Cruise Nursing

[headhurt]

I was on the CCL site and read their job discription for a cruise ship nurse. I was wondeirng if anyone actually knew someone who worked as a nurse on a cruise ship. Did they like it? What didn't they like about it? Did it pay well?

I'm looking at doing some travel nursing, but I thought cruise nursing sounded like big fun as well. Getting paid to cruise...what could be better?

Keep it in the short grass, y'all!
Heather
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Paradise 3/9/03

[bevo]

Headhurt-
Something to think about...I was a nurse (med/surg, then dialysis, then ER) for almost 14 years. Doing something like cruise nursing is going to severely limit your skills and knowledge. If you did cruise nursing for a year,and then wanted to work in a hospital setting,it would be quite hard to sharpen those skills and get yourself "up to date"...not that it can't be done...but it would be easier if you had a year or two of hospital nursing (travel or otherwise) undeer your belt before you do something like cruise nursing. Just my opinion...maybe I am just jealous. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

bev
Commodore '93
Carnival Conquest 3/9/03
Carnival Holiday 11/8/03
Carnival Legend 3/12/04
http://www.gifs.net/animate/plate_bite_b.gif

[derf5585]

providing medical personnel to the cruise industry
from
http://www.medhunters.com/employers/39040.html

Cruise ship RNs earn their sea legs
from
http://www.nursinghandsstore.com/news/features/03-09/cruise.asp

USS Chilton APA-38 1966-1968
USS Guam LPH-9 1968-1970
Pacific Princess Oct 21 2001 Bermuda
Golden Princess Dec 7 2002 "Eastern Caribbean"
Coral Princess Dec 9 2003 "Panama Canal"

Carnival Miracle 17 Oct 2004

NOT UPDATED again 25 Feb www.geocities.com/fsbsdel (http://www.geocities.com/fsbsdel)

[lemongirl65]

i too am a nurse and have researched cruise ship nursing. The nurses on a cruise ship work 12 hour shifts, i belive it is 4 on 2 off. The nurses can utilize public (customer) areas. All nurses recruited must have ER, ICU or CCU experience. The onboard medical center must be prepared/trained for severe emergencies with the possibilities of a high number of patients.
Yet, in reality, I am sure that the majority of a cruise nurse's shift is dealing with sunburn, seasickness, minor injuries, alcohol intoxication and the like. If I wasn't a wife/mother I would definitely look into cruise/resort nursing. ClubMed advertises in the http://nursingspectrum.com/

lordy! lordy! ms glory!
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[fullo'beans]

I am also an RN and work with a nurse who was employed by Carnival for 2 years. She absolutely loved it, finally got tired of not having a permanent residence, but is now thinking of returning. From her description it sounds like the average day in any ER, you get your drunks, those who do 'stupid human tricks' and of course get injured, and then there are of course your codes. She said it was herself and I believe 3 other RNs and 2 MDs, money did not sound bad and your meals/housing are provided. Single and ready to mingle then go for it, I don't think it would be too conducive for a family though.

[bevo]

interesting reading,there,Derf. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

bev
Commodore '93
Carnival Conquest 3/9/03
Carnival Holiday 11/8/03
Carnival Legend 3/12/04
http://www.gifs.net/animate/plate_bite_b.gif

[headhurt]

I won't be doing the travel thing for a couple years as I just signed a 2 year contract with KU Med in the ICU fellowship. By the end of two years, I'll have the competence and skills I need to work anywhere in the country.

I thought cruise nursing sounded like something unique and different. Definitely something to do while I am still single and no kids.

Keep it in the short grass, y'all!
Heather
<IMG SRC=http://www.justsaywow.com/IMAGES/shake_jello_lg_clr.gif>
Countdown til Graduation!!
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;5;20;19;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600
Miracle 2/13/05 Is it time to go yet???
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=FFA000&cdt=2005;2;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500
Paradise 3/9/03

[nrdsb4]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bevo:
Headhurt-
Something to think about...I was a nurse (med/surg, then dialysis, then ER) for almost 14 years. Doing something like cruise nursing is going to severely limit your skills and knowledge. If you did cruise nursing for a year,and then wanted to work in a hospital setting,it would be quite hard to sharpen those skills and get yourself "up to date"...not that it can't be done...but it would be easier if you had a year or two of hospital nursing (travel or otherwise) undeer your belt before you do something like cruise nursing. Just my opinion...maybe I am just jealous. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I disagree that it would be "quite hard" to reacclimate to the hospital setting after a year of cruise ship nursing. If you are single and not tied to home ownership, children, etc., I think it would be a great experience. Don't worry, after only a year you could certainly catch back up to hospital work. I've done so after a year of NO work. I work in ICU and it really didn't take long to get back into the swing of things. Good luck!