I'm scared to travel!

NedRN · Mar 18, 2016

The traveler's mantra: It is only 13 weeks. Or: I can do anything for 13 weeks.

Could it be worse than your present situation? Seems unlikely.

iwanttobethebest · Mar 19, 2016

Think of it this way new adventures are usually always exciting.

I would start by reading through the travel forum. I've found very insightful information from posters who are just starting and ones who have over 20 years of experience. I definitely agree with what Ned said it seems unlikely that any travel assignment or situation would be worse than your current situation. Best of luck with everything!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2016

Go to California, I believe it is the BEST place to start out as a traveler. Caution, it might spoil you for every other place out there lol. But seriously, do it and you wont regret it.

luv2 · Mar 20, 2016

There is Faststaff the pay is high and the assignments vary.

I did my research this was the only company the appear to be honest and upfront with their expectations.

NedRN · Mar 20, 2016

I'm curious how you collected this information on Fastaff and what their expectations are?

TheNurseStudentMom · Mar 20, 2016

I can't help you with traveling, but I can say that you can get towels and cookware for 1 or 2 at WalMart for about $50. 2-3 towels and washcloths plus 1-2 place settings, a put a pan and some utensils is all you need to get started. Good luck. I wish you all the best as you try to exit your current situation.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 21, 2016

Please leave you abusive relationship. I don't care if you travel or not, that needs to be done. Cut all ties with this person. No one deserves to be abused.

luv2 · Mar 23, 2016

I google and did my research.

NedRN · Mar 23, 2016

I google and did my research.

Google told you that Fastaff is honest and is upfront with expectations? Quite remarkable. Google never says anything like that for me.

traveler782 · Mar 24, 2016

I was 36 when I started traveling. I had been a staff nurse many years. I just got bored, feed up with hospital politics and our working condition. I did it for the money but mostly for mental change. In your situation what have you got to lose?

You need to find a good big agency first. I can name a few. I say this because while they may not offer you to highest initial pay you are going to get lower offers on your first assignment offers anyway. So might as well have the support of the large company.

Go with a recruiter who has been doing it for a couple years. NO NEWBIE recruiters for your first time. Research the areas you would like to go...apply for your licenses there through their state nursing boards. The companies will reimburse you on license cost. I say do this now because the time to get licenses varies greatly from state to state (California is 3 months on a good day).

I recommend not getting to pinned to the money thing just yet (don't take low crap though). You are new so you need to get that first contract under you. Then you show you will finish a contract and it greatly improves your marketability.

Look for Mid sized hospitals 150-300 bed to start off. They tend to be easier pace and more friendly in my experience for a new traveler.

I also suggest taking their housing (though means you make less as you have to pay for their housing department and such). I find my own places and try to live responsibly though it is more of a hassle. But remember this is your first assignment and it is more of a learning curve. Maybe take a contract near extended family and rent a room from them to start off with (just a idea)?

Loneliness can be the biggest problem. My first contract was in a crappy large hospital in florida. My coworkers were miserable initially, 3 vent patients on drips each night, trachs, sepsis every where, staff pissed off. I almost left it..I finished it out though and by the end they asked to renew me. But 13 weeks go by soo fast and I politely said no thank you. After that I was flooded with contract offers. I jumped agencies and moved across country. Make your mind up to work, budget and plan mini trips. Save up and fly back home between contracts to see family (most companies if you stay with them will float you insurance for couple weeks between contracts so you have mini vacation).

Remember though you maybe a knowledge base and key player in your current ER but when you are a traveler you are entering other nurses domains and there is a pecking order. Put your ego away and just enjoy being paid more, do not get involved in drama, pettiness, and hospital politics. After all you have the luxury of moving on in 13 weeks!

I have bumped into 23 year old women doing it by themselves and 50 year old married couples. If they can do it, so can you. Set your expectations to reasonable, budget, keep up your mental health and go enjoy life. You have the skills, knowledge and experience.

On the relationship issue. My advice is to start getting licenses where you want to go. Though if you needed a immediate exit you could start a travel assignment in your home state far away that current situation til you got your feet under you. Life is too short. I say throw a match on that relationship and burn it. There is a world out there..go!

traveler782 · Mar 24, 2016

There is Faststaff the pay is high and the assignments vary.
I did my research this was the only company the appear to be honest and upfront with their expectations.

I would be cautious with online search reviews and such. Many companies pay people or have their own staff leave fictitious reviews. No bad talking FastStaff (they do strike nursing also) but I have heard equally contradictory things about them from other travelers. Some agency are good general, some a mediocre and some as a whole are bad. Most of the time the recruiter is the difference maker with all other things being considered.

Its a buyer beware situation.