First travel assignment - Texas

[cryptic12]

Hi All,

I am about to take on my first travel assignment in February. I'm choosing Texas as a destination. I was thinking San Antonio, but know nothing about Texas. Could anyone advise me on neighborhoods in San Antonio or other towns in Texas. I'm pretty nervous about my first assignment - any help would be appreciated.

[traveler RN]

I have been traveling since 2006 in the Carolinas. The biggest and hardest to deal with is the fog. It was so thick one time while in SC, a Ford Expedition was a now you see it and now you don't, and I still had 20 miles to drive in the mess because the clinic pulled a fast one. The other clinic was only 15 miles away, so I was told, when it was actually 44 miles 1 way. I have tried to stay in these 2-3 states as I live in VA. and I still get a chance to be somewhat close to home and near people I know but I still get homesick.Today on the weather chan. it showed myrtle beach and savannah in fog. My last job was in savannah and the fog and torrential rain can be brutal at times because of poor lighting and flooded roads.The growing trend now is to send you to 2 clinics for 1 check. I got caught my first assign. in SC because I didn't know any better. When you spend 1 hr driving in the dark and bad weather, deer crossing atc. it makes me think 2x now . If I'm not close to my assign, I'm not doing 2 clinics. A fellow traveler friend just turnd down a small town in NC because of no housing and would to drive from Chapel Hill for a 5am start time. In Sc and Georgia be prepared to deal with the world's biggest roaches, bedbugs and extreme heat. I carry Ortho Home Defense Max. You may also see them in Texas because of the heat. Did I fail to mention ants also, usually in the fall. All the research is not going to help until actually get to your 1st assign. and see for yourself what you are dealing with. Sometimes the companies do well and sometimes it,s a crap shoot. Also as a traveler your medical is only good as long as you are on assignment, unemloyment benefits I think you can get from the last state you worked in, not sure on this .I have just gotten back to work this month because no jobs available unless you were willing to go west, been home since 12/30/08 and not being able to get RXs filled because of no insurance. I'm looking at getting off the road after this year and gettig a perm. job again.

[yadda_yadda_yadda, LPN, LVN]

You're gonna enjoy Texas! I practiced nursing in Texas from 1993-2006, primarily in the Austin area.

We relocated to the Pacific NW in 2006.

Austin is loaded with culture. If you enjoy live music & entertainment, GO! Take an assignment during April-June & catch SXSW (South by SouthWest)...it's a HUGE music venue...loads of new, up & coming entertainers---and it's amazing.

If you enjoy beaches, head to Corpus Christi. The healthcare there is amazing...the scenery is gorgeous.

Personally, having lived 39 of my 42 years in Texas, San Antonio would not be in my top 5...if you're going to be there long-term.

There are lots of "unsavory areas" in San Antonio if you aren't familiar with the area. Don't go out alone @ night. I'll leave it @ that.

Dallas/ Ft. Worth has lots of exciting healthcare facilities, too. HUGE area...easy to get overwhelmed in such a huge place.

I'd pick Austin if you've got a choice.

It's super-hot & dry out there now (all over Texas)...not sure what type of weather you're used to. I've gotten sensitized to the weather after moving to the NW coast...can't take that heat anymore. (My family still lives in Victoria...about ~100 miles from Corpus Christi...and when we visit, I feel like I'm gonna melt...or pass out..

Wherever you choose, it'll be an experience. Enjoy the culture..take in some festivals if you can (you'll love those!)

If you have time, here are some cool places to go:

Fredricksburg...famous for their peaches. You'll never taste a better peach or see prettier hill-country.

Gruene...an old, rebuilt cotton-gin town...loaded with eclectic shops, an old dance hall (George Strait got his start @ Gruene Hall)...amazing crafter weekends.

San Marcos...they have one of the largest outlet malls in the US...it totally ROCKS! Plan on spending an entire day there!

Georgetown...they have a FABULOUS candle factory..it's right off I-35.

And the Riverwalk in San Antonio...along with the Alamo...and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

Waco..they've got the Dr. Pepper Museum.. (Bet not many peeps knew Dr. Pepper originated in Texas, at a pharmacy.)

Yep..I'm Texas-proud!

Enjoy your agency trip!

Oh--If you're there during the Fall, you absolutely MUST take in an Aggie footbal game!

The spirit & energy behind the preparation is unlike anything you'll likely ever see.

Better get..I've almost written you a little "Texas tour-guide" :)

Enjoy your trip!