Two4theroad

Your passion will shine through! Best wishes to you, and as you grow in your career, NP might be a possibility, you never know! Women choose male OB GYN physicians, I'm sure working with a male nurse would be the same! Have fun!

My two cents, you should never be asked to hang chemo as a non-certified nurse (chemo certification is a long class). Two certified nurses are supposed to hang and check chemo agents. However, some PO chemo can be given by non-certified nurses. Be aware however, that patient's on or recently finished chemo have bodily fluids, including sweat, that can expose you to toxic substances. I never liked being floated to Oncology just because of the unfamiliarity with the patient population, and the fact that I've been a nurse long enough to know that if I am there taking patient's on a unit, I will always be asked to do things that I am not technically checked off on or even supposed to be doing. I am put into a position where I either suck it up and do it, or flat out refuse. In some places the manager, charge nurse, even supervisor, are not supportive of your position. Every facility is different, however, so the best advice any of us can get is to check our facility policy on things and print out a copy for the higher ups. Stick to your guns if you are asked to do something outside of your scope of practice and look up everything. Also, not every patient on that unit is going to need chemo, sometimes they are there for blood, hospice, respite, infections, surgery, etc. It is a med/surg unit, the one at my old hospital was one of two units that didn't even have telemetry, so it was a catch all. It just has that added specialty piece that I always unnerved me. But that was just me! I'm pretty flexible, but I always felt like if they wanted me to work around chemo and neutropenic patients that they should really prepare me and educate me for that. I learned how to educate myself pretty fast! Good luck!

I have to agree with Ned (as usual!) I am on my second assignment, my first was short term so the agency set me up with extended stay, which was fine, but for this one I toyed with the idea of finding my own. Ended up going with agency housing, incredible apartment, lots of amenities, super close to my facility and nicely furnished. I may eventually take the stipend and try my own housing, but for the next few, while I learn the ins and outs, I'll go with the agency. You have to let them know what your priorities are up front, you have to map the area around your facility and learn what areas to avoid, then pass that along to them. I will not live in an unsafe or isolated area, and it saves time and grief later, if I research the possible spots and know what I need. Then I talk to housing and they find me someplace that meets my needs. I love this spot, I'll be a bit sad to pack up!

Sadly, I'm a crafter. Sewing machine, Cricut, tons of paper, stamps, ink. Too expensive to buy each time, but hard on the body lugging this stuff up to my second floor apartment! That being said, does anyone ship items to their next assignment? I'm thinking UPS for a bunch of this stuff, as long as I have the address of the hotel or apartment complex ahead of leaving? Anyone done this?

NedRN, I think I'm finally getting the hang of looking at the ENTIRE compensation package to gauge how I'm doing. I've become more than satisfied with my hourly rate and benefits after understanding how to factor all of that in, mostly thanks to the time and effort you put in to explaining it! Thanks a bunch!

I did! I'm still trying to find time to get a few more posts in! Maybe one more after this? Yesterday was orientation, so maybe now I'll get my schedule. Stay tuned for a PM :)

Is the missed break/missed or late meal thing exclusive to California? I'm thinking it must be a union requirement?

Thanks so much! I'm a photographer in my "spare time" and I'm looking forward to this assignment, my second, as it's longer and will give me more time to settle into a place and begin my blog again. It's such a lovely perk of travel nursing, and I'm sure you are experiencing that benefit to the fullest! Maybe I'll add Hawaii to my work bucket list! Can't wait to take a peek at your blog!

Did you post a link to your blog? I'd love to take a look, but can't find where it is? I have a facebook friend in Hawaii, and his photos quite often. Make my day! It's so uniquely beautiful there!

Ok, my turn to try to up my posts so I can PM you back! I'll get there soon! Then we need to have a coffee :)

I logged on to ask this exact same question! I'm a Pinterest/Netflix addict, so I know I'll end up paying...thanks for the great advice and many options! I'm looking into those antenna things :)

Ha! I'm currently hanging with my sister in Texas, I'm between assignments, so I'm acclimating to the heat and humidity for sure! I've been through town a few times and am very excited about the location. I can't wait to get settled. Looks like a very pretty place, and I'm interested in learning about the swamp to the West. It's so beautiful! Must be a good place to be if you signed on for another tour :) Yes to the get together! I'll be there in a few weeks, hopefully settled in quickly and we can work out something!

I am! Are you enjoying it?

Not necessarily on topic, but I have found that teaching hospitals place more restrictions on nursing practice and focus on the students, residents and interns. Not necessarily a bad thing, but after years in a community hospital, it was definitely different!

I agree, the individual hospital probably sets their policy and some just want the AWHONN class. You don't have to take the certification for some systems, just have either Intermediate or Advanced AWHONN. I found out that to work in most Antepartum units in Arizona, you need Advanced. I'll probably do the certification eventually, but currently the only requirements I've been given in varying locations ( I'm a travel nurse) is AWHONN. I think it's just the standard.