Sutter Coast Hospital Traveler Review

noordinarypath
Jun 26
3 min read

🏥 Sutter Coast Hospital – Crescent City, CA

Facility Type: Non-profit, community acute care hospital

Bed Count: 49

Teaching Facility: No

Trauma Level: Adult Level IV, no pediatric

ICU Scope: 6-bed unit, more step-down than full ICU

Charting EMR: Epic

*Note: Chatgpt is an amazing tool that I believe comes in handy for analyzing reviews. This information was gathered by me, Kristin Farnsworth, from travelers I have worked with as well as various social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit and then filtered through Chatgpt to put it all in an easy-to-read format.

📍 Location & Logistics

Address: 800 E Washington Blvd, Crescent City, CA
Transit: Local bus (Redwood Coast Transit) available
Recruiter Notes: Candidates must know it's a small, remote facility. Low housing options in Crescent City; Brookings, OR (~20 min north) is often better place to stay.

💬 What Travelers & Staff Say

👍 Positive Highlights

“Pretty chill hospital…a good spot if you like to hike”
“Gets busy as all crap for a small hospital…work with some great people!”
“I’m ICU and I love it here. Supplies/resources can be an issue, but the staff is friendly and helpful.”
Indeed rating for RNs: 4.2/5, citing supportive management, good work-life balance, pay, and culture indeed.com +1indeed.com +1

👎 Challenges & Caveats

Limited ICU scope: Many describe it as intermediate care rather than true critical care (IMCU/step-down)
Resource constraints: PDFs mention limited resources, especially overnight (e.g. pharmacy draw, med mixing)
Mixed culture reports: Some Facebook users talk about staff toxicity in ED. Others say teamwork is strong
Small-town drawbacks: Crescent City is remote, with few restaurants/shops and some reports of petty crime; Brookings considered safer/better indeed.com +10sutterhealth.org +10hospitalsafetygrade.org +10

🛠️ RN Experience Breakdown

Patient Ratios & Staffing

ICU ratios typically 1:2 (step-down); MedSurg/Rehab 1:4–5
Labs, EKGs often done by lab staff; no tech coverage in ICU

Orientation & Schedule

One-day orientation per unit (MS & Rehab) per Facebook RN
Night shift setup: 3×12 hr with on-call by census

Amenities & Safety

Free parking & locked-access units
Panic buttons, security patrols, and locked doors enhance safety
Epic charting; Pyxis medication system glassdoor.com +7travelnursingcentral.com +7allnurses.com +7

🌲 Lifestyle & Housing

Outdoor Access: 10 min from Jedediah Smith Redwood Park, close to surf/tide-pool areas – a scenic haven en.wikipedia.org
Housing: Crescent City limited (Craigslist or hospital rental list). Many opt to stay in Brookings, OR. RV parks are an option reddit.com
Town vibes: Quiet, rural — ideal for outdoor lovers but with little nightlife. Some mention petty crime/homeless presence

✅ Pros & Cons Summary

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Friendly, supportive staff & travelers welcomed	Limited ICU capability (IMCU environment)
Beautiful, outdoor-rich location	Scarce local amenities & remote setting
Competitive travel rates	Potential culture issues on certain units
Free parking, secure environment	Resource constraints overnight (pharmacy, etc.)

🎯 Ideal Travel RN Match

This is a great assignment for RNs who:

Want a smaller, tight-knit, rural hospital
Enjoy autonomy and versatility across ICU/step-down/telemetry
Prioritize outdoor activities over city life
Are self-sufficient in resource-limited settings

Not the best fit if you prefer:

Full-scope ICU with robust resources and specialty support
Consistent tech staffing and overnight pharmacy coverage
Busy urban setting with vibrant social and dining scenes

✅ Final Take

Sutter Coast Hospital offers a refreshing departure from urban hospital assignments. Perfect for RNs seeking autonomy, close team dynamics, and incredible natural settings. While resource limitations exist, many travelers highlight the supportive culture and compelling CA travel pay.