I R_N to: Golden Gate, Golden State, SF Guide

Hey Bay Bae

Hospital: UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, California

Neighbourhood I resided: Lower Pacific Heights found via Craigslist

Transportation: I brought my car up to SF with me only because I couldn't find anywhere to store it. Most people who live in the city can get away with using public transportation (Muni/BART) or ride sharing (Lyft, Uber, etc). Also, it's super easy to catch a flight to anywhere in the world via SFO or Oakland International.

Compensation: If you are money hungry NorCal is the spot to make good money, their pay packages are incredible but you bet your bottom dollar you will be paying a shit ton in rent...

Cost of living:  It's the most expensive city in the United States, rent prices are completely unreasonable within The City limits. The tech industry has come in and jacked up the prices making $5500/month rent the new norm. Here's a breakdown of the liveability of SF. There are options to live outside of the city (Marin, Oakland, Richmond, etc)....but you'll need to factor in the cost of commuting, parking, gas and car maintenance. 

My two cents: Comparing NorCal to SoCal is like apple and oranges....it's impossible. SF was very different than what I had imagined and at the same time it wasn't. I realize that statement probably only makes sense in my head but I went there with high expectations thinking it was a city I could live a make roots and I just didn't get that head over heels type of feel. From talking with patients that were born and raised in the Bay area it seems as though the tech industry has come in and taken the city by storm. I think 10 years ago with the hippie culture and psychedelic vibes it would've been a different story but for me it just seemed like much of the same. The food scene is absolutely incredible and I had some of the best meals I've ever had in my life while living in SF. A huge draw to living in SF is that it's very accessible, you have everything you need within the city limits and it is seated in the perfect location allowing you to pop to Napa for Sunday Funday's or Tahoe for a weekend of skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer. I was very fortunate to meet really good, genuine people while I was there and love to visit for a weekend but for now I'm over hearing, "yeah I work for a tech startup"......

“It’s an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco”

— Oscar Wilde

I R_N to: Austin, the ultimate southern gentleman

ATX

Reminiscin over how we used to flex in Texassssss. Honestly, have you ever heard anyone say anything awful about Austin?! The humidity doesn't count, it's Texas....get over it. IMO, Austin is your older brothers super hot best friend that will always make your knees weak. I feel like it's a city for the young and good looking. It's busting at the seams with incredible live music, mouth watering tacos and good vibes. Austin was my first travel nursing gig and I'm so glad he was my first. The city set the bar pretty high but the work was ehhhhh. Let's just say people aren't flocking by the bus load for healthcare treatment in Texas. I'm not hating on the hospital I worked at but I had just come from Duke, it's not even fair to compare the two hospitals. I was hired on as supplemental staff to help with their conversion to electronic medical records. They were going from paper charting to computer......again, it just seemed very antiquated to me. Everyone is incredibly friendly and the staff could not be more welcoming. The manager wore cowboy boots with her scrubs and I am not lying when I say she is one of the nicest humans I have ever worked with.

Hospital: Seton Medical Center, Austin, Texas

Neighborhood: West Austin in the cutest house I have ever seen rented off of Turn Key

Transportation: I (okay, my boyfriend at the time) drove my car 20 hours south to Austin. In my opinion you'll need a car in Austin, to run errands or take a weekend trip it is necessary. Austin broke up with Uber/Lyft last year so it won't be an option. But anything you can do, Austin can do better, they rolled out a nonprofit rideshare program, RideAustin.

Compensation: The pay was pretty much the same as what I was making in North Carolina, meaning it's horrible. The cost of living is so low that the pay package was fine. I lived in a very nice size two bedroom house with a screened porch and backyard, the dream! Everything's bigger in Texas, just not your paycheck.

Cost of living: The city continues to grow and attract those from the east and west coast looking for the best of both world, which in turn is causing the cost of living to increase. Compared to the rest of the country and taking into account their strong economy you are still getting a lot of bang for your buck. It's forever topping the lists of Best Places to Live. Food is super affordable and finding cheaper housing outside the city is an option.

My two cents: If there is a position in Austin, take it. I'm going to interview another travel nurse in the weeks coming to get an unbiased review of the hospital but at the end of the day, it's just work. You'll get through your 40 hours each week and spend your days off consuming tacos and beer or kayaking down Lady Bird Lake.

“There is a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas”

— Willie Nelson

Hospital Honor Roll

Here's who ranked top of their class

Each year U.S News curates a list ranking the best of the best hospitals throughout the United States. There's a lot that goes into the ranking but this list is a great resource to see which hospitals are knocking it out of the park. The majority of these hospitals are academically affiliated and often times have travel positions or have had them in the past. I've worked in four of the hospitals on the list and will give you all the nitty gritty on how they shape up in my humble yet totally accurate opinion. 

Without further adieu, 2017-2018 Best Hospital Honor Roll per U.S News

1. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
2. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
4. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 
5. UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, California
6. University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor
7. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
8. New-York Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, New York, New York
9. Stanford Healthcare-Stanford Hospital, Stanford, California
10. Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, Philadelphia
11. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles
12. Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
13. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
14. UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15. University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora Colorado
16. Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia
17. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
18. Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
19. NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
20. Mayo Clinic Phoenix

Travel Nursing 101: Is this lifestyle for me?

Is life on the road right for you?

There are a million reasons why I can tell you to become a travel nurse (and I will!) but it is essential to do a self assessment before delving in. Many fellow travel nurses will agree there are certain personality characteristics that are necessary be a successful gypsy nurse. 

1) Experience: You need a minimum of 2 years experience in the speciality you're applying for, in fact most places now require it. Learning a completely new system and work culture is difficult but having a solid foundation from experience will give you those gut instincts that can prevent things from heading south.

2) Flexibility: You need to accept the fact that you're the outsider walking into the lions den. You'll be the first to be floated, the one getting shit shifts and in some cases the heaviest patient load...it's just the way it is. The management wants to keep the staff happen, you're temporary. Once you prove yourself and work with the team rather than against it things will shape up but it is crucial to be flexible and at times bite your tongue. I cannot stress to you how many times I feel as if I am the one getting the most patients throughout the shift or walking in to work on my unit only to be told I'll be floated elsewhere. It's easy to get discouraged and feel as though you are dispensable. Look at the bigger picture of things, it's only thirteen weeks, you can get through anything for that short of time!

3) Organization: There's an overwhelming amount of paperwork that comes with the start of a new assignment in addition to state licensing, certifications and competencies. Sometimes I feel like I need a personal assistant to handle all of it but through the years I've found a system that works for me. It's crucial to keep track of receipts for tax time and make sure your BLS/PALS/ACLS all are up to date, small bumps could cause big waves. For the most part it seems as though nurses are Type A and organisation is one of life's biggest thrills...good for you, but anyway you slice it, it takes effort! I'll be sharing how I stay on top of everything in a later post!

4) Self advocacy: This goes for working with your recruiter in addition to working on the unit. Tell your recruiter your expectations and what you want to get out of travel nursing. They are (hopefully) there to help you but if something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct. If you feel like you're getting jipped with your pay package or it feels "off" you must say something. Also, anytime at work you feel unsafe or that your license is on the line by doing something outside your scope of practice you need to speak the heck up. Familiarise yourself with the expectations the hospital has for you so you can avoid any situation that has the potential to spiral out of control.