another newby questions

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Greetings,

I'm writing seeking some advice. In 6 months I'm eligible for early retirement with the VA. Been contemplating travel nursing. It's been a dream to travel, and not tied down to a full time job.

The majority of my 30 years has been in-patient psych, some E.R. and Clinical Case management. All of it government and public health. No private sector work.

Have found some helpful post in this forum, but I still have some questions.

Floating, I fear of being floated to medical/surg floor. Not too sure of my skills performing bedside care.

Availability of psych positions? Is one agency better than others?

What do I need to watch out for in signing contracts?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

DRZmaui

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You shouldn't be floated from psych to medsurg, but you can confirm that first with the agency, and then again with the interviewing manager. I've asked that question of a couple of psych travel nurses and they have never been floated. Wouldn't you usually have to go to another facility for that to happen?

What you want is a good recruiter. A good recruiter at a bad agency is far better than a bad recruiter at a good agency. You can only find out who is going to work for you by talking to them. As a psych nurse, you may be even better equipped than the rest of us to evaluate the quality of communication.

Most any agency will get some psych job orders, but perhaps not enough to keep you busy. I'd suggest focusing on very large agencies such as Cross Country and American Mobile. Another larger agency that has a special interest in psych is Supplemental - they started as psych only. Also try Worldwide for psych. All are probably worthwhile enough to ask for a different recruiter at the agency if you don't click with the first one. My normal recommendation is to move on to another agency if you don't click as there are hundreds of agencies and that is easier "psych" wise than calling a manager and asking for a switch - but agencies good for psych are too limited to just burn an agency because you don't like the first recruiter.

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Thanks for the advice.

How much time is needed to complete paperwork for a traveler? The reason I'm asking, The V.A. would like a six month notice for retirement. It's getting close to that, and I need to make a decision pretty soon.

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It depends. All an agency actually needs up front to submit you for an assignment is a work history, a skills checklist, and two verified references. There is a ton more stuff when you accept and many if not most agencies will try to squeeze much of them out of you ahead of submission.

I'd highly recommend that you get your own written references to keep for your own professional portfolio. Agencies will not give you a copy of the ones they obtain. A reference letter is snazzy, but a form is faster and easier to get someone to do. You can find good forms on PanTravelers for download (with a free membership).

Once you have them, they are much easier to verify so your referees won't be contacted so much and you will be much more valuable to a new agency (which is why a previous agency won't give you copies).

The other thing you can start working on now is physical stuff. You need an annual physical clearance to work, titers and/or vaccination records. TB is a particular hassle with some hospitals requiring a two step within 30 days or less of start. I'd recommend Quantiferon instead. A more sensitive test, it is good for a full year along with a TB questionnaire. A lot less hassle.

You also need to explore the important topic of a tax home before starting to travel. Read more about it on PanTravelers or TravelTax. It may take a while to sink in!

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Psych related:

A agree that with the specialty of psych I would start with a larger agency to have more options and get your foot in the door and travel experience under you belt. Work with multiple agencies (at least 3) to keep your options open.

Contract related:

Make sure you see a contract before you agree to anything, don't even agree verbally (because some agencies will try to hold you to it). Read it top to bottom and ask questions. Look for hidden things like; missed hour charges (paying for time off) and no guaranteed hours (getting called off a lot because you don't know what your contract said about cancelled shifts). Make sure you have a good understanding about what they mean. "Blue Pipes Blog" is a good online resource to learn more about the contract aspect and what to expect when traveling.

Good luck in your future endeavors!

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Thanks for the suggestions, as for tax, my residence is in Nevada (no state income tax). Will all of your recommendations.

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A tax home has nothing to do with the taxation level of your state of residence. It has to do with being eligible for tax-free status on stipends you receive from agencies. That directly affects your federal income taxes and state income taxes (you still have to pay income taxes to every state you work in). This tax free benefit is worth about $10,000 a year in net income to most eligible travelers. You do need to read about it.

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you guys are great! This site been of great help

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Have you considered the VA Nurse Travel Corps? You are already familiar with the system and the pay scale is fairly good.

I'm currently a VA nurse and am looking to join the travel corps in the spring.

VA Travel Nurse Corps (TNC) - Veterans Health Administration

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Yes, I did try the V.A. Travel Nurse.

They seemed indifferent, and marginally helpful. Had difficulty reaching anybody, then finally reaching someone, Check out Job's USA, find an opening, and then call us back”, Never had that ‘warm and fuzzy' feeling.

Too bad, I wish to stay with the VA, but think it time to try new experiences

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