Possible new traveler .. what are your thoughts?

I was looking into traveling as an option to make more money, possibly see new things. I have experience in the ICU for the past year and a half and have talked to a few travel companies. Readylink and Cross Country Travel. Readylink does the tax advantage (does that get you at tax time?). Cross country offered 32/hr with $1100 housing? Even though I'd live in my current house (job is 50 miles away). Does this seem right - similar to travel jobs? My brother in law makes $45/hr as an echo tech traveling. I'm totally new to the traveling idea and wanted to try a local job to get my feet wet first. I'm just tired of making $19/hr in a hospital I don't really even like!
Also, should I travel as an ICU step-down nurse or stay full ICU? I'm just nervous that they would throw me in to 'over my head' situations in some institutions.
Are hospitals generally really strict about ACLS certification. I don't have it yet (scheduled to take it in January) and the local travel job says ACLS and PALS required for ICU stepdown. I've worked in two ICU's without ACLS as of yet (although both said it was required before employment).
Thanks!