Anyone worked at Cedars, RRUCLA, or San Diego Hospitals?

I finally have my paperwork in order and am ready to take an assignment (I am Canadian so getting a Visa Screen and NCLEX and Caifornia license took time!!). My heart is set on SoCal and am really interested in RR-UCLA or Cedars for the LA area. Also interested in San DIego area with Scripps facilities....  I am PACU/ICU with 10+ years. There are no openings right now with my company (RN Network) so I am just waiting for now....
I would love to hear any experiences good or bad anyone has had with these places!! Gimme the dirt!
Jennifer

So Cal is a great place to start (that's what we did)! You might want to submit your profile with AMN though just because they seem to have tons of assignments in that area. If you do, let em know that Bronc Leach sent ya! You should be able to get something in the LA area pretty easily. San Diego can be a bit more difficult, but still available. Good luck!!!

Hey Jennifer!

I've worked with several Canadian citizens and its crazy to hear about the process you go through to get your Visa Screen and licensure!  Southern CALI is a great place to travel though and well worth the wait! Especially San Diego!  We actually get a lot of jobs in San Diego and work with several of the hospitals that you are mentioning.

Let me know if you want to chat!

Take care,

Lindsay Manes
Senior Recruiter-Clinical One
512-287-7025

I just finished an 8 month assignment at cedars and loved it! I hope that you have made it out there by now but if you have any questions let me know

I worked in San Diego last winter. I love San Diego....weather, beaches and the people. I, however didn't like the hosptial I worked for there....Kaiser Permamente....they treat travelers poorly....as ICU nurses (all travelers I worked with) we were the float pool for the hospital....may have worked in my assigned unit 1/4 of the time.If recruiter had been up front about this, I wouldn't have accepted assignment there.

 I have a friend who worked at Scripps and loved it there. And I've heard good things about Sharps. Would love to do another assignment in San Diego someday. 

Thanks for the input so far! I am still waiting for an assignment  - I am being picky since this will be my first one and I still have the luxury to wait for the right one!  
There are not as many PACU positions to choose from as I first thought. UCLA is quite competitive I have heard so it makes it that much harder. There are Kaiser positions for the L.A. area but I am staying clear from them for now due to the negative feedback from other travelers...

Re: Kaiser facilities: I have heard the same issues about floating. I am wondering if all nursing specialties are floated out or is it just the ICU nurses?
 
rnestl01: what company were you with for your Cedars contract? I am really interested to know about your experience! What nursing specialty were you working? (you can private message me if you would like)

Thanks
Jennifer