yoshimi

Well, I ended up leaving.... I called after my shift and explained to the night charge nurse (who was really nice actually) that I had just not been able to really get the hang of things yet, and I really really really needed at least one full shift of having just 2 patients,so I could master the 'flow' of the place. I was honest--said I was falling reallllly behind on everything from giving non-urgent meds to checking for new orders. The charge nurse was nice and understanding, but said it was not possible, due to staffing shortages. I told them I was not willing to take the chance I could miss something important, and that was that. I emailed my company the next day explaining I had to end my contract, but I haven't heard from the agency since.

Thanks -- good to know, though I am the exact opposite of interested in OT there, I was just sort of I guess surprised or something

thank you. I really appreciate your advice and help. and, I am aware of at least 2 no call-no shows with 2 other new travelers this week, (on their 2nd, and 3rd day respectively.) and someone from the my agency keeps calling to see if I want to pick up extra shifts. I am guessing the hospital has maybe a few problems with traveller positions.

Thank you so much. Interesting. Thank you soooo much, I really appreciate the information. I told my recruitter person I would feel much more comfortable if I had additional orientation time, and she told me I could ask the nurse manager. (I am thinking that is a no) Yea, I am seeing some issues with this place. I moved out of state (i'm from CA) because of the job market. I came back to CA after when I signed up with the agency. I am just wondering what my options really are. I mean, I am not overwhelmned in the acuity or anything. But I dont get their 'system' so i am worried there will be orders for me to carry out, sitting in some file cabinet that was never shown to me. They still use file cabinets. They have absolutely nothing computerized. it is weird. oh well. I dont know if i am just overwhelmed because it was my first day as a 'traveling' nurse, or because I am over my head and out-of-my-league, or because this place specifically has issues...

wow, I swear I must be at the same hospital and same unit as you! Also my first travel/registry assignment. I am also wondering what to do..... I have 10mo experience on night shift on a busy med-surg (some tele ) floor, and my preceptorship was in a cardiac heavy ED, so I feel pretty ok with the tele aspect of the unit, I know the meds, etc. but that is about all I feel ok with. I dont understand their weird weird 2 chart-file folder-charting system, it makes no sense at all. no one warned me there are NO PHLEBOTOMISTS. I had 4 hours orientation and I dunno...have to work my second shift tomorrow and I am feeling not good about it. The freaking charts, chasing them down, trying to figure out how the process for blood, how things are done, the forms for typing and crossmatching blood etc .everything takes SO LONG, so I my first day I got incredibly incredibly behind, even though doing actual nursing stuff doesnt take me a long time. What have you been doing--are you sticking it out or what? Also, how did you ask for a longer orientation? People looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked for lunch, so I am not sure how a longer orientation will go over.... NedRN i saw you wrote: " Never again take a short assignment until you are a seasoned traveler no matter what they offer. I'm assuming this one is paying very well, and the hospital may well be horrible. These are called rapid response assignments, and they pay well for a reason. Please tell us who the agency is after this is over." Could you elaborate please? I wish I knew before! I won't, but I didnt know that. (and for me at least, it is NOT paying very well. I just moved back to california, it was just the first assignment I was offered and I needed it