Psych Travel Nursing

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I've been checking into the whole travel nurse idea and was wondering if there are very many opportunities for a psych nurse in the travel world.

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

Hi, I'm working on my 1st assignment where you are located but through WWTS, would love to chat about the facility. If youve been there since 01, you MUST be lovin' it................

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Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

Sounds like an epidemic! Same crap goes on in my facility in MI.........grrrrrr, administration sometimes, go figure

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Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

RNalby, the vibe, what are some of the red flags you're encountering??

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Specializes in Mostly L&D/OB, some ED, Some psych.

Hi Green Mile,

I am no longer at Cherry...worked there 2003-2004. A lot of stuff in the local papers lately about crap going on there.

Are you there currently?

How is it going?

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Green Mile,

That was a bit ago and I quit that travel position at Cherry. Was working in the adult acute admission side and saw some stuff I had to report. Patients fighting in the nurses station, techs antagonizing the patients and then techs threatening to harm patient. So I left there in a quick minute.Gotta say was not impressed at all with the mental health system in NC.

ALby

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Specializes in psych, medical, drug rehab.

I worked there as well. Saw the same stuff. Floated into every building and unit and overall was not impressed. I didnt think I would make it one week there and ended up staying 1.5 yrs. A grrl has to work.... but oh boy, it has taken its toll on me.

I accepted a position as a traveler at B.I. in NYC and my hope is that I will have a much better experience and certainly more professional than what I have witnessed in NC.

I gained my original psych experience in Rochester, NY at U.Of R. and daily I thank God that I had my original experience in psychiatry there. I had an excellent orientation and it built a good foundation for me. It has helped me survive what I would consider a substandard working enviroment.

Honestly I would love to work med surg but with the nurse -patient ratio's being what they are and with my reality being that I am older, I just dont think I could handle it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, ER, Psych.

I just took a position at the new Central Regional in Butner, NC. It has been with some misgivings that I took it after reading stuff on the internet about the state of psych treatment in NC.

You all aren't making me excited to be going!

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Specializes in psych.
I'm planning my first assignment to Hawaii with World Wide in Maui at the state hospital, a co-worker of mine left icicles in MI and had nothing but a wonderful experience there, hoping for a ditto, anyone been? Just began my homework on all the details and planning, you know-what to do about my home, lease car, mail, housing there and the like. I'm truly excited, been considering traveling for a couple of years and just made the decision to go for it.........Wish me luck......advice appreciated! Aloha Vicky

Hello.just wondering if you ever started in Maui.I was thinking of heading there myself and was wondering what it was like.How is life in Hawaii? Thanks for the info

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Fawnsternurse,

Did you start your BI assignment? I worked there through Supplemental and believe me it was a lot better than NC. Funny you should mention UofR. I'm working there now on assignment in the MICA unit. I've done assignments at Strong before my NC nightmare so I was VERY glad to return!

RNAlby

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Specializes in psych, medical, drug rehab.

Oh my gosh! I would LOVE to work at U of R . What company took you there if you dont mind me asking?

You can PM me privately if you want.

Or post publicly, depending on your comfort levels.

Also how can I best prepare for the test being given at B.I? I am all over the map with trying to study and need to focus on whats important to pass the test.

As far as NC mental health system, I love the people, but this is the worst system I have ever worked in. I find the acceptance of abuse towards staff and patients alike deplorable.I know that there are many contributing factors which I will not get into on this board, but personally I have been praying for years and now finally "all that is hidden was brought to the light" and the situation has been in the news consistantly.I am only happy that to this date I have not been seriously injured.

I happen to work right now on a wonderful unit with a great nurse manager and great nurses. I am fortunate.

Have a great day!

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I'm over at Strong right now through Supplemental. As far as that test.... I can barely remember it. I was sooo tired that day and they make you do so many useless training. I don't know how to study for it. It's basically a video and you have to write down what you would do/say in that situation. Just think of safety first I guess. I have no idea if I passed or not because they never gave me my score or reviewed any of it with me or the other psych travel RN I was with. I think they only have a day to train as far off the unit. The unit itself made us go through all the other psych units b/c we were considered first to float. So unit training was 3weeks or so. Let me know how it works out!

RNAlby

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The travel positions for psych nurses aren't as numerous as other areas of nursing, but they are there. I've just finished a 2 year travel psych assignment in Saipan and will be starting a 13 week assignment in Boston next month. Check out Supplemental Health Care, they seem to have more psych assignments than many of the other agencies.

Hey I'd like any info you could supply on working Psych in Saipan.

Did you contract directly?

Thanks in advance

DeDe

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