LOA while traveling

Specialties Travel

Published

I signed up to work for Fastaff. My first assignment starts 9/16. I have a full time staff job in New York. For some reason I'm afraid to quit. I'm afraid of losing my insurance between travel contracts. I'm afraid that I won't like traveling and will be out of a job. I'm afraid that I won't get back to back contracts and be out of work for a long period of time. I don't know if this fear is warranted or not. I was thinking of taking a one year unpaid leave of absence from my job to travel. If I like traveling then I'll resign. If for whatever reason I don't like traveling or if I'm out of work for a while, then I have somewhere to return to. Is that a good idea? Should I just put on my big girl panties and quit my staff job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Can you even GET a one year LOA? In my world- the only LOAs are for health reasons, and it is assumed if you work for someone else during that time you have committed fraud and will be terminated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can take an educational leave of absence for one year. I have 5 classes to go until I complete my BSN. As long as I return with a degree they won't question it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Nice arrangement!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No harm if they grant you a leave of absence. Right? So why not?

You can continue your current staff insurance. They may allow that without even invoking COBRA (which gives you the absolute right for up to 18 months) with your continued employment status. They probably will charge you either way, and you will have some sticker shock. Do remember that effectively insurance is coming out of your pay whether staff or traveler so it doesn't really matter if you are now exposed to the real cost. That said, you can examine agency insurance (usually poor) and on your healthcare exchange (you are eligible immediately with a change of jobs, no need to wait until November open enrollment) for your best deal. Do be careful that you choose a nationwide plan with physicians available in network in most places.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I asked to take a LOA from my staff job in Atlanta for the same reason and I got a big, fat "no". So I wasn't going to let fear rule my life and resigned and was on a plane to Hawaii within a week (they weren'it pleased with my less than two weeks notice but oh well). It's the best thing I've done in nursing. I don't know if I'll get other contracts or if I'll be out of work between jobs but right now I don't care. I am planning on staying here in Hawaii if I can and if not, I am keeping in touch with multiple agencies so when it's time to leave I will have some leads on new positions.

For me once I left I feel I can never go back. I don't have a house or family back at home as some travelers do but my boyfriend is joining me out here next month and I plan on making a living out of traveling somehow. It just depends how bad you want it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED/trauma.

It took me two years to finally get up the courage to travel. I had a lot of the same concerns as you did, in addition to many others. I finally took the plunge at the beginning of June. I'm nearing the end of my contract and opted to extend. I couldn't be happier. It's exactly what I hoped it would be. I opted to sign on with a local staffing agency at home, so I can work episodically when I'm home, which will help fulfill my tax requirements. Also, if I'm ever in a position where I'm waiting on a new assignment, I can always go home for a bit and work while waiting. But no more staff work for me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nice set up!

Just to clarify, it is not necessary to work at home for tax purposes, but it certainly helps to solidify your tax home status.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment