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Hi Retina nurse, that's great to hear there are NPs in ophthalmology. Ophthalmology actually didn't work out for me. In the end I accepted a job working for a spine surgeon. In clinic and OR. í ½í¸„I am really enjoying working in a specialty. J

I am pretty stoked about the opportunity!

Thank you for the positive feedback. I forgot to mention the job is in New Mexico. Here is the BON scope of practice link: http://nmbon.sks.com/uploads/files/NPA.pdf It clearly states : B. Certified nurse practitioners may: (1) perform an advanced practice that is beyond the scope of practice of professional registered nursing; I think I should still call the BON to make sure I am okay from the legal stand point. From what the ophthalmologist is saying so far I would be starting from scratch and orientation will be at least 6 months. That's why I am worried it is completely out of scope but NM seems like one of the most liberal states with NP laws.

Hello all, I am graduating this May with an FNP and have been offered a position working in a ophthalmology clinic. It seems completely outside of my scope of practice. I haven't had any clinical hours or much didactic time learning about eye disorders other than the general conditions. The ophthalmologist is willing to train me for at least 6 months and whatever training is needed to be a skilled ophthalmology NP. I have heard though that on the job training doesn't count. I would love to take the position but how can I make sure I am covered from a legal aspect? What does an NP have to do if they want to specialize in something and they have no educational experience? CME's? Certifications? I am not sure where to start! If anyone has experience with going into a specialty please give me some advice. Thank you in advance, Jelena

Yes it's very sad that is happening all over the nation. I worked in Palm Springs, Ca for a few years and we had travelers come from the south. It was interesting hearing their stories. Just because there are a lot of nurses doesn't mean pay should go down. If we base pay on amount of nurses, what is to stop it from going down to minimum wage? We shouldn't settle for lower pay just because they have many applicants.

Hello fellow nurses, Well I am having a very challenging job search this time around in Phoenix. In 2008 I started as a new grad at the VA with close to 30/hr with great benefits. After 5 years of experience, I was offered a flat rate 33/hr per diem, no benefits position at St. Joes in downtown. I couldn't believe it! During my job search I'm seeing pay in the high 20's/hr. Did the cost of living go down in 5 years? What is going on? Nurses please don't accept these low balling job offers! You are bringing the pay down for everyone. What's everyone's take on this? Jelena

Eisenhower is a nice place to work. Most of the patients are very nice but you will have some that think they are more important than any one else because of how much money they have. The city is full of expensive resorts and country clubs. The city gets more exciting when the busy season comes. People from LA, San Diego come to Palm Springs over the weekend to get away from the busy cities. Then the snow birds from Canada and the colder cities vacation for the winter months as well. Coachella Music Festival, Stage Coach, BNP Paribas Tennis tournament, golf tournaments, White Party, many other festivals happening. Other months I wouldn't recommend staying for anyone younger than 30. I'm 27 so it has been a very boring summer. When my boyfriend and I go out anywhere we are surrounded by retires. I love the older population but after a while I miss being around my own generation! Good luck with the job! Message me if you have any other questions. J

Hi I live in Palm Springs and work for Eisenhower Medical Center. I was in your position a year ago exactly so let me make it easy for you! All travel jobs start in January. You won't find a travel job right now in Palm Springs. Hospitals aren't in need of nurses until January-end of April because it is our off season right now. I was looking for a travel position here last year from july-september and nothing came up. I took up a permanent job instead with EMC in September. Then in January the hospital hired a bunch of travel nurses for the busy season. I'm not sure which agencies but there are a lot of different ones. Lucky for you EMC just gave raises for the first time in 3 years so it may actually be worth it to take up a travel position. They were paying their experienced staff ICU nurses $ 35 an hour blended rate until this month. So everyone is a lot happier now with their raises. I would choose EMC over JFK or Desert Regional Medical center. EMC is trying to become magnet so they are strict on their patient/nurse ratios. Tele nurses get 4 patients and Medsurg 5. Good luck to ya and message me if you have questions! J

Hi Everyone, I wanted to know if being a GI Rn involves lots of heavy lifting? I'm working on a stroke/telemetry floor now and it has taken a toll on my back. We turn heavy patients every 2 hours, a lot of total cares. I'm looking for something less demanding on my back. Thanks! J

I found this website to be helpful. It lists schools that accept applications http://www.all-crna-schools.com/crna-programs.html. I know some schools won't even look at my application if it's not over 3.0 like Loma Linda University. They even said I would have to retake the same science course at the same university in order for it to count. Is that common with CRNA programs? Last time I checked my school doesn't replace the highest grade in a class.

After researching CRNA school requirements this week I am feeling somewhat discouraged. My cum GPA is 2.88 for BSN. I graduated 3 years ago. Only chance I see is I still have to take all chemistry, physics required courses. I'm planning on getting A's and doing well on the GRE. Getting the CCRN certification. I truly believe I can be a CRNA because I know what I want now and I know I can make a big difference with it. What graduate level courses should I plan to take? Anything else I can do? It is going to take some time to do all of this but I know it will be well worth it! Thanks for your help! J

Allaboutstaffing.com I found out definitely pays more. They are HCA's hospitals own staffing company so there's no middle man. 26.25$ an hour( time and 1/2 after 40 hours), 2000 a month housing, 800$ travel, health insurance subsidy 350$(they don't offer insurance but suggest Cobra). It seems they have less positions than other companies because they charge hospitals a lot more for travelers.

I'm driving from phoenix-dallas. 1100 miles 17 hour trip. I'll be staying with a friend so I would be getting 700$ each week so that's 2100$ a month for housing. They don't do per diem for meals. I guess if you look at it another way it's really only 20$ an hour plus 700$ a week for housing or whatever else you will need the money for(meals etc.) + 500$ travel. If I look at it that way it doesn't seem like a great deal?? what do you mean by incidentals?

Nurse finders: 36 $ an hour. This is how she broke it down for me. 20$ is the hourly pay that is taxable x36 hours + 700 weekly housing stipend = total 1240 take home after taxes. If you divide that by 36 hours, it is 34.44 an hour take home rate. They also pay 500$ for round trip travel. For overtime they pay for the 36-40 hours 30$ an hour. Anything after 40 hours 45$ an hour. No shift differential. Other incentives: after 1872 hours of work they give a 2000$ vacation bonus. Free health insurance. 401 K after 1000 hours completed. Is this a good offer??

I am going to call a few places tomorrow and I'll see what they quote. Low 30's doesn't seem that bad. Is that after they take out part of it for housing and other expenses, per diem? My hourly in Phoenix is 30 as a tele staff right now. I though Dallas pays less than Phoenix.