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I am an experienced surgical nurse who is going to be transitioning to the ICU in one month. I have been studying different critical care topics to prepare, and there is one that I just can't grasp. I have been studying PA catheters for a while now, and for some reason the concept isn't clicking. I understand that it helps monitor the different pressures, but I just don't understand what those pressures mean, and how they change the course of treatment. Could someone describe a patient case where a PA catheter was placed, and what the different readings were, and how those changes therapies. What I understand is that the different PAWP readings help differentiate between fluid overload and HF. I think hearing about a case study on a patient would help me extrapolate all of the information to truly understand the monitoring/nursing responsibilities. Any help is appreciated!!!

Thanks NedRN!

Ok thanks. The only answer I couldn't find was about the difference between traveling within a city, but just different hospitals, or from going from city to city. Is that decided on by the nurse or the agency's availability?

I am a surgical RN, who has had 14 months experience on a busy surgical floor who is trying try decide what to do next with my career. We have not had any travelers on my floor, so I have not had the opportunity to pick their brains. My general questions are: How much experience did you have before you began traveling? What agency do you work for? What agency have you enjoyed working with? How do the assignments work? I have heard you can choose to travel within the same city, and have shorter assignments, but I have also heard that you can work from city to city and the assignment is 6 months or so. How do you feel that you are treated on the floors? Welcomed warmly? Which states/cities have been your favorite to work in? I have a dog, and would prefer to live alone. Does the housing typically accommodate pets? Any other general advice would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

Like others said before me, I think the limit is only on a time period. After a certain amount of time, you will probably be able to apply to more. I, like you, have gone with the shotgun approach with no luck at all!

This was wonderful to read. You are right, it is so important to remain positive because being negative won't get you anywhere. What kind of floor is your new job on? Congrats!!!

I agree! HR offices get swamped with applications. My friend had an interview at Children's Hospital Boston, where they told her that 4,000 nurses applied to that position! I would suggest applying to new grad programs, there are tons all over the country that offer placements in specialties, such as ICU. You may have to relocate, but if ICU is really your dream, it is definitely a possibility.

Congratulations, that is such amazing news! You are making our class of 2012 nurses proud! Now go out there and show the world of nurses all of the amazing things that the class of 2012 can bring to the nursing community!!!!

I am going through the same process! I graduated last week, and am currently in the Anderson review course. Could you tell me a little bit more about the "ati predictor" I am unsure of what that is? Is it a sort of practice test?

Out of the 3 people I know personally who took the NCLEX, they all went to 265 and all passed!!! Keep your head up and keep us posted

Carrig RN,I am so happy to read that someone truly benefitted from this program! I would love to hear more about your experience in detail. There was a program offered this spring for May 2012 graduates, but it was only listed to internal workers. On may 22, it was posted externally on the MGH website and I applied! The job description stated that all applicants must have experience in an ICU either as a CNA or in a senior practicum (which I did). From the description, it sounds incredibly supportive to the nurses going through this transition. I LOVED my clinical experiences at MGH (medsurg 1/2) and would be so honored and privileged to be a part of their talented and caring nursing team. I am new to this site, and don't really know how to go about communicating with a single person. But, any help/advice/stories/experiences you could share with me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)

I am the first nurse in my family! Everyone on both sides is a teacher (mom, dad, cousins, uncles, aunts) except my older brother who works in marketing. The only other nurse in my family is my mother's cousin, who I have met twice! Hopefully some other nurses will follow after me :)

I would volunteer at a hospital and eventually try to work as a nursing assistant in a hospital. That is definitely a very smart move to get "your foot in the door". Although, depending on where you live, it can be very difficult to get a nursing assistant job too. I applied for 5 months and applied to 60 jobs, only got two interviews and got a job offer after the second interview. Working as a nursing assistant hasn't brought me any specific job opportunities as a nurse, but I have gotten such great experience, so I would definitely recommend it!

I went straight to nursing school from high school, and I didn't know too much about the specific roles and responsibilities about nurses, but I knew that they cared and showed compassion. Throughout school, I learned about all of the duties of a nurse, but the original idea I had of nurses never changed. We ARE here to care! I am so happy that this is the path I chose, I could not imagine anything else for myself.

I am from Boston, MA and the outlook here is "getting better". A lot of the larger hospitals are not hiring new grads (MGH, Brigham and Womens, Beth Israel) unless you worked there as a CNA, and even then it can be tough. Out of the 105 graduates in my class this May, I think 1 student currently has a job, and most of us have been looking since January. But, I do believe that nursing homes/long term care/and rehabs are definitely hiring new grads. Experience is experience! I am definitely keeping my options open, I have no problem with any sort of environment, as long as I get to be a nurse!