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Discussion

Travel to Cali.

I'm new to traveling and am looking for feed back about California. My specialties are ICU(mainly neuro) and Oncology. I plan to travel there in the fall for and work an ICU contract. I have a relative in San Diego and would like to go there but i've been reading that the pay is low. I also don't want to end up in a train wreck of a hospital. Living in Houston Tx. there are hospitals that I love and others that I would quit nursing before I work there. So i'm very nervous. I would like to go somewhere where the commute is very close and trouble free and the ICU isn't high stress and supportive. Any advice?

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    Nest response? I love their thermostats and customer service but I'm not sure they know much about San Diego, they are in the San Francisco Bay area. ;-)

    San Diego is low pay relative to the rest of California. If you are from large parts of the country such as the Midwest and South, you may find it high pay relative to what you are used to. California also has mandatory staffing laws, and fully relieved breaks q 4 hours. You cannot have more than two ICU patients, nor more than one 1:1 ICU patient. Max ratio for floors is 1:5. So your workload at the worst San Diego hospital will be much better than the worst hospital you have experienced in other states.

    Don't worry, be happy and go to the beach on your days off!

    Edit: pay should be similar to Houston but you won't be able to compare travel quotes directly with staff pay.

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    Thank You. I think unions are great!! There are several Hospitals I work where I'm ICU tripled on a regular basis and lucky to take one break in 12hrs much less four. The pay does seem comparable to Houston but with perks like OT after 8hrs. I guess I will have to drive to San Diego on my off days and I will enjoy the beach!

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    Overtime after 8 is not a given, but it doesn't matter. If you shop around, you will get quotes both ways from agencies and effective hourly will be (or should be) similar.

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    Scripps in San Diego has a post on their career website for seasonal RNs. You may want to check that, I think it's something new they are doing to eliminate the middle man. I have heard good things from travelers there. Also Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs area hires ICU travelers every year. I was on contract in the ED there, and it's the best place I have ever worked.

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    Thank you. That helps alot. I will look into them.

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