bigbearnurse

It's absolutely WILD that Vanderbilt being so highly ranked would consider someone with zero experience. But go for it!

Thank you for responding. This info has been really helpful. I'm generally looking for a place where I don't have to work so much PRN in addition to my full time job. I'm getting burned out. Do you remember what the weekend and/or night differential was at UTSW? I don't like the idea of HCA hospitals but if the money is right I would possibly consider it.

Thanks for your reply. Can you say more about why you wouldn't recommend Piedmont. Just curious about the pros and cons.

Thanks for your input on the cost of living/housing in the market. Nowhere is safe lol. Which do you think is a better hospital to work for, Piedmont ATL or Emory?

Thanks for the insight. I don't know if I could swing low 30s with big D cost of living - I live in Mississippi and make base $30. Any thoughts on Houston? I hear it may be marginally cheaper. I'm single, so buying a home and swallowing all those prop taxes alone would be a bitter pill lol. However, most TX nurses I've come across sound relatively satisfied, so it sounds worthwhile to possibly explore a travel contract to see for myself. I'm planning a trip to Dallas to the state fair in October to satisfy all my childhood nostalgia and deep fried food fantasies, so maybe I'll take a look then! Thanks again.

Cardiac RN here with 6 years experience considering relocation for a staff position in Atlanta or Dallas. Still in very early planning stages, but I have researched Emory in Atlanta or UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Does anyone have personal experience with the regions or medical centers they'd be willing to share? My main points of consideration are: *salary relative to cost of living. How far does my hourly wage go? Retirement perks? *overall nurse culture and happiness. Rewarding work environment? Opportunity for advancement? *cities. I like both. Less familiar with Dallas. Looking for safe areas where I'd one day likely purchase a home. (Althoug I hear TX property taxes are insane). *Houston may be a distant 3rd place runner up. But I don't think I could deal with the heat ? Thanks in advance for any info, everyone.

- Other agencies are unable to give me a quote at this time; they don't have openings in Chicago at the moment. - My company does not offer completion bonuses - nor am I interested in them d/t the higher tax rate. - More stipends are only advantageous if you can find cheap housing... which may be difficult in a big city. Also if your base hourly rate is so low as to make working overtime unfruitful, then I guess it's not all about your stipend after all. Thanks

My recruiter quoted me $20/hr at a large teaching hospital in downtown Chicago! I'm being lowballed right? Wondering what others' experiences have been in the area and if this is a fair hourly rate. Housing stipend 2250 monthly, meals/incidentals 390/week... but I'm doubtful one can live on that in Chicago. Bueller?

My friend is doing a L&D rotation with them in the DC area and is getting a $4000 completion bonus (after taxes). She says they are a big company, and are generally ok. I looked at them initially but the recruiter I was speaking with sounded downright sketchy and was unresponsive to phone calls, then randomly got a promotion, etc - so I went with another company.

What agency is this? If you don't take it, I will!

It depends on where you work in the areas you mentioned. You will be driving a lot in DC (even if you live and work in the District, if you want to get anywhere on time). The traffic is freakishly bad. I commute from Arlington to Fairfax. The traffic from Boulder to Denver is rough too especially now that they are working on highways in the area. SF Bay area traffic has gotten pretty gnarly too. If you don't want to drive then: NYC, SF proper, and Chicago. Otherwise fuggidaboutit!

Hey travel nurses, Thinking of doing a stint in Chicago. What is a competitive hourly rate for a traveler in the Chicago area? What about a staff nurse? What hospitals are decent work environments, and which ones should I avoid? I have 3 years' experience in cardiology/med surg and am currently on my 2nd assignment with Cross Country. My hourly wages seem low compared with other travelers I've met. I'm currently at a hospital just outside Washington DC making 24.50/hr on night shift. That includes the differential! A friend of mine is at the same hospital with a different company (Aya) and is getting a $4000 completion bonus. (albeit in a different specialty). I'm told it's wise to travel with more than one company to maximize earnings, but how does that work with insurance/benefits? You lose your benefits at Cross Country if you take more than 35 days off in a row. And the thought of the mountains of paperwork starting up with another company is daunting. Any other Chicago nurses or Cross Country travelers have any tips to share? And where are all these elusive bonuses I hear so much about? :) Much appreciated. Thanks All!

I just completed my first 3-month assignment outside Philadelphia and loved it! Before starting I would talk to ppl about their agency, check out "Highway Hypodermics" and learn as much as you can. From my research and talking with ppl, a lot of agencies are pretty much the same - some will offer better hourly pay but crappier insurance, some will have exclusive contracts at "better hospitals" but the pay might be lower, etc. In the end you are usually getting the same package: Slightly better pay than you're making now (maybe), adventure, meeting new ppl, and not getting embroiled in workplace politics! Also, call around and find a recruiter that you connect with, sounds reasonably honest on the phone (some are like used-car salesmen). I'm with Cross Country and they have been pretty transparent and fair about everything, if a little disorganized administratively. I will say travelers do NOT make as much as money as many think. For example, my recruiter quoted me $20/hr for New York City! But the monthly living/housing stipend would be 3500 a month. The hourly pay will probably be lower than what you are making now - where to really make the $$ is to take their living/housing stipend and find your own cheap place to live or crash with someone you know. Boston's pricey, so your agency would likely offer you a fat housing stipend. You always have to be prepared for contracts changing last minute - I haven't had that experience so far though. The downside to traveling is the paperwork! So much new paperwork for each new assignment, but you can frequently choose to extend your assignment if you like it. Considering your experience, you won't have any problem finding an assignment. Tons of med surg and ICU jobs. Research before you make the jump! Bottom line, if you're flexible and have an easygoing personality, I say go for it!

Before launching into nursing school, I would go work as a CNA (some hospitals call them PCAs or nursing aides) in a hospital. That will teach you more of what nursing is like in a hospital setting; you'll see if the profession is for you; you may even get connections for your first job. You will also have an easier time in school - most of the CNA-experienced students in my class did. Do NOT waste your time with an ASN. It's career suicide and would set you back 5 years. No one would even look at your application, especially in California, where EVERYONE wants to get a job. Consider an accelerated Bachelor's program in nursing (ABSN), but be prepared for a highly selective application process! Or just a regular BSN program - it would take a little longer but I've found students from BSN programs are more clinically prepared than those from an accelerated program - makes sense! Good Luck!

Hey, traveler here, considering going to Tucson. Any experience/knowledge of any of the hospitals there? I'm looking for decent ratios (no more than 1:5), and positive work environment. How is nursing pay, considering cost of living? Any info much appreciated man. Thanks!