Travel nursing -- is it dead?

Specialties Travel

Published

What has happened in the last year or so with travel nursing upsets me. I mean -- I had always hoped that once I worked my way up, got some decent experience, that I, too, would also be able to try out some travel positions where I could travel and ALSO increase my salary, in a much deserved way, and continue to work at a decent level of pay throughout my career.

Now that travel nursing seems essentially to be on its way out, I just feel like administrators, bean counters, the so-called "economic crisis" etc has all just come together to screw nurses once again out of opportunities to further and better themselves in a very difficult career.

Does anyone wonder if it's all a bit manufactured? I mean, our hospital has just AXED travel contracts dramatically in a very short time. Could they be taking advantage of the situation, or has it truly been necessary to cut it out?

Makes me mad that I will now be relegated to the same job, the same lower end pay scale, for as long as I want a "steady job." Seems nurses are once again given the short end of the stick and kept down, so to speak. We tried, through travel nursing, to better our lot in life, and now this.

Does anyone else feel the same way? I sometimes cannot believe that nurses just lay down and accept it. I have seen many very experienced nurses recently sign on as staff at our hospital, and I assume they have taken major cuts in pay in exchange for this so-called "security." I just have to wonder if we've all been roiled again.

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Travel Nursing Dead?

Nope, it's alive and well. Some of the wages are down a little. Benefits maybe but it's still awesome to travel.

Enjoying sunny San Diego while my home in Atlanta is flooded. It's rained here once in 4 months, no SPRINKLED for about 15 minutes. Great weather.

Way to torture a girl!! I arrived back home in rainy upstate ny after being on the central coast of cali for 10 months...cant go back for a really long time, have fun!!

Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

When I was a travel nurse, it was a number of things combined that made me do it. The higher pay was at first the priority attraction, along with just plain wanting to witness life in certain places I was considering living.

I can tell you this though, the compensation does not outweigh what you go through. The company you work for can be a PIA to say the least. My recruiter was an amateur and I should have changed companies, but I didnt. Also, the risk of a hospital overhiring and thus cutting contracts is almost always looming. Even when times were good, I had it happen once. Then you factor in what can sometimes be BS practices on the unit............unfair assignment of pt's, a poor overall general attitude towards travelers due to their pay from people who.........cant do what you do but want what you have, and almost nonexistent health coverage.

So, if you are just in travel nursing for the money, you will be out within two or three assignments after starting. Now, if you enjoy other aspects of it.....meeting new people, seeing new places.....being left out of the staff politics........you can last at it.

what do you exspect from corporate america. You know what happens if you fight the wrong fight i.e. "pick the wrong battle" ....you lose Nurses are a number and are exspendable at any cost to the institution.

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
what do you exspect from corporate america. you know what happens if you fight the wrong fight i.e. "pick the wrong battle" ....you lose nurses are a number and are exspendable at any cost to the institution.

huh? .... no, really. huh?

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Let's live and let live with spelling errors, shall we?

Specializes in LTC, SNF, Corrections.

My 2 cents on travel nursing...

I am a LVN and have had great success with getting a travel assignment. I called 1 agency and they placed me within 4 weeks! I am really enjoying the new experience and new scenery a lot... I am hopeful that I will have continued success with getting future positions. It seems that, in corrections anyway, there are many travel opportunities. The work is not that bad - I went into this position with no expectations or preconceived ideas of what the job would be like.

As far as pay and benefits - I may not have retirement, but the health benefits are great and the pay is better for me than if I was working for a prison directly. At present, if I wanted I could work 7 days a week due to sick calls and nursing shortage.

I have really enjoyed working as a travel nurse so far and appreciate that the permanent staff has made me feel welcome!

DavidPDX,

How long were you an LPN before you took a travel assignment? This is something that appeals to me and any info you have would be great! I have been told it's difficult to find travel jobs as an LPN. Thanks!

Specializes in LTC, SNF, Corrections.

Hey zeppzepp2009!

I have been a LVN / LPN for 1 1/2 years now. I think the difficulty is in finding an agency that works with LPN's (many of them seem to primarily or only work with RN's). I got my job in CA. If you want more information on who I am working for send me a private message and I will give you my agency's contact information. Thanks!

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