June 2022 – July 2023 & July 2024 – November 2024
Looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Let me give you the inside scoop on SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. This was my second travel contract, and I ended up staying almost a full year—and even returned for another six-month stint! I worked in the Neuro ICU, built strong friendships, and gained a ton of experience.
If you’re a fellow ICU nurse curious about the vibe, logistics, and unit dynamics, here’s everything you need to know before taking a contract here. 💬
📍 Hospital Snapshot
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Hospital Beds: 365
- Neuro ICU Beds: 20
- Designations: Level I Trauma, Stroke, and STEMI Center
- Affiliations: Teaching hospital affiliated with St. Louis University School of Medicine
- Not Magnet designated
- Specialties: Cardiac, Neuro, Trauma (and more within the SSM Health system)
🏡 Housing & Living Logistics
We stayed in two different setups during our contracts:
- Rental House: About 10 minutes from the hospital. Tons of rental options nearby across various budgets.
- Camper Life: We stayed at a campground in St. Charles, MO, about 40 minutes away. There are also closer campgrounds (~15 mins) if you want to cut down on your commute.
👩⚕️ Orientation, Staff Culture & First Impressions
- Orientation:
- 1 full day of hospital orientation
- 1 shift of floor orientation
- Traveler-Friendly?
Absolutely. The staff is incredibly welcoming to travelers. This is one of the few hospitals I’ve worked at that felt like a second home. I was regularly offered extensions and always felt like part of the team. - Unit Vibe:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and can get overwhelming during codes (lots of responders), so you’ll need to take initiative as the primary nurse to limit crowding and keep the focus on direct care.
💉 Skills & Experience Gained
This hospital transformed my confidence as a Neuro ICU nurse. You’ll see high acuity patients and get hands-on with bedside procedures, such as:
- External Ventricular Drains (EVDs)
- Central Lines
- Arterial Lines
- Intubations
- Trachs, PEGs, and EGDs
The CT scanner is right on the unit, which is a major plus for Neuro!
✅ Pros & Cons Breakdown
👍 Pros:
- High-acuity patient population = non-stop learning
- Involved in frequent bedside procedures
- Charge nurses are approachable and always willing to help
- Neuro ICU has its own CT scanner for quick imaging
👎 Cons:
- Not a locked unit; max of 2 visitors at a time, 1 overnight
- Some attendings have strong preferences and may not communicate well with nurses
- Can feel overwhelming during emergency codes without proper crowd control
🧠 Nurse Logistics (What You Really Want to Know)
- Floating:
- Nights: Rare (~once/month)
- Days: More frequent due to higher staff ratios
- Scrub Color: Navy Blue
- Charting System: Epic
- Parking:
- Free for both day and night shifts
- Day shift: Surface lot (a short ~5 min walk)
- Night shift: Allowed in the parking garage
🔁 Would I Work Here Again?
Yes—and I already have.
This hospital has a special place in my heart. I’ve returned multiple times, and the manager has always made a spot for me. She even adjusted a contract start date to fit my schedule when I couldn’t make the original one. The staff genuinely wants you to succeed and stay—which is rare and so appreciated.
🧳 Final Thoughts
SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital is a gem for ICU travel nurses, especially those passionate about neuro. If you’re confident, love a fast-paced environment, and want exposure to a wide variety of neuro cases and bedside procedures—this is the contract for you.
Whether you’re trying to grow your skills, build your confidence, or just find a supportive and energetic team, this hospital delivers.
🩺 Ready to explore more travel nurse hospital reviews?
Follow along for more honest insights, ICU tips, and career resources at SimplyJulesRN.com 💻