Travel Nursing in NYC

Specialties Travel

Published

  • Specializes in Cardiac, surgical, neuro.

Hi guys,

I'm a 29 year old single female with a 15lb shih tzu and almost 4 years experience in nursing - 1 year in medsurg (Phoenix, AZ), 2 years in NeuroTelemetry/NeuroStepdown (Delray Beach, FL), plus about 6 months of floating daily to all units (Delray Beach, FL) - cardiactele, medsurg, medtele, direct admit, surgical care, cardiac stepdown, surgortho, surgical stepdown, trauma stepdown, etc (excluding any ICUs). I'm looking into finally taking a big girl step 👣 into the world of traveling. I'm nervous but after floating for 6 months I now feel I have the strength and the skills to succeed. I'm a great people person and love to travel. I think this might be a good thing for me but won't know until I try, right? 😊 I'm looking to grow as a nurse and a person. It'll be nice to experience a new environment and make new connections.

I'm thinking of starting possibly during the spring time in preferably the Manhattan 🗽 area if possible for 13ish week contracts depending on what's available, then maybe Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego (and not necessarily in that order). Who knows, if I love it maybe even more places or lengthier contracts 😀

I'm trying to find out my best option for signing with various agencies, housing options, applying for state license, best hospitals, what I should look for and question, etc. Any info/input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Jackie 👍

JackieK316

13 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac, surgical, neuro.

FYI, I do have my BSN with ACLS, BLS, and NIH certifications. And I'm looking to know if anyone is interested in doing the same. A partner in crime would ease my nerves for sure ☺

Lastly, in regards to which hospitals may be in my best interest, what are the average ratios, etc? Since this will be my first travel assignment I'd prefer housing close to the hospital (walking distance) until I can get used to the subway system and all.

NedRN

1 Article; 5,773 Posts

I believe NY requires all nursing licenses ever held to be verified. Similar states include MA and NJ. PanTravelers has a great board resource to look up that kind of information and lots of other info as well (like what questions to ask). The point being is that you will save yourself time and money planning what licences to collect now.

California is is a great place to work with relatively high pay and mandated staffing ratios. Currently it takes months to get a license. So the sooner you get started on that, the better. But bear in mind what I said above. If you get a California license before getting licences in those states, it may take months to get those licences too - waiting for the snail mail California license verification to get there.

Besides California, any state with heavy union penetration is generally good to work in with better than average pay and staffing ratios. That would include all the Pacific coast states (including Alaska ), New England, and parts of Mid-Atlantic. But frankly with your Florida experience, you should be able to deal with unfavorable staffing ratios!

With most states, even California, once you get the initial licence, you can let it lapse and renew anytime without waiting. So there is no need to keep up the expense. Florida is an exception to that statement and you may want to keep it up until you find out how much better it is everywhere else.

adpiRN

389 Posts

Specializes in L&D.

I worked at New York Presbyterian Cornell and it's a great hopsital and neighborhood.

I was in L&D though so can't give you much other info.

I didn't get the impression that ratios were great though....

When we got travelers on our unit I think they came through Novapro, Cross Country and American Mobile (though I've heard bad things about them...)

PacoUSA, BSN, RN

3,445 Posts

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I currently work in NYC through American Mobile, on my 2nd contract with them on the same unit. I disregard any bad reviews about the agency because my experience has been all positive, and my recruiter has been awesome. I work on a cardiac tele unit where the average ratio is 5:1 ... can be 6:1 if they are short a nurse, but that happens to be rare. The pay is great, much more than my staff salary at another hospital. Cannot complain.

JackieK316

13 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac, surgical, neuro.

Thanks! I'm continuing to do my research and hoping things will start to fall into place soon 😀

All4NursingRN

377 Posts

Don't know much about travel nursing but I'm a NYC RN, I hope you enjoy your stay here in the big apple! best of luck! I'm sure you'll find something nice. Stick to the big hospitals like NYU, NYP, Mount Sinai, Beth Israel!

JackieK316

13 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac, surgical, neuro.

I'm definitely looking forward to getting a fresh start sometime soon!

Hex, LPN

97 Posts

Specializes in Tele, Medsurg, Stepdown.

I have been traveling for almost 5 years (total of 8 of experience) and all 5 have been in the NY-NJ area. Met my wife in NY and that's why I never ended up leaving and touring the country like I had originally planned. Don't make that same mistake lol

In all seriousness, you sound like you're more than well prepared for traveling. NY is a blast. You'll most likely like it there. I worked at Beth Israel, Presbyterian, and Saint Luke's, the latter one was my favorite, I stuck around almost 2 years there.

AlishaaaRN

8 Posts

I'm planning to start traveling this summer too for the first time!

I'm 25, F, from VA. Been in the CCU for two years (first job out of nursing school after doing a 3 month nurse residency)

I want to travel and see the country and your travel list is matching my list... Adding on a Utah/ Colorado assignment in there too!

From all my reading it sounds like the most important things are:

1. Having a successful first assignment under your belt... even if may not be in the exact travel destination you want to be.... I also realize my specialty ICU experience will make it even more difficult for me.

2. Getting EVERYTHING in writing.

3. Talk with multiple recruiters from different agencies so you can compare offers.

4. Take the stipend as you make more money and can find your own place that you like and accommodates your needs.

5. Before accepting an offer, read up about the hospital on this site to see the reviews it's gotten.

6. Have a good attitude.

I hope it works out! If you start an assignment this spring, let me know how it's going! I've been harassing a few friends from nursing school about doing travel nursing with me and can't get any bites. I feel like this is such a good opportunity with our profession and can not pass it up!

But agree a partner in crime would make it better :)

Good luck!!

~~Alisha~~

jmwallace

4 Posts

To the OP, Was wondering how this has worked out for you? I am currently trying to figure out the logistics of getting a travel nursing gig over in NYC. Any updates would be so great!!

jb595

1 Post

Hi. My contract ends in July and I plan on doing the same thing. I am originally from New York and I want to move back. I haven't completed my research, but I am trying to find out what would be the most beneficial financially: Travel Nursing in NY or just applying directly to a hospital. Let me know what you find out. Any info would be great. I've been working on Medical Step down for 3 yrs, acls and bls. :)

+ Add a Comment