Adena Regional Medical Center

I want to write this review for newer travelers who might be intimidated by large academic medical centers. I just finished 26 weeks at this university hospital and it was genuinely one of the best professional development experiences of my career. Yes, there are residents. Yes, they sometimes write orders you question. Yes, morning rounds take forever. But here's what you get in exchange: you see cases you'll never see at a community hospital. Rare diagnoses, cutting-edge treatments, complex multi-system patients who challenge every bit of your critical thinking. The attending physicians are leaders in their fields and most of them are happy to teach anyone who shows interest, including travel nurses. I asked questions constantly and not once was I made to feel stupid for it. The nursing practice here is evidence-based at a level I hadn't experienced before. Journal club is a thing. Quality improvement projects are encouraged. They have a dedicated nursing research department. Is all of this necessary to be a good bedside nurse? No. But exposure to it made me a better nurse regardless. Practical stuff: Epic EMR with a complex build (lots of specialty flowsheets), Magnet hospital with all the committee expectations that come with it, and a dress code that's strictly enforced. Parking is a battle. The cafeteria is excellent. The facility itself is a mix of new towers and older buildings connected by a confusing tunnel system that you'll eventually memorize. My specific unit (MICU) had 1:2 ratios, a dedicated charge, and a clinical nurse specialist who was an incredible resource. Night shift had good camaraderie and the day/night dynamic was respectful. Travelers were treated well once they proved their competence, which is fair. Go in ready to learn, be humble, and you'll thrive.

Rehab hospital - took a 13-week PT contract. Caseload was 8-10 patients per day with 60-minute treatment sessions. Patient population was primarily stroke and TBI patients. The interdisciplinary approach here is genuine - daily team meetings with OT, SLP, nursing, social work, and the physiatrist. Documentation was in a specialized rehab EMR that took about a week to learn. Great for skill development in neuro rehab.

Facility is old but they keep it clean. Staff is solid.

ER docs order everything STAT. Even when it's not. Gets old.

They have a nurse-driven sepsis protocol. Early intervention, better outcomes.