Travel Nurse to Hawaii

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HI,

I am an RN in Virginia. I have one travel experience in my 6 years of nursing, and it didn't go well ( I traveled about an hour from where I lived.) I work in a float pool now, mostly floating to med-surg, but occasionally to ICU or physical rehab. I have a travel agency persuing me; there is an opening in Hawaii. I can only leave home for 8 weeks max. I have never even been to Hawaii, and don't know what to expect if I did accept this med-surg position. Can anyone give me any pointers? How are travel nurses viewed? I have never worked in a hospital with a union either- will I be ostracized? Are there any active strikes? I don't want to cross strike lines. I currently make around $30/ hr now. How much would the pay likely be? I would be getting free private housing- are there areas that might not be safe to live in? I want to bring my daughter (age 11) and brother (18). What are the hospitals to avoid ? What is the average patient load? What type of charting-ie- computer? Thanks !

:nurse: Fawn

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Hi

I recently moved to Hawaii from Canada. So, my knowledge is limited but I try to help you here.

I see lots of travel nurses in a hospital. They are all the time in all hospitals in Hawaii. Lots of them live in just around Waikiki area, which is close to many hospitals. Because my hospital is in a small community, I know some nurses live in Ewa area. According to Americans, Hawaii is very safe and laid-back...so I think you don't have to worry about the safety too much.

I have only three year experience and then get paid about 34$/hr.

Comparing to Canada, this hospital in Hawaii is pretty advanced in terms of computerization....BUT many travel nurses from mainland say this is really 10 year behind from what it is in other states. Documentation is still written by hands and stuff. However, this might be different in a big hospital around Waikiki area.

As for strikes, I don't hear anything about it right now.

I know one hospital with bad reputation for workers...Just give me an email.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you!

PS

I have to add lifestyle in Hawaii....nothing better than lying on the beach after work. Try 8 weeks! I am sure you will enjoy it!:roll :roll

HI,

I am an RN in Virginia. I have one travel experience in my 6 years of nursing, and it didn't go well ( I traveled about an hour from where I lived.) I work in a float pool now, mostly floating to med-surg, but occasionally to ICU or physical rehab. I have a travel agency persuing me; there is an opening in Hawaii. I can only leave home for 8 weeks max. I have never even been to Hawaii, and don't know what to expect if I did accept this med-surg position. Can anyone give me any pointers? How are travel nurses viewed? I have never worked in a hospital with a union either- will I be ostracized? Are there any active strikes? I don't want to cross strike lines. I currently make around $30/ hr now. How much would the pay likely be? I would be getting free private housing- are there areas that might not be safe to live in? I want to bring my daughter (age 11) and brother (18). What are the hospitals to avoid ? What is the average patient load? What type of charting-ie- computer? Thanks !

:nurse: Fawn

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what are some good agencies to get travel jobs to HI? Nurse with 2 years experience wanting to travel to HI.

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Specializes in Sub/Acute, Telemetry, Med/Surg.

Hi, i also want to go work in Hawaii, either a traveler or full time employee. My situation is i got my RN last year and only have 7 months experience in a med/surg and Telemetry floor. I applied at this one Travel agency in Hawaii but they tell me i have to have at least 1 year of acute experience and 1 travel RN experience....how about your Travel company?

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Specializes in Sub/Acute, Telemetry, Med/Surg.

i just want to add that i am from Southern California and i work in a small community hospital. We just recently transitioned to computer MediTec but only limited at this time. We only do Lab orders, admissions, Nuclear, Radiology, Cardio pulmonary but still do nursing notes on paper. Does not seem hard at all. Right now, all i want is to live in Hawaii for a few years and get away from Los Angeles area. There are so many opportunities here as RN's but Hawaii seem nice right now! Warm beach and laid back peeps, what else could you ask for?

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wow, hard to believe I wrote this three years ago.

I've never left the position I am still in, but am now trying to transition to OB nursing. I have two applications out, may reconsider a short term assignment this summer if they don't pan out well.

One of my best friends of two years grew up in Hawaii. She is hoping to get into nursing school soon. I have traveled once briefly in 2000 with American Traveler, and I cannot reccomend them to anyone. I will say that if you really should have a good year's experience of whatever specialty you are trying to travel in.

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one more thing to think about- safety wise.... I am an avid fan of Dog the Bounty Hunter ( don't laugh!) and though it's reality show overdramatized, there are some pretty scary looking people and parts of town in Hawaii I wouldn't have expected...

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Just joined and considering new options at this late stage. Hawaii is one of the options I have been considering as my son and dtr-n-law just moved to Australia. I was thinking it would be nice to retire in Hawaii with my husband in the next ten years to be closer. I'm taking this all in. Thanks.

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Specializes in Sub/Acute, Telemetry, Med/Surg.

thanks for the response. i do hope that i get a job in Hawaii

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My husband and I went off the beaten trail in Hawaii, when we were there for my son's wedding. There are some places I would not feel so safe in. I guess it would take some planning. Its expensive there...especially the food.

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food and housing is expensive on oahu..we moved to big island of Hawaii a year ago and housing is cheaper in the Hilo area but I can't comment on salaries as I don't know..there is one travel agency, if you look on craigslist their name is Island something...? Not sure what they require for experience but good luck to you and aloha:)

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Hawaii is very expensive, probably because they have to ship everything into the islands. One way I found to stick to a budget at restaurants there is to make a list beforehand. You can search locally at sites like this one http://www.gatheringguide.com/ec/caterers.html and see their menus ahead of time, to plan which nights you're going to take it easy and which times to splurge.

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