June 2023 – October 2023
Thinking about taking a contract at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico? Here’s an honest review from my time working in the Medical ICU—the good, the bad, and everything in between. This hospital was a short assignment for me, and while it had a few highlights, it definitely came with its own set of challenges.
If you’re a travel nurse looking into this facility, here’s what to expect before you pack your scrubs.
📍 Hospital Snapshot
- Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Hospital Beds: 263
- Medical ICU Beds: 20
- Specialty Designation: Comprehensive Stroke Center
- Teaching Hospital: Yes
- School Affiliation: UNM School of Medicine
- Notable Specialties:
- At Lovelace Medical Center: Surgical Services
- Across the Lovelace system:
- Heart Hospital of New Mexico
- Lovelace Women’s Hospital
- Lovelace Cancer Center
🏡 Housing & Local Living
- Housing Setup: We stayed in what I’d describe as a multi-unit rental (we had the basement unit). It was affordable but not ideal for night shifters—we could hear every footstep from the neighbors upstairs.
- Commute Time: Just 5 minutes.
- Safety Concerns: Albuquerque has areas that can be unsafe, particularly one referred to as “The War Zone.” We were close to another hospital where we’d walk our dogs, but I never felt totally comfortable walking around my own neighborhood alone, especially as a woman.
- Nearby Campgrounds: None applicable for us.
📝 Pro Tip: Be very selective with where you choose to rent here. Location matters more than you’d expect.
👩⚕️ Orientation & Staff Culture
- Orientation Length: 1–2 shifts on the floor
- Was it helpful? Basic but enough to get started.
- Traveler Treatment:
I floated a lot early on—likely to test how I handled things. The staff wasn’t unfriendly, but definitely cliquey. I felt like an outsider for most of the assignment, and while people would help when asked, no one went out of their way to include me. That said, I was also pregnant, which may have impacted how they interacted with me. - Support from Management:
I only saw my manager once the entire contract.
💉 Clinical Experience
- Unit Pace: Typically manageable, but when patients decompensated, they went downhill fast.
- Common Patient Types:
- Liver failure
- Cirrhosis
- ETOH withdrawal
- Procedures: A-lines, intubations
- Learning Opportunities: Minimal
- Notable Equipment: None—basic unit setup
- Unit Environment: The walls were painted dark purple, which gave the entire unit a very dreary, closed-in feeling. It impacted the vibe more than you’d think.
✅ Pros & Cons
Pros:
The only real positive, was that it’s a lockdown unit, and no overnight visitors. Other than that, I was pretty indifferent to this contract. I came in to work my 13 weeks and go home. Nothing truly stood out in a positive way.
Cons:
- Constant floating to the PCU
- PCU assignments often involved patients with alcohol withdrawal, sundowning behaviors, or heavy ADL needs (frequent lactulose, full-assist care)
- Dark and gloomy unit environment
🧠 Nurse Logistics
- Floating Policy: Frequent. ICU nurses float to the PCU multiple times per week.
- Scrub Color: No uniform policy—wear any color or pattern.
- Charting System: Epic
- Parking:
- Free for employees
- Garage across the street from the hospital
- I’m not sure about differences between day and night shift parking rules, but I had no issues.
🔄 Would I Work Here Again?
No.
This hospital wasn’t a good fit for me—too far from home, and there wasn’t anything about the unit or culture that made me feel like I’d want to return. While I was offered an extension, I declined because I was getting further along in my pregnancy and wanted to be closer to home.
🧳 Final Thoughts
- Best Suited For:
Nurses who don’t mind floating and are comfortable managing liver-related cases and ETOH withdrawals. - Who Would Thrive Here:
- First-time travelers looking for a low-intensity ICU
- Nurses with a strong interest in hepatic patients
- People who prefer slower-paced units but can handle sudden acuity shifts
👩⚕️ Want more honest hospital reviews like this?
Follow along at SimplyJulesRN.com for real-deal insights, ICU tips, and travel nurse resources to help you thrive wherever you’re headed next. ✈️🩺