Advice from a travel nurse

Hoozdo, ADN · Oct 19, 2009

Times are not too good for travel nurses due to the economy. The jobs aren't there anymore and the pay is low. My staff job with benefits pays more than what I would get as a traveler.

Many hospitals are not even hiring regular nursing staff, let alone travel nurses. Perhaps this might change by the time you are ready to travel.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Oct 19, 2009

Travelers get less than regular staff at my hospital. Also, you float first, are cancelled first, and get the 'bad' assignments.

EmergencyNrse · Oct 19, 2009

Travelers get less than regular staff at my hospital. Also, you float first, are cancelled first, and get the 'bad' assignments.

Traveling has more advantages than just the base salary. I currently get less money than staff nurses in the same facility but here's the kicker:

-I'm in company furnished housing worth $1800.00+/month.

- I pay NO utilities. Gas, Electric, Water & Sanitation is covered. (In Cali electric is EXPENSIVE to run the thermostat @ 68*)

- $600.00 or more is given as traveling expense per contract. (Tax Free)

- I receive 700.00/month for a rental car or gas allowance. (Tax Free)

- NO money is taken out of my paycheck for full coverage insurance both Medical & Dental.

- Everything I spend is tax-deductible as job related expense. I will take close to $25,000 off my gross income this year for tax purposes.

- Under contract you get paid for 36-hrs/week regardless of hospital acuity. Send me home? Naaah, I'm the last to be sent home. Where others are forced home to burn up PTO/Vacation you're set. They have to pay you anyway. You're not going anywhere.

- There are no "bad assignments" for those of us that do networking and know where to go and where to avoid. You only get stuck when you're too lazy to research an assignment before you go.

Every day is a new experience and something else to see and do. So many others are stuck at home doing the same old thing. Same old routines. I have not had a TV in 3 years and don't miss it. If I'm not @ work I'm out doing stuff. Don't let the nay-sayers distract you. Traveling is awesome!

Rent Free-

A walk in the park. Not a cloud in the sky (it's rained twice in 5 months):

A stroll down to the beach:

vivacious1healer · Oct 19, 2009

I did some traveling and learned some tough lessons on which companies will take care of you and others that treat you like dirt after they get you signed for a contract.(American Mobile and Emerald Health were the worst; and I did not complete my contract siting unsafe work conditions, violation of contract, consistently wrong hours/$$ on paychecks, and fear of losing my nursing license!) And no, i was not penalized for ending contracts early, which they WILL threaten you.

Get at least 2 years of experience before you venture off (most agencies require at least one); by that time more that likely the market will look better for this type of nursing. There are websites for travel RNs where they rate different companies, and you can chat with other travelers and their experiences/recommendations.

Best of luck!

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

Traveling has more advantages than just the base salary. I currently get less money than staff nurses in the same facility but here's the kicker:
-I'm in company furnished housing worth $1800.00+/month.
- I pay NO utilities. Gas, Electric, Water & Sanitation is covered. (In Cali electric is EXPENSIVE to run the thermostat @ 68*)
- $600.00 or more is given as traveling expense per contract. (Tax Free)
- I receive 700.00/month for a rental car or gas allowance. (Tax Free)
- NO money is taken out of my paycheck for full coverage insurance both Medical & Dental.
- Everything I spend is tax-deductible as job related expense. I will take close to $25,000 off my gross income this year for tax purposes.
- Under contract you get paid for 36-hrs/week regardless of hospital acuity. Send me home? Naaah, I'm the last to be sent home. Where others are forced home to burn up PTO/Vacation you're set. They have to pay you anyway. You're not going anywhere.
- There are no "bad assignments" for those of us that do networking and know where to go and where to avoid. You only get stuck when you're too lazy to research an assignment before you go.
Every day is a new experience and something else to see and do. So many others are stuck at home doing the same old thing. Same old routines. I have not had a TV in 3 years and don't miss it. If I'm not @ work I'm out doing stuff. Don't let the nay-sayers distract you. Traveling is awesome!
Rent Free-
A walk in the park. Not a cloud in the sky (it's rained twice in 5 months):
A stroll down to the beach:

This is an EXCELLENT idea IF you have great experience to begin with.....I traveled once just to get it out of my system (before kids) and it was a great experience....maybe I'll do it again later when my kiddies are older =)

GalRN · Oct 20, 2009

I have not found the "travel nurses get treated the worst" bit to be true. The hospital where I work is small... 70 odd beds and the psych unit where I work is 12 beds. They treat me with respect and are grateful when I do an extra shift. Maybe this is unique b/c of the small # of nurses actually working together. I do not float and never will. I get floaters sent to me all the time.

On the other hand my mom is a staff RN at Mass gen'l and she says the travelers get all of the crap assignments.