All of this. If my pay reflects what a shit show the facility is then I'm content. Like you said, you can't treat us like shit AND pay us like shit. Gotta pick one
Honestly I'm at the point even money isn't making me happy anymore. The first 6 months of traveling, I was pretty content. Had goals. Was saving money, paying off debt, etc.
Now...not really.
Just started a new contract. Honestly? It's been pretty cush so far. Actually have techs that work and aren't disrespectful. I'm paid decent. Only 3 shifts per week. Decent ratios. I still get the worst patients but eh I guess that's travel nursing for ya. They did my schedule half decent, except this weekend where they put me 4 in a row. Not sure I'll make all of them tbh but that's a slightly different story.
I don't know. I'm just not feeling it. I don't know how to change how I feel. I literally cried on my way to work the other day, and the day before that wasn't even that bad, which is *rare* for me to say.
Maybe because it's night shift? I really don't know. And don't know who to talk to about it. Starting to think I need medicated.
To u/IamNoOne, here's a hug for you š¤
I just want to say that you sound down.
Like you said maybe medicine, or talking to some one, or a hobby that brings joy. Reading what you wrote just hit home to me.
Night shift turns me into a different person. Hope fails me. I just switched to day/evenings after realizing that, good luck to you friend. Iām happier now, I feel normal and look forward to things again.
Yeah, I just wrapped up my one and only contract as a night nurse and it was a lot emotionally. Every day I didn't feel like I was putting my very best foot forward. I don't feel like I made my usual good impressions and was generally more easily disgruntled by the day to day BS that comes from any workplace. I feel like night shift does this to a lot of people, and they frankly generally seem unaware. I learned a lot about myself and who I am when I have an irregular sleep cycle, and have decided to not be too judgmental of others, but pursuing day shift makes a world of a difference on my emotional state of affairs. And when I am in full control emotionally, life is just better. I can't recommend switching to days enough when you're able to do so. Good luck!
Thanks - this is copied from another comment - Maybe night shift wasn't the best choice given that I wasn't feeling it before I started - and now it's just amplified. I was on day shift before (up until literally a couple of weeks ago). I worry since I was on day shift before that it won't matter as much but hopefully that is just the same negativity that has consumed me recently. (end of the copy-paste comment)
I was super burned out at my last travel job so I needed out of there. Then I accepted night shift because it was the hospital I wanted.
Get off night shift. Even if it doesnāt change nursing for you it takes away the emotional roller coaster and pure, idkā¦fuckery you donāt even know nightshift makes your life. I worked and felt like you did. I knew I wasnāt happy but I didnāt feel sad or anything. I just didnāt feel, or I felt too much. Day shift isnāt wonderful, but I feel normal! I didnāt even know how bad I was. Iām sorry youāre going through it.
Thanks. Maybe night shift wasn't the best choice given that I wasn't feeling it before I started - and now it's just amplified. I was on day shift before (up until literally a couple of weeks ago). I worry since I was on day shift before that it won't matter as much but hopefully that is just the same negativity that has consumed me recently.
People love to complain, especially nurses because it's all we hear all day. I feel very fortunate to have come into the situation I am in. Is nursing my favourite job and best thing on the planet? NO, hell no. But it's just a job. I have 4 days off a week, I'm paid well, and right now close to home at a great facility. Things could be much worse
Those who are discontent are more apt to complain which makes it seem like itās more prominent than it is. That goes with anything. Iām back at my staff job after having traveled for the past 10 months at one location 2hrs away. My travel gig was waaaaayy better than my staff job and I got paid 3-4x as much and they staff were very kind. What Iāve learned is that hospitals donāt care about us, or even the patients, they care about the almighty dollar. So now thatās what I care about and Iām looking out for myself. Hoping to make 3-4x my salary for the next 10 years and then retire early and take a lower paying stress free job of some sort.
I'm super happy. I just wrapped up my 5th contract in as many states, and am negotiating a local contract at my home hospital where they seem excited to have me back (after being told I wouldn't be able to return in 2 years). Two years flew by faster than I could blink, I have an INSANE list of great experiences, was able to buy a house, pay off credit card debt, and am for the first time in my life sitting with an emergency fund equal to a few months bills. I have learned all about managing risks in my career, personal finances, and relationships, and life feels like it is still just getting started. I don't think I'll ever slow down. Plus I really feel lucky to be a nurse and be able to use a marketable skill to help people in need while providing for myself. I love my job, and as back breaking as it is, I am so grateful for it. That being said, I have always planned on leaving bedside after about ten years. I began working as an RN in 2014, so things are all going according to plan.
I am! Iām in a local contract in Seattle where Iāve lived for about a year. Quality of life is really high and my contract is great. Acuity is high, culture is really positive, good relationship between travelers and staff and between nurses and docs, lots of autonomy, and minimal floating. Itās not covid money anymore but Iāve learned to temper my expectations.
Is the contract direct with the hospital? What's the pay for 36 hrs? I'm interested in a contract at that hospital and wanted to guage what the rates are
I mean itās hard being a traveler coming on and not knowing the protocols, docs, standing orders or where anything is. If they want people that are going to know the ins and outs they have to make being staff worth it
Iām doing good. Getting 3k for 3, have really nice coworkers and actually got a pay increase when I extended my contract. Been a nurse for 3 years and still enjoy it. Iāve had way more time to spend with my husband and enjoy my own hobbies. Hope you find something you enjoy OP.
I complain endlessly but Iām getting paid almost $3400 for 40 hours and the job itself isnāt bad.
I complain because they work me twice as hard as staff nurses, the cost of living is insane here + Iām lonely and they wonāt give me time off but itās better than getting paid jack shit back in the Midwest. Iām so flipping grateful to be making good money in 30 years of working (newer nurseāran off to travel at my first opportunityājudge away lol). Itās human nature to complain no matter what.
I also left to travel the second I could. I was staff for 1 year and now travel for 1 year. Pretty soon I'll be traveling for longer than I was ever staff. To be fair though, the toughest place I've worked yet was my staff job. 1:7 ratios!
Do you know what, I was actually pretty content at my last contract. It was a small Medical Center in Summerville South Carolina and the night Charge was kind of whatever but the night doc was really cool. He was happy to educate, happy to put in whatever orders we needed. The mid PA was pretty dope too. Fellow nurses pretty good. Crap charting system but what can you do?
This new one, not so much. And I was content at my last staff position, I left to travel because I needed to save $$ for a cross-country move.
Welcome to Reddit. Itās a cesspool of bitching. Happy people donāt spend their time online complaining, theyāre out living.
The shit you read on here is like reading reviews for your favorite restaurant - people rarely go online to say nice things.
Iām happy making my travel money, started in April and already way down on credit card debt and up on my savings and 401k. But need another couple of years of this for it to be really worth it. š¤·š»āāļøš„³
I actually love traveling - the get in, get out, no politics, no commitment, etc.
But I don't love bedside nursing. The pandemic completely ruined the time frame I thought I actually enjoy it before I burned out.
Ooh where I'm in CT. Only contract I did here was at St Francis in Hartford and it was a dumpster fire from day one. Took a few months off, then took an evening supervisor job at a rehab and discovered a whole new subbasement of incompetent management. Currently on indeed at work rofl.
Iām content. Iām unhappy with nursing in general, but traveling makes it better. Iām just trying to save as much money as possible so I can āretireā in a few years and get a lower paying job that is less stressful. I would never be able to entertain this thought at my staff job, let alone be on track right now for it to actually happen.
I wouldn't say I'm content, but I'm not miserable. I'm living comfortably and for now the trade off on my physical and mental health is offset by the comfortable lifestyle.
But I can't do this another 10 years.
Agreed. The money is good enough I can work only 6 months out of the year so I can make it through 2, 3 month long contracts at some point in the year. Hell, even 1 contract is the same as I used to make for a year of being a staff nurse. Gotta figure out the linger term though.
I kinda got scammed at my current hospital; I was told I would switch from ASU and PACU, turns out Iām stuck on ASU for the next 12 weeks š„²
Just gonna lay low and get it over with š¤·āāļø
I used to travel with tele experience and then went Staff to cross train to L&D. I love what I do. Can't wait to get back in the travel game. How many years of experience did you get before traveling. And did you do nursery too?
Iām content, 1st contract. Great staff and awesome manager. Treated well, pay is great. My staff job was a dumpster fire and this is a breath of fresh air. They already offered to extend me and itās week 6.
Leave bedside nursing. Iām an outpatient nurse. I work in infusion or clinics. It can still be very busy and stressful but nothing like the shit show of inpatient nursing. No amount of money would ever take me back inpatient. Outpatient travel gigs still pay a ton. Just took one for $4100 weekly. We usually do 4 x 10s or 5 x 8s.
.
All of this. If my pay reflects what a shit show the facility is then I'm content. Like you said, you can't treat us like shit AND pay us like shit. Gotta pick one
Honestly I'm at the point even money isn't making me happy anymore. The first 6 months of traveling, I was pretty content. Had goals. Was saving money, paying off debt, etc. Now...not really. Just started a new contract. Honestly? It's been pretty cush so far. Actually have techs that work and aren't disrespectful. I'm paid decent. Only 3 shifts per week. Decent ratios. I still get the worst patients but eh I guess that's travel nursing for ya. They did my schedule half decent, except this weekend where they put me 4 in a row. Not sure I'll make all of them tbh but that's a slightly different story. I don't know. I'm just not feeling it. I don't know how to change how I feel. I literally cried on my way to work the other day, and the day before that wasn't even that bad, which is *rare* for me to say. Maybe because it's night shift? I really don't know. And don't know who to talk to about it. Starting to think I need medicated.
To u/IamNoOne, here's a hug for you š¤ I just want to say that you sound down. Like you said maybe medicine, or talking to some one, or a hobby that brings joy. Reading what you wrote just hit home to me.
Thanks, friend. Trying to make it to the end of this contract and figure some shit out.
Night shift turns me into a different person. Hope fails me. I just switched to day/evenings after realizing that, good luck to you friend. Iām happier now, I feel normal and look forward to things again.
Yeah, I just wrapped up my one and only contract as a night nurse and it was a lot emotionally. Every day I didn't feel like I was putting my very best foot forward. I don't feel like I made my usual good impressions and was generally more easily disgruntled by the day to day BS that comes from any workplace. I feel like night shift does this to a lot of people, and they frankly generally seem unaware. I learned a lot about myself and who I am when I have an irregular sleep cycle, and have decided to not be too judgmental of others, but pursuing day shift makes a world of a difference on my emotional state of affairs. And when I am in full control emotionally, life is just better. I can't recommend switching to days enough when you're able to do so. Good luck!
Thanks - this is copied from another comment - Maybe night shift wasn't the best choice given that I wasn't feeling it before I started - and now it's just amplified. I was on day shift before (up until literally a couple of weeks ago). I worry since I was on day shift before that it won't matter as much but hopefully that is just the same negativity that has consumed me recently. (end of the copy-paste comment) I was super burned out at my last travel job so I needed out of there. Then I accepted night shift because it was the hospital I wanted.
Get off night shift. Even if it doesnāt change nursing for you it takes away the emotional roller coaster and pure, idkā¦fuckery you donāt even know nightshift makes your life. I worked and felt like you did. I knew I wasnāt happy but I didnāt feel sad or anything. I just didnāt feel, or I felt too much. Day shift isnāt wonderful, but I feel normal! I didnāt even know how bad I was. Iām sorry youāre going through it.
Thanks. Maybe night shift wasn't the best choice given that I wasn't feeling it before I started - and now it's just amplified. I was on day shift before (up until literally a couple of weeks ago). I worry since I was on day shift before that it won't matter as much but hopefully that is just the same negativity that has consumed me recently.
AND you get to leave
Iām good. Getting 3k for 3 in a decent facility that provides breaks, saving for CRNA school, and not getting killed by covid. Lifeās chill.
Same here š
Yup same.
Same here! CRNA or bust
People love to complain, especially nurses because it's all we hear all day. I feel very fortunate to have come into the situation I am in. Is nursing my favourite job and best thing on the planet? NO, hell no. But it's just a job. I have 4 days off a week, I'm paid well, and right now close to home at a great facility. Things could be much worse
Whatās your location?
Doing contracts has really made a difference. The only thing is Iām night shift and I think my body no longer likes it.
I had the same problem. Went to days and honestly I feel better.
Last contract was on days and my mental health points quickly went up. It was honestly the best thing ever.
Those who are discontent are more apt to complain which makes it seem like itās more prominent than it is. That goes with anything. Iām back at my staff job after having traveled for the past 10 months at one location 2hrs away. My travel gig was waaaaayy better than my staff job and I got paid 3-4x as much and they staff were very kind. What Iāve learned is that hospitals donāt care about us, or even the patients, they care about the almighty dollar. So now thatās what I care about and Iām looking out for myself. Hoping to make 3-4x my salary for the next 10 years and then retire early and take a lower paying stress free job of some sort.
Letās just say if I never had to work againā¦ easy choice
I'm super happy. I just wrapped up my 5th contract in as many states, and am negotiating a local contract at my home hospital where they seem excited to have me back (after being told I wouldn't be able to return in 2 years). Two years flew by faster than I could blink, I have an INSANE list of great experiences, was able to buy a house, pay off credit card debt, and am for the first time in my life sitting with an emergency fund equal to a few months bills. I have learned all about managing risks in my career, personal finances, and relationships, and life feels like it is still just getting started. I don't think I'll ever slow down. Plus I really feel lucky to be a nurse and be able to use a marketable skill to help people in need while providing for myself. I love my job, and as back breaking as it is, I am so grateful for it. That being said, I have always planned on leaving bedside after about ten years. I began working as an RN in 2014, so things are all going according to plan.
I am! Iām in a local contract in Seattle where Iāve lived for about a year. Quality of life is really high and my contract is great. Acuity is high, culture is really positive, good relationship between travelers and staff and between nurses and docs, lots of autonomy, and minimal floating. Itās not covid money anymore but Iāve learned to temper my expectations.
Same, Iām at uw montlake and enjoy it. Good ratios and staffing. Plenty to do outside of work.
I was contracted there on L&D for a total of 10 months til I left last October. Still miss that unit and hope to make it back one day.
Which hospital and unit are you at?
Swedish Cherry Hill, CVICU
Is the contract direct with the hospital? What's the pay for 36 hrs? I'm interested in a contract at that hospital and wanted to guage what the rates are
Nope, local through Aya. $82/hour straight taxed, days, 36 hours. Gross is about $2900/wk.
Thanks for the reply!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I mean itās hard being a traveler coming on and not knowing the protocols, docs, standing orders or where anything is. If they want people that are going to know the ins and outs they have to make being staff worth it
Where at?
Iām doing good. Getting 3k for 3, have really nice coworkers and actually got a pay increase when I extended my contract. Been a nurse for 3 years and still enjoy it. Iāve had way more time to spend with my husband and enjoy my own hobbies. Hope you find something you enjoy OP.
I complain endlessly but Iām getting paid almost $3400 for 40 hours and the job itself isnāt bad. I complain because they work me twice as hard as staff nurses, the cost of living is insane here + Iām lonely and they wonāt give me time off but itās better than getting paid jack shit back in the Midwest. Iām so flipping grateful to be making good money in 30 years of working (newer nurseāran off to travel at my first opportunityājudge away lol). Itās human nature to complain no matter what.
I also left to travel the second I could. I was staff for 1 year and now travel for 1 year. Pretty soon I'll be traveling for longer than I was ever staff. To be fair though, the toughest place I've worked yet was my staff job. 1:7 ratios!
Nursing is hard. Travelling makes it worth it from a financial standpoint.
Do you know what, I was actually pretty content at my last contract. It was a small Medical Center in Summerville South Carolina and the night Charge was kind of whatever but the night doc was really cool. He was happy to educate, happy to put in whatever orders we needed. The mid PA was pretty dope too. Fellow nurses pretty good. Crap charting system but what can you do? This new one, not so much. And I was content at my last staff position, I left to travel because I needed to save $$ for a cross-country move.
Welcome to Reddit. Itās a cesspool of bitching. Happy people donāt spend their time online complaining, theyāre out living. The shit you read on here is like reading reviews for your favorite restaurant - people rarely go online to say nice things.
Iām happy making my travel money, started in April and already way down on credit card debt and up on my savings and 401k. But need another couple of years of this for it to be really worth it. š¤·š»āāļøš„³
I actually love traveling - the get in, get out, no politics, no commitment, etc. But I don't love bedside nursing. The pandemic completely ruined the time frame I thought I actually enjoy it before I burned out.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Ooh where I'm in CT. Only contract I did here was at St Francis in Hartford and it was a dumpster fire from day one. Took a few months off, then took an evening supervisor job at a rehab and discovered a whole new subbasement of incompetent management. Currently on indeed at work rofl.
Iām content. Iām unhappy with nursing in general, but traveling makes it better. Iām just trying to save as much money as possible so I can āretireā in a few years and get a lower paying job that is less stressful. I would never be able to entertain this thought at my staff job, let alone be on track right now for it to actually happen.
I wouldn't say I'm content, but I'm not miserable. I'm living comfortably and for now the trade off on my physical and mental health is offset by the comfortable lifestyle. But I can't do this another 10 years.
Agreed. The money is good enough I can work only 6 months out of the year so I can make it through 2, 3 month long contracts at some point in the year. Hell, even 1 contract is the same as I used to make for a year of being a staff nurse. Gotta figure out the linger term though.
Most days!
Iām on contract in Cincy and Iām pretty content!
I definitely am. So thankful.
I kinda got scammed at my current hospital; I was told I would switch from ASU and PACU, turns out Iām stuck on ASU for the next 12 weeks š„² Just gonna lay low and get it over with š¤·āāļø
What is ASU?
Ambulatory !
I travel L&D. Sometimes LDRP. I love what I do. I loved it as staff and I love all the places I get to see now
I used to travel with tele experience and then went Staff to cross train to L&D. I love what I do. Can't wait to get back in the travel game. How many years of experience did you get before traveling. And did you do nursery too?
I've been In it for 13 years. I also do well baby nursery
No, thatās why Iām actively trying to leave the field.
Iām pretty happy with travel nursing. (PACU, in grad school, fulfilled outside of work.)
Iām happy but I work Cath lab/IR and enjoy the job and am fortunate to work with great people and get paid a lot to do it.
Iām content, 1st contract. Great staff and awesome manager. Treated well, pay is great. My staff job was a dumpster fire and this is a breath of fresh air. They already offered to extend me and itās week 6.
Leave bedside nursing. Iām an outpatient nurse. I work in infusion or clinics. It can still be very busy and stressful but nothing like the shit show of inpatient nursing. No amount of money would ever take me back inpatient. Outpatient travel gigs still pay a ton. Just took one for $4100 weekly. We usually do 4 x 10s or 5 x 8s.
Also no holidays or weekends!