Rapid Response assignments

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I'm currently looking for a travel position (it'd be my second) in the Los Angeles area. My recruiter has sent me quotes for some jobs that are categorized as "Rapid Response" and are paying $500-$800 more per week than the other ones.

When I asked her what "rapid response" meant, she said it just means that they need someone ASAP.

However, from previous posts, I gathered that it could also mean the acuity of the patients are higher, nurse patient ratio could be higher (although there is that nurse/patient ratio mandate in CA), etc. One such quote was an 8 week assignment, but the others were 12 weeks.

Can anyone offer some insight? I'm a fairly new nurse so am definitely not looking to get over my head here.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I would imagine that these positions are for rapid response RNs (perhaps called critical care floats at other hospitals?). The rapid response nurses at my hospital have some serious critical care experience under their belts and respond to codes as well as MET (medical emergency team) calls. We call a MET if a patient is deteriorating (or the nurse has concerns, etc) but it isn't yet a code situation. If you are a newish nurse, possibly not appropriate for you unless you have a critical care background.

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Hi Katie, thanks for the quick response! I thought that at first but the positions are for telemetry. The type of the travel assignment is called "rapid response".

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I would not recommend a rapid response for your first assignments. The need is urgent and there is an 80% chance the hospital and unit is crappy and certainly overworked. No time to baby new travelers with orientation. The expectation is that you will hit the ground running and be completely independent no matter the charting system or ancillary help.

It it is a setup for failure and it is a red flag if the hospital is willing to accept a newer traveler. Ask yourself why they would choose you over someone with more experience. Don't chase the money yet.

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I've taken 2 Rapid Response contracts. The first contract was 4 weeks in Palm Springs. It wasn't high acuity or a bad place to work, just a typical assignment. The 2nd contract was a 6 week EPIC conversion. We worked 48 hours a week with both contracts. Whenever there's a Rapid Response contract, definitely ask around to find out the good and bad about the hospital.

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Epic conversions are the best kind of rapid response in general. I would recommend them to even a new traveler.

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Rapid Response rate means that it is an urgent need for the facility for whatever reason and they are paying higher than normal. That is completely at the discretion of the facility. Some facilities pay only a $1 or $2 more an hour and some pay significantly more.

Rapid Response can mean they are short staffed, EMR conversion, or expecting an increase census. Hope that helps!

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Do you still go through hospital orientation and 1 or 2 shifts for unit orientation? I am considering a rapid response for my second assignment. Is it too soon? I'm a pretty quick learner and it only took me a week to acclimate to my first assignment.

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