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 nurses. Check it out!

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 convey.

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/Medicaid reimbursement. The entire payment system is going to change and nursing may get the short end of the stick, as well as patients in the long run. You and I are now going to help pay for those 30 million patients coming into the system. Those are tax dollars, not money off the money tree. No point in continuing as this topic can be discussed for days. Bottom line -- travel nursing will flourish, at least in the short term. Just my opinion. See you all on the road.

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 level of government control.

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. Patient safety is number one for now. In a couple of weeks you will chuckle at your current feelings. I am rooting for you!! Chin UP!!! :)

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 on our healthcare system. I am hoping for the best possible outcome for all.

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 this fee, surgeon,anesth.., nursing, etc.. This should be interesting...

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 job for that!". Guess who got a much higher offer!!

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 this will work out for your greater good in the long run....very stressful now though,I know.

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 this rate at that facility. I encourage you to keep looking. Best wishes.

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 find the company housing, one-bedroom furnished apartment really nice to come home to after a bad shift. More comfy and,well, homey...

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 units 100% of the required time. Very frustrating!! My most rewarding experiences involve being a resource to the staff. I really have learned a ton over the many years of my career and I enjoy sharing info.when able/needed.

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 areas of nursing.

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. Systems seem to be in place to deal with any "speed bumps" that may occur. I know some will disagree. Best advice: learn everything you can and take care of thy self.

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 company provided a vacuum with my furniture package thankfully. To cumbersome to pack in my already full car. Just remember you need WAY less than you think you need.

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. is awesome!!

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 is sometimes true with new travel nurses. Either way, you need to know what you are getting yourself into. Travel nursing is a business. You need to make good, informed business decisions. I wish you luck!!