Sage1111

UCSF just doubled their Pediatric Cardio-Thoracic ICU beds from 8 to 16. They are building a brand new facility new the current campus. They are very short staffed right now after hiring two new surgeons. Just a tip for you Pediatric ICU travel nu...

Maybe an example will be more clear. Most cataract surgeries are elderly patients on Medicare. We lose money on every single case. We make up revenue on say the private insurance ortho case in the OR next door. This is the point I was trying to c...

You couldn't be more wrong.

Percentage of the total having complications? Where are you from?? We have always focused on preventing post-op complications. You seemed to have missed my main point. The private insurance companies will no longer pay for the deficits in Medicare...

Do we really have any control over adhesions in a post surgical patient? The answer is NO!!!

Time will tell I guess. I am hoping you are right Ned! After almost 40 years of patient care, I have a bad feeling about ObamaCare. Do we really want to head towards socialized medical care?? I appreciate any and all discussion regarding this leve...

I think I know what you are feeling. Not unusual at all! I think we expect to much of ourselves particularly with our first travel assignment. You know how to give good patient care...focus on that for now. The p and p's will unfold shortly. Patie...

With the current Medicaid/ Medicare reimbursement surgery, which is usually a money maker for hospitals, loses money in most cases. This money is made up on private insurance procedures. I have strong concerns regarding what effect this will have o...

I just finished an assignment in California. The Director of Surgery mentioned at a staff meeting that with ObamaCare, each surgical procedure will have a set fee payed by the government health plan. All people involved will take their portion of t...

Please let us know how you like this assignment. I would like to consider the Phoenix area soon. I would appreciate your observations and opinions!Thanks and good luck!! :)

It is always best to have the job offer financial numbers BEFORE you interview. One time for me the financial numbers were not available yet so I did interview without them. Once the manager knew she wanted me, I told the agency "oh, I can't do the ...

Send an e-mail to your recruiter ASAP stating you will be paid the two weeks and may remain in their housing (if you took the 'free' apartment) during that time. Do not trust phone messages at this point. Everything must be in writing. I am sure t...

Thanks guys! I learned something new today!! I am on assignment in California right now. No one has ever quoted me a "blended"rate. Good to know for the future. :)

Blended rate =m&I plus hourly wage?? I took this post to mean her hourly "blended" pay is $24.00 per hour plus housing. Am I wrong? Sorry for the confusion.

Great advice Jannmarie!!

This pay rate could be a starting point for a first-time traveler if it was a small rural hospital where not that much is going on. But Oakland Kaiser ICU??? Give me a break!!!!! I would physically break out laughing on the phone if I was offered th...

You can negotiate with the hotel manager to get a good rate. I told them I was a travel nurse working at the local hospital for 13 weeks and I had a limited expense account. She dropped her lowest possible rate by $7.00 per day! That being said, I...

What a great thought provoking question! When I agree to go to a facility as a traveler, I desire to be part of a team giving great care to patients. More often than not, I get the worst assignments daily and am the lone nurse that floats to other ...

Jobs increase in the OR October through the end of the year. Patients have their yearly deductible paid and all of the elective surgeries increase ALOT! Sorry, I admit that comment was slanted to OR jobs. I realize that may not pertain to other ar...

I am currently on assignment with Cross Country TravCorp.. While I have heard some negative comments about this agency on these type of forums, I have had a very good experience so far. I think a bigger company is a good choice for new travelers. ...

I've been able to do much better with other companies that also have great recruiters. The pay is better elsewhere.

By the way, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Hi! I just drove 33 hours to northern California. I recommend using 4 to 6 of those big plastic bins (from target?) to pack most of your things in. You will want to keep things out of sight went you stop at hotels, etc. on your travels. My compan...

Finding my own housing was a hassle for the $300.00 a month I made. This assignment I took their housing and am stress-free. I guess it depends on the housing stipend amount and how money hungry you are? By the way, my furnished one-bedroom apt. i...

While I have not worked for VHCS, I encourage you to email this recruiter with your questions and do not proceed with any job submissions until all your questions are answered. She may not know the answers or she is purposely being vague. The later...