Healthcare Traveler - September 2008 - (Page 18)

Last month, Patrick set off on his first opportunity away from home. He is scheduled for the 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Delaware. “I prefer the night shift, and I work 12-hour shifts, 3 days per week,” he describes. Not only is the town new to him, but so is the suburban ED. “It is not as high acuity as I was accustomed to at my previous assignment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP),” says Patrick. “That was a very large department with 90-plus beds.” Patrick chose CHOP because he knew it would make him more marketable. He explains, “Nearly all the patients were under the age of 18, and they came from all over because the facility is renowned for highly specialized surgeries. We also cared for Amish children from central Pennsylvania, and of course, local residents, too.” What really stood out about that contract was the extensive number of trauma cases brought to the facility. “We had many injuries as a result of violence. I will always remember one patient in particular: A 16-year-old boy who was shot four times in the chest. When we removed his clothing, we discovered he was wearing a bulletproof vest. That was a shock because I had never seen anyone other than police officers wearing the protective gear. However, it saved his life and he only suffered a few broken ribs.” Seasonal conditions also influence different regions in different ways. In the summertime, when school is out of session, Patrick sees more kids admitted to the ED. “We treat more children involved in bicycle and skateboard accidents.” Whether practicing in a high-traffic urban ED or a smaller community department, travelers must adapt to their surroundings. Patrick recommends that travel nurses rely on confidence, organizational abilities, and assessment skills. “The Number One job for nurses in the ED is time management, which requires highly attuned critical thinking abilities. You have to make quick judgments. You could be dealing with multiple cases at once and you have to tap your knowledge and experience to determine which ones are more serious and need your immediate attention.” Another challenge that exists in healthcare facilities across the U.S. is personality differences. Patrick advises, “Go in with an open mind. Ask questions, and be ready to adapt.” Although he has valued his time in the Northeast, Patrick looks forward to leaving the cold winters 18 Healthcare Traveler September 2008 behind. He has collaborated with his recruiter to select assignments in areas with warm weather, and will rent out his permanent home while he travels. In October, Patrick will fly off to an assignment in Hawaii. The biggest difference between there and the Northeast is about 60 degrees. “While everyone here is in the throes of late fall and early winter, I will be walking to the beach.” Midwest: An enduring spirit The people in the Midwest survived hard times this spring. This region was battered by Mother Nature when local rivers rose at record-setting rates. Homes, businesses, and communities were left tattered and torn. One of the hardest hit states was Iowa. To make matters worse, an F5 tornado with winds in excess of 261 miles per hour touched down near Waterloo. “It’s months later, and some houses are still uninhabitable,” says Connie Elder, ADN, RN, ACLS, BCLS, PALS, ENPC, TNCC, who has lived in Iowa most of her life. “But my husband, Roger, and I were blessed. We only experienced slight water damage in our basement.” Roger typically remains in the Hawkeye State while Connie fulfills contracts for Medical Staffing Network, a healthcare travel company located in Boca Raton, Florida. She credits her friendship with her recruiter, Shannon, as her inspiration for continuing to pursue mobile opportunities in the ED. About half of Connie’s 31 years of nursing experience has been accumulated in the ED. “I have also practiced in medical/surgical, telemetry, intensive care, critical care, pediatrics, and obstetrics. “I prefer the ED because I like the adrenaline and excitement of not knowing what is coming through the door. You have to be prepared for anything and everything, from chest colds to heart attacks to stroke symptoms. I enjoy using critical thinking skills and staying on top of my game.” She continues, “The types of patients I see depends on whether my assignment facility is near a body of water, situated near highways or recreational sites, or close to an industrial plant.” For the past 4 years, Connie, who began traveling to see different cultures and perspectives, has adopted a seasonal approach to her travel assignment selections. For example, she escapes the Midwest’s snow-filled winters for the warmer, drier climates of Arizona, New Mexico, or Arkansas. Each spring, Connie returns to her home in the Midwest. “It is where I grew up and something about the atmosphere and the people grabs hold of me.” Currently assigned to Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Connie is scheduled on the night shift. “A Harley Davidson www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - September 2008

Healthcare Traveler - September 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes Regional Differences in the ED Joining Together Drug Update Clinical Tips Cityscape Advertiser's Index Name It Travel Tips Big Deals Tax Facts Dot.com Contest Rules Allied Corner Going the Distance Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - September 2008

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