Healthcare Traveler - March 2009 - (Page 19)

Assignments in these settings not only can oﬀer a diﬀerent perspective, but also can open up a plethora of professional opportunities. Anne Baye Ericksen A ccording to the American Hospital Association, there are 5,708 registered hospitals in the United States. Additionally, research shows there are at least 3,500 freestanding ambulatory surgical centers where an average 2,000 procedures are performed each year. Combined, these two practice arenas represent the primary employers of perioperative nurses and certified surgical technologists (CSTs). “Inpatient operating rooms still make up the largest demand for nurses, but in the past few years, we have seen significant job growth created in ambulatory surgical settings,” comments Betty Wageman, senior vice president of account management for San Diego, California-based AMN Healthcare. “This is good news because as healthcare systems look to function more efficiently while maintaining quality care, they will increase their network of multi- and singlespecialty outpatient surgery centers. This, in turn, will create more need for perioperative professionals in both environments.” Travel to any major metropolitan area and, chances are, you will find both types of facilities scattered throughout the city. But urban locales are not the only venue with the need for surgical clinicians. There is as much demand in rural regions. Notes Betty, “There is a variety of different rural OR options available for future and existing travelers.” The question is, do practice styles and responsibilities differ for those mobile clinicians assigned to the ORs in any of the nation’s 1,997 rural community hospitals? Also, what are the pros and cons to accepting a contract in these smaller ORs? Read on to find out how two travelers, who were used to practicing in urban facilities, adjusted to the country life. Then check out what the future looks like for these unique opportunities. Seeking something new In 4½ years as a mobile clinician, Ron Chatelain, CST, has traveled to some picturesque destinations, such as Napa Valley, California; Denver, Colorado; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has also witnessed cutting-edge techniques in action with contracts at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both in Boston, Massachusetts. “I chose those assignments because I was excited at the chance to work alongside doctors who trained at prestigious institutions like Harvard Medical School,” says the traveler who is registered exclusively with Curastat Healthcare Group, a staffing agency located in Phoenix, Arizona. “Every assignment so far has been wonderful, but for my current contract, I wanted something entirely different. I chose to go to an area I had never visited before so I could experience a change.” March 2009 Healthcare Traveler Photo: Getty Images/Digital Vision/Stewart Cohen 19

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - March 2009

Healthcare Traveler - March 2009 Editor’s Desk Contents Paws for Thought Field Notes Company Corner In a Flash Rural ORs Balancing Act Clinical Highlights Drug Update On Assignment Cityscape Name It Tax Facts Big Deals Advertisers’ Index Going the Distance Contest Rules Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - March 2009

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