Just curious if anyone has worked in fort myers florida or the surrounding area during the winter months and if they had any suggestions for hospitals. I need to know how much they pay, what kind of stipend that area gets and ratios in the ICU. thanks for the help.
I worked orthopedics this past winter in Fort Myers at Southwest Regional which is one of the 5 hospitals Lee Memorial owns. Southwest was a good place to work, really friendly nurses. My gripe was I had to float alot but every floor I went to I was treated very well.An ICU nurse I met there had to float to the floors when census was low and he was not happy about that. Anyway, Southwest is moving into a brand new hospital about Feb. I would go back just because the nurses were so nice.
Fort Myers is a nice area too. Near Sanibel etc.
My rate was 28 per hour w/RNNETWORK and my apt was beautiful.
I think ICU might pay more...
forgot to mention that you have to take PBDS test and if you fail you are cancelled. So get a study guide if you go there
Thanks so much for your information. Could you tell me a little about your apt, what was it called, is there a website I could look up? Have you heard about any of the other hospitals in the area from other travelers??
My apt was at "The Lakes at College Point", FT. myers. Very Nice gaited with a swipe card to get thru the entrance and smaller pool but real nice, not too many kids there. Vending machines poolside and nice gym, showers, etc. There is assigned parking, so each spot has the apt # on it which is real nice.plus ample parking for friends, etc. It was quiet and clean
Gulf Coast Hospital is closing and moving to the new Southwest hospital. They will keep the tele floor. Health Park is brand new and beautiful but heard the nurses were snotty. Don't know about Cape Coral Hospital just that it is real small and Lee Memorial big and older. Guess it depends on what ICU level you want.
When were you planning on going? Snowbird Season?
also from the Apt you can walk to Publix and CVS in about 5 min.
Thanks again! Im hoping to go for the winter and into spring training... I'm a big red sox fan, so wanted to be there for that. I'll definetly do some research on those hospitals and hopefully find someplace that doesnt float me all the time and no more than 2 icu patients. I've heard some horror stories about patient ratios down there.
I worked 7 months at SW in the CMICU. It was a hellhole! Not evident at first b/c the people are good to work with...mostly! You will float a lot unless in the middle of season. No ancillary staff...one secretary for 7 days a week, 2 PCA's to cover 7 days, no tube system, pharmacy is not too bad, but lab is SLOW. Management is terrible...they have a favorites system and are horribly rude and 2-faced. You WILL work harder than anywhere else you have been and you will have 3 pt's in the ICU frequently. I still have friends there but they are telling me they canceled all of the travelers contracts as of recent. Fort Myers is a nice city, I liked it a lot..but the hospital system is definitely lacking in too many areas to readily fix. Good Luck! You will pay dearly for the sunshine...trust me!
I read the previous response to mine...I grew up in Naples-- about 20-25mins south of Ft. Myers. If there are jobs, NCH north campus in naples is great. My wife worked in the ICU and said it was great. Fantastic staff, challenging but not overwhelming patients. Naples isn't as big a town as Ft. Myers, but it's a great place to visit for a few months (everyone knows someone whos grandparents have a winter home in Naples):shades_smile:
-dukes
Be careful about NCH healthcare, though. I did my first assignment with them in ER last winter, and they cancelled A LOT of the travelers early, due to low census... I was going to be cancelled from my assignment at their downtown Naples hospital, but my recruiter arranged for me to finish out my assignment at their North Collier hospital...but a lot of travelers got cancelled and found themselves without jobs. Plus they require PBDS.
Kdog wrote:I worked orthopedics this past winter in Fort Myers at Southwest Regional which is one of the 5 hospitals Lee Memorial owns. Southwest was a good place to work, really friendly nurses. My gripe was I had to float alot but every floor I went to I was treated very well.An ICU nurse I met there had to float to the floors when census was low and he was not happy about that. Anyway, Southwest is moving into a brand new hospital about Feb. I would go back just because the nurses were so nice.
Fort Myers is a nice area too. Near Sanibel etc.
My rate was 28 per hour w/RNNETWORK and my apt was beautiful.
I think ICU might pay more...
Was this AFTER LCMHS took over from HCA? I currently work for LCMHS and will be quitting soon. It has gotten really bad. I think the count for nurses quitting the SWFRMC ER is now at 15, many were long-term employees... I work at Gulfcoast (also aquired by Lee County)and loved it when I was on contract.. Hired on full time, and it has gone downhill bad.. We have lost all our good nurses, a few left on day shift, but it is horrible. I will not spend one more "season" here, I guarantee you that.. Contract or not..
Just FYI.... The CEO of Lee County Healthcare System, a "NOT FOR PROFIT" organization, earns $12,000.00+/week... But he is ordering staff cuts, hour cuts, and yet draws that kind of salary??? Insane...
Kdog wrote:Gulf Coast Hospital is closing and moving to the new Southwest hospital.
You have it backwards... They are building the HUGE, new addition to Gulf Coast and will be merging SWFRMC with GCH and closing SW.. ER is going to be 42 beds with a huge fast track.. I wont be here though. They are going to do the move IN THE MIDDLE OF SEASON!!!! OMG, I cant even imagine... Who thinks of this stuff??
I worked at SW after HCA was out.
The nurse manager of ortho is excellent and treated me and all the nurses with respect and fairness, that is what helped make the assignment good.
I did have the move backward but SW is so old and awful the sooner they move the better. The patient care DON said the move will be a challenge but must be done.
Not sure if they will take travelers this year due to financial issues.
Where else is a good place to work? Naples gets good reviews.
I interviewed for Ortho but somehow it turned into Neuro,,,so I went to SW. don't like Neuro
