March 2022 – June 2022
If you’re a new traveler looking for a smooth and supportive entry into the world of travel nursing, St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia might just be your perfect match. As my very first travel contract, it gave me everything I needed: a friendly team, low-stress shifts, and a pace that made learning manageable.
Here’s what you need to know before taking a Medical ICU contract at St. Francis Hospital.
📍 Hospital Snapshot
- Location: Columbus, Georgia
- Hospital Beds: 376 (across two campuses)
- Medical ICU Beds: 36 (not always at full capacity)
- Designations: Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center
- Teaching Hospital: Yes
- School Affiliation: Mercer University School of Medicine
- Specialties: Open Heart Surgery
🏡 Housing & Local Living
- Where We Stayed:
A newly renovated 2 bed/2 bath triplex—super quiet, beautiful big brick homes nearby, and an overall family-friendly neighborhood. Honestly, it was one of my favorite rentals. - Commute Time: 10 minutes
- Campgrounds: Not applicable
- Affordability & Safety: Very safe and peaceful, and worth the price for the quality of life. No complaints here!
👩⚕️ Orientation & First Impressions
- Orientation Length:
- 2 days of hospital orientation
- 1 shift on the unit
- Helpful?
Absolutely. Especially being new to travel, I appreciated the full breakdown of expectations and workflow. - Traveler Treatment:
I felt welcomed, respected, and appreciated. Travelers were treated like part of the team from day one. - Staff Culture:
Warm, supportive, and laid back. A few people made my experience especially meaningful—and I’ll never forget one moment where I apologized during handoff for not getting to something, and the oncoming nurse said:
“That’s fine. It’s a 24-hour job.”
That single sentence reframed how I view teamwork and expectations in nursing. It reminded me that no one is perfect, and support should always trump shame. - Management Support:
Consistently involved through shift huddles and day-to-day communication.
💉 Clinical Experience
- Pace of the Unit: Chill—great for easing into travel life
- Patient Types: AKI, DKA, respiratory distress
- Common Procedures: Intubations
- Hands-On Learning: Not much, but plenty of space to settle into the ICU flow
- Resources & Tech: No advanced tools, but APRNs were available at night, which was helpful
✅ Pros & Cons
👍 Pros:
- Ideal for first-time travel nurses
- Relaxed, low-pressure ICU environment
- Super kind and welcoming staff
- Night shift APRNs available for questions/support
- Safe, quiet, family-friendly housing nearby
👎 Cons:
- Honestly, none worth mentioning. I truly enjoyed my time here and would’ve stayed longer had an extension been offered sooner.
🧠 Nurse Logistics
- Floating Policy: None during my time there—neither I nor other travelers floated
- Scrub Color: Royal blue
- Charting System: Cerner
- Parking:
- 2 parking garages (both connected to the hospital)
- Surface lot available for day shift (a bit of a walk)
- Free for all staff
🔄 Would I Work There Again?
Yes, without hesitation.
I loved being close to home, felt comfortable in the hospital and my housing, and appreciated the laid-back yet professional environment. This was a great contract for easing into travel and truly boosted my confidence.
- Extensions Offered? No, but I would’ve accepted one if it had been offered in time
- Did It Feel Like Home? Yes
- Standout Moments: That “24-hour job” quote? Stuck with me forever. The culture here helped heal some of my previous nursing burnout.
🧳 Final Thoughts
- Best Suited For:
New travel nurses who want a gentle, supportive start to their journey - Who Would Thrive Here:
Anyone looking for a chill, low-acuity ICU that still provides a solid experience
Perfect for those who want to build confidence without being thrown into chaos - What Future Travelers Should Know:
This is a great stepping-stone hospital. It’s not about the adrenaline rush—it’s about easing into the role, building connections, and rediscovering what you love about bedside nursing.
🩺 Want more hospital reviews for ICU travel nurses?
Visit SimplyJulesRN.com for the full review series, insider tips, and support for nurses on the move 💻💉