kick in. What do I do? Risk it? I personally think it is absolutly crazy to travel hundreds of miles, then move your stuff without health insurance. Thanks, Ant

I am also thinking about traveling with my girlfriend (both RN's). I think of it as buying a used car. The companies are tring to make money and your trying to get it. I have made a list of all the benefits and costs. It will be a nickel and dime game. Do as much research as you can. I've been all over these forums and the internet. I also talk to any travelers in my hospital. The best advice I have gotten so far is to make sure you like your recruiter. You can wheel and deal for the rest.

ERI SUCKS!!!!! I think they make deals with the schools, under the table deals. It was required for my class too. It was no help at all. Sorry, you could make fake eyes and sleep through the course.

If you use a pulse ox that beeps, feel the radial pulse at the same time. If the pulse goes with the beep you should be OK. I try not to rely on monitors alone.

I have spent time reading through other posts, but really haven't found the info I'm looking for. Has anyone been through or in SPC's online RN-BSN program? How is the course load? Do you like it? Has anyone gone on to get their Nurse Practitioner? Have you heard any negative about it. Thanks, Anthony

I made the transition from Paramedic to RN. I was a medic in the street for 7yrs before I did RN. I'm not sure you will benifit much from going to the 2 programs that close together. You won't have the time to get one job mastered and then you'll start another. You eed to be an EMT for at least a year before Medic school. That expeience is so valuable. Could you get them both done? I say yes. Will you be very good at either? Probally not. Good luck. Get some experience in either, fet comfortable the move on.

Let me add a little so you know where I'm coming from. I had a minor(17y) that was left at a hotel with an older brother(25y). The father left the day before to go home(another state where they live). The older brother found the younger one smoking and drinking at the bar at the hotel. The older brothers wind up in a fight over the incident. No charges against the older brother. There were issues on where to discharge the child. Both parents are from out of state. The father's brother live in town. The father wants him discharged to the uncle. The mother wants the minor to go to detox. Oh yeah the child lives with the father. Mother says they were to have an intervention (ETOH abuse)for the child at home 3 weeks prior. It was canceled due to child's illness. I refered it to our Social worker in the ED. Now my question is does my responsibilty end? Let me know if you want me to go on.....

I know that obvious abuse needs to be reported. What to do with those grey areas? Can DCF be used as a reference? Does refering the issue to a social worker in the ED cover me as the RN? I would like to find information from DCF to support any comment. I just had one of those crazy nights last night. With an issue that would take me hours to type out. I just want to know where my responsiblity ends. Any help would be great!!! I'm in FL

Of course the person makes the RN. My point was that the Pt contact will help make the transition easier. The number of people from the FD around here that don't finish the Excelsior is higher than the number that do. A handful that I know of. (Close to 500 ff in the area) And I still believe the transition from a "street medic" to a hospital RN is a difficult one. I'm very proud of you, but it sounds like you have been in the hopital for sometime That makes a GIANT difference!

My advise to you is to go to school for your RN. I was a medic for 8yrs and the transtion was difficult. I have alot of Pt care time and teach for an EMS program. It is easy to be an RN but it is very difficult to be a really good one. I think the extra Pt care time you will get going to school as opposed to a one weekend clinical is priceless, but you do want you want. Just remember there is no easy way to get your RN it all takes hard work. Good Luck Anthony