January 2025 – March 2025
If you’re considering a travel nurse contract at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, Florida, take this as your sign to proceed with caution—especially if you’re expecting to work in the ICU and only the ICU. This was one of the few contracts I’ve ever walked away from early, and here’s exactly why.
Let’s dive into the real deal on my time in the Trauma ICU—from housing headaches and floating frustration to one big red flag: being hired for ICU but used to staff the entire hospital.
📍 Hospital Snapshot
- Location: Bradenton, Florida
- Hospital Beds: 383
- Trauma ICU Beds: 32 (not all in use)
- Designations:
- Level II Trauma Center
- Burn Center
- Teaching Hospital: Yes
- School Affiliation: USF Morsani College of Medicine
- Specialties: Burn ICU
🏡 Housing & Local Living
- Where We Stayed:
We originally planned to bring our camper, but winter in Florida = snowbird season, which made it nearly impossible. Campgrounds were either fully booked, overpriced, or restricted to 45+ communities. We ended up renting in Sarasota, about 45–60 minutes away. - Commute Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Campground Availability: Very limited during peak season
- Affordability: High cost of living and very limited availability made housing stressful and expensive
📝 Note: If you’re taking a winter contract in Florida, book housing early.
👩⚕️ Orientation & First Impressions
- Orientation Length:
- Half-day general hospital orientation
- One full shift on the floor
- Helpful?
Only in terms of learning MediTech, which was… an experience. - Traveler Treatment:
We were brought in for Trauma ICU but were quickly used as resource nurses to float across the hospital. There was zero transparency about this upfront. - Staff Culture:
Not great. On one shift, I had a crashing patient and got no help—not even from charge, who was more focused on recounting her latest date than supporting the team. - Management Support:
Nonexistent.
💉 Clinical Experience
- Unit Pace: Varied—some shifts were chaotic, others slower.
- Patient Types:
- MVAs
- MCAs
- Assaults
- Traumatic falls
- Common Procedures: Intubations, A-lines
- Hands-On Opportunities: None—minimal support, limited resources
- Notable Equipment: Nothing to note
✅ Pros & Cons
👍 Pros:
- 3.5 hours from home—that’s about it.
👎 Cons:
- Only contract I’ve ever left early
- HCA hospital—and yes, the stereotypes are valid
- MediTech charting system (ancient, clunky, not intuitive)
- Constantly floated—PCU, Med-Surg, ED holding
- No support or teamwork
- ICU contract turned into a hospital resource role
- Poor transparency and high traveler burnout
🧠 Nurse Logistics
- Floating Policy:
Nearly every shift. Floated to PCU, ED holding, and even expected to take full med-surg loads (up to 8 patients!)
Hired for ICU, but floated like a staffing bandaid. - Scrub Color: Navy
- Charting System: MediTech (prepare for frustration)
- Parking:
- Free
- Night shift: Parking garage across from receiving
- Day shift: Expected to park in the surface lot (further away)
🔄 Would I Work There Again?
No.
I left early for a reason. I was hired under one premise and used entirely differently. There was no respect for roles, no meaningful teamwork, and no support. The experience was disappointing and mentally draining.
- Extensions Offered? No.
- Did It Feel Like Home? Absolutely not.
🧳 Final Thoughts
- Best Suited For:
Honestly, very experienced nurses who don’t mind being floated everywhere and can function independently in understaffed, under-resourced environments. - Who Would Thrive Here:
Someone flexible, assertive, and ready to roll with a lot of punches—especially if you’re okay floating and taking on med-surg loads. - What Future Travelers Should Know:
This is an HCA facility with outdated systems, a lack of support, and a reputation that matches the stories. Proceed only if you’re fully prepared for flexibility and frustration.