ParalyticAgent replied to meech2015's topic in Emergency
I kept a notebook with me at all times to write down meds, conditions, treatments I was unfamiliar with. When I got home, I was able to study them more in depth. That's the advice I give to all of my...
ParalyticAgent replied to JVoEDrn's topic in Emergency
Welcome to the ER. I'm going to be honest with you- you are not going to be the incredibly detailed nurse that you once were. Get used to VERY focused assessments. It takes time and for a while you...
ParalyticAgent replied to ParalyticAgent's topic in Travel
Baglady, both of those sound awesome! I haven't had super unique housing yet, but my favorite was my adobe house in the Mojave Desert. There was a "terrible" snowstorm during the last week of my...
ParalyticAgent replied to aggienurse15's topic in Travel
Hey! Fellow ER traveler here. I would definitely get two years of experience in the ER prior to traveling. The thing with the ER is we have to know a little bit about a LOT of things- every body...
ParalyticAgent replied to Nurseling Kathy's topic in Travel
Welcome to the travel boards! I also dreamed of travel nursing all through school. After I graduated, I got a position in the ER , took every opportunity to advance my learning (ACLS, PALS, TNCC,...
ParalyticAgent replied to NorCalKid's topic in Travel
I'm alternating a contract with a major trip. I live frugally while on contract and save money for a trip. Works pretty well for me, although it is not a year long trip. SE Asia in January, N France...
Ha. This is what happens in my ED. We get a text page (no more than 250 characters) with basics. An example: "Med 21. Male found down, CPR and intubated. 5-10
ParalyticAgent replied to BecomingNursey's topic in Travel
Sorry Ned! I took your advice to take a pool position, and now I tell everyone to. It was seriously the best advice I got to prepare for traveling. And I got a ton of sometime conflicting advice from...
ParalyticAgent replied to BecomingNursey's topic in Travel
I would really encourage you to wait and get another year of experience. Like Ned frequently suggests, get a pool position at another hospital in your area to broaden your knowledge base and skills...
ParalyticAgent replied to Jdamitz2's topic in Travel
I've been assigned to triage as a traveler, but only after several weeks. I assume they want to make sure I have some sort of appropriate clinical judgment before they trust me with triage. As far as...
ParalyticAgent replied to archemichael's topic in School
Just to be clear, the C for CAB is to check for a pulse and the across the room survey is for major hemorrhaging, not a major nosebleed. Even if the bleeding is substantial, they will be okay while...
ParalyticAgent replied to mwebbrn's topic in Travel
All AMN companies list their blended rate. This is NOT your hourly rate. It's what they calculate you would make if your per diem was also taxed. For example, my current contract had a listed rate of...
ParalyticAgent replied to EdwardsRN89's topic in Emergency
It will all come with time. It took me a year to not feel like I was drowning. It took another year to actually feel confident. ALWAYS lay eyes on your patients as soon as possible. I've had "level...
ParalyticAgent replied to summerforever's topic in Emergency
In time, you'll be able to have done 90% of your assessment by just looking at and talking to your patient. But that takes time. You're going to be slow for a long time. Anyone who expects anything...
I make between $800-1200/wk after taxes workly only 36 hours- not including my housing stipend. I suppose if I was only in this for the money, I would insist on 48hr/wk contract and work tons of...
ParalyticAgent replied to rearviewmirror's topic in Emergency
I was miserable on night shift until I made my sleep during the day my #1 priority. My phone is off, my doorbell has been disconnected, my bedroom is outfitted with blackout shades and a loud fan. I...
ParalyticAgent replied to Smiley6's topic in Travel
I have a fully (overly?) furnished home- now all of that stays at home and I have everything I could ever need in two rubbermaid containers. No unpacking and repacking between assignments! It's worked...
ParalyticAgent replied to Bharatpur14's topic in Travel
Keep dreaming! Researching the different cities I wanted to visit is the only thing that got me through nursing school. Work hard and put in your time, and you can start crossing cities off your list...