Any young african american travel nurses?

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I was wondering if there were any young african american travel nurses and which assignement did u enjoy the most? On my first assignment and I'm not enjoying myself. I want to know the best places to go.

Specializes in NICU.

Hello: I just started traveling Sept 2011 and I am a NICU RN with 4 years experience now. Traveling so far has been great. I am currently in Austin, TX and it's going very well! Before this assignment, I was in DC and it was interesting, to say the least - I LOVE the DMV area, but I did not enjoy my time at the hospital - issues with floating, frequency and unit. Other than that, I am happy that I took the plunge :)

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

I am still contemplating the travel thing. I am struggling with the idea of leaving a full time job with benefits to work as travel nurse and many companies don't offer benefits (401k, insurance, etc). Is this really a good thing to do in this economy? Just wanted to hear some thoughts on it.

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Specializes in NICU.

Spoiled1....I contemplated for 1 whole year and talked myself out of it too for the very same reasons you are stating. I left a full-time job of 3 years as a RN (7 years total) and told myself 'it's now or never!' The companies I am working with DO offer benefits/insurance and 401K. Granted I have only been doing this since September 2011, but I have not had any problems finding a NICU job in the cities that I have wanted to work. The pay is good and it is definitely a bonus not having to pay rent and utilities each month, which has allowed me to save quite a bit of money!!! I say go for it...I am certainly happy I did :)

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.
Spoiled1....I contemplated for 1 whole year and talked myself out of it too for the very same reasons you are stating. I left a full-time job of 3 years as a RN (7 years total) and told myself 'it's now or never!' The companies I am working with DO offer benefits/insurance and 401K. Granted I have only been doing this since September 2011, but I have not had any problems finding a NICU job in the cities that I have wanted to work. The pay is good and it is definitely a bonus not having to pay rent and utilities each month, which has allowed me to save quite a bit of money!!! I say go for it...I am certainly happy I did :)

Thanks for sharing! Saving money and traveling to see the world is my motivation behind all of this. If I just HAD to I could live without the benefits as I don't see myself to be a long term traveler. Just wanted to do it before going to Graduate school. Any suggestions on companies? Do you work with more than one?

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Yes! I am Black and ... young at heart ... sorta.

I am an open heart surgical travel nurse with lots of experience.

I enjoy the flexibility and freedom of travel nursing. It feels great to leave an assignment and the politics of a facility.

I have been traveling since 2008.

The absolute bestest assignment I EVER HAD was my first one. I worked for the DOD (Department of Defense) on a 13 week contract on the island of Kwajalein (yeah, I said the same thing ... where's that? Thanks google) in the Marshall Islands.

It was f'n beautiful! A true tropical paradise. They had one OR (which I never got to work in). I did learn to work their ER, Med-Surg , Diabetes Clinic, and do Well checks. In other words, I learned a great many things ... including the sad history of the Marshallese people and their displacement from their native islands in part due to nuclear testing (Bikini Atoll).

AND,I learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean that was constantly 85 degrees, and snorkel and make friends.

I cried on the plane leaving that island. Yes, it was all that!

Good Luck to you. Maybe I will see you in the mix.

BTW, I work with more than one agency. I would advise staying away from HealthOne Staffing and Miles M. the recruiter. If you do, READ YOUR CONTRACT very, very carefully. They have a punitive clause whereby you have to pay them if you do not fulfill your minimum hours (facility calls you off, etc).

I got caught not realizing the pay week started on a FRIDAY -- THURSDAY instead of the normal Saturday or Sunday -- to Saturday or Sunday.

Right out of the gate I owed THEM money. Mr. M. could have warned me of that (and I should have noted it in my contract) but I argued with him for hours about that punitive clause (BEFORE signing) and he never mentioned my initial bend-over was coming with my first check. A bit unethical I would say.

Live and learn!

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

Wow your experience on the Marshall Islands sound amazing! :) Do you mind sharing some good agencies to work for?

Yes! I am Black and ... young at heart ... sorta.

I am an open heart surgical travel nurse with lots of experience.

I enjoy the flexibility and freedom of travel nursing. It feels great to leave an assignment and the politics of a facility.

I have been traveling since 2008.

The absolute bestest assignment I EVER HAD was my first one. I worked for the DOD (Department of Defense) on a 13 week contract on the island of Kwajalein (yeah, I said the same thing ... where's that? Thanks google) in the Marshall Islands.

It was f'n beautiful! A true tropical paradise. They had one OR (which I never got to work in). I did learn to work their ER, Med-Surg , Diabetes Clinic, and do Well checks. In other words, I learned a great many things ... including the sad history of the Marshallese people and their displacement from their native islands in part due to nuclear testing (Bikini Atoll).

AND,I learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean that was constantly 85 degrees, and snorkel and make friends.

I cried on the plane leaving that island. Yes, it was all that!

Good Luck to you. Maybe I will see you in the mix.

BTW, I work with more than one agency. I would advise staying away from HealthOne Staffing and Miles M. the recruiter. If you do, READ YOUR CONTRACT very, very carefully. They have a punitive clause whereby you have to pay them if you do not fulfill your minimum hours (facility calls you off, etc).

I got caught not realizing the pay week started on a FRIDAY -- THURSDAY instead of the normal Saturday or Sunday -- to Saturday or Sunday.

Right out of the gate I owed THEM money. Mr. M. could have warned me of that (and I should have noted it in my contract) but I argued with him for hours about that punitive clause (BEFORE signing) and he never mentioned my initial bend-over was coming with my first check. A bit unethical I would say.

Live and learn!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes! I am Black and ... young at heart ... sorta.

I am an open heart surgical travel nurse with lots of experience.

I enjoy the flexibility and freedom of travel nursing. It feels great to leave an assignment and the politics of a facility.

I have been traveling since 2008.

The absolute bestest assignment I EVER HAD was my first one. I worked for the DOD (Department of Defense) on a 13 week contract on the island of Kwajalein (yeah, I said the same thing ... where's that? Thanks google) in the Marshall Islands.

It was f'n beautiful! A true tropical paradise. They had one OR (which I never got to work in). I did learn to work their ER, Med-Surg , Diabetes Clinic, and do Well checks. In other words, I learned a great many things ... including the sad history of the Marshallese people and their displacement from their native islands in part due to nuclear testing (Bikini Atoll).

AND,I learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean that was constantly 85 degrees, and snorkel and make friends.

I cried on the plane leaving that island. Yes, it was all that!

Good Luck to you. Maybe I will see you in the mix.

BTW, I work with more than one agency. I would advise staying away from HealthOne Staffing and Miles M. the recruiter. If you do, READ YOUR CONTRACT very, very carefully. They have a punitive clause whereby you have to pay them if you do not fulfill your minimum hours (facility calls you off, etc).

I got caught not realizing the pay week started on a FRIDAY -- THURSDAY instead of the normal Saturday or Sunday -- to Saturday or Sunday.

Right out of the gate I owed THEM money. Mr. M. could have warned me of that (and I should have noted it in my contract) but I argued with him for hours about that punitive clause (BEFORE signing) and he never mentioned my initial bend-over was coming with my first check. A bit unethical I would say.

Live and learn!

Can you tell me through what avenue you secured this position?

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Find an agency that does government/military contracts. At that time Intelistaf was my agency and the subcontractor for that government assignment.

I would google some agencies that do government contracts. OR, ask among other travelers who have worked abroad.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Yes I am thinking about going to grad school as well, but I may start an online program while traveling. I am with 2 of the largest - American Mobile and CrossCountry, but I was just told about Aureus Medical so I may check them out also!

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"Wow your experience on the Marshall Islands sound amazing! :) Do you mind sharing some good agencies to work for?"

Really, I do not know of any 'good' agencies to work for.

They do their job which is trying to get you, the nurse to work for the least amount so that you do not eat up their profit/bill rate. They dangle bells and whistles in front of you (tax advantage, 'free housing,' etc).

But it comes down to what you need at the time, how much are they willing to negotiate and whether your recruiter (and the company) is ethical.

My recruiter for the Marshall Islands was ... great. She really worked to find me a position (in the middle of the Pacific Ocean LOL). But, she went to bat for me. Then, she quit, the company.

Realize, this is business. Most recruiters work on commission and they have a quota.

Really, really have your game together so that they want you ... they really want you. Better yet, so that they NEED YOU!

I work as an independent contractor. Which means, I do all my taxes, find my housing, am self-employed and negotiate my contracts ... with an agent. It is a lot of work, but mostly worth it.

I partnered with Mel Johnson at RVisions. He was my agent/partner in setting up and negotiating my contracts,with my specifications and input. Sometimes I deal directly with the client/facility.

This is not for newbies. You have to have a strong background in your specialty, an unquestionable reputation as an expert in your specialty, as well as be an experienced traveller. I have all three and then some.

A fellow traveler in Casper, Wyoming told me of Healthcareseekers.com. They got her an assignment in Northern Cali, Mary Splithe is the contact there.

Part and parcel of the process of travelling is finding a company that resonates with you. What works for me at any given time may not work for you. Know what you want, what is your bottom figure and is it going to move you forward in your career?

Maybe the money sucks at one assignment, but you will be working in a high acuity setting (gaining massive experience in a short period of time). If the place has a name and reputation, that goes in your resume.

Do not forget to get a letter of recommendation from the head nurse, or charge nurse or a fellow colleague.

Good Luck!

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Yes! I am Black and ... young at heart ... sorta.

I am an open heart surgical travel nurse with lots of experience.

I enjoy the flexibility and freedom of travel nursing. It feels great to leave an assignment and the politics of a facility.

I have been traveling since 2008.

The absolute bestest assignment I EVER HAD was my first one. I worked for the DOD (Department of Defense) on a 13 week contract on the island of Kwajalein (yeah, I said the same thing ... where's that? Thanks google) in the Marshall Islands.

It was f'n beautiful! A true tropical paradise. They had one OR (which I never got to work in). I did learn to work their ER, Med-Surg , Diabetes Clinic, and do Well checks. In other words, I learned a great many things ... including the sad history of the Marshallese people and their displacement from their native islands in part due to nuclear testing (Bikini Atoll).

AND,I learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean that was constantly 85 degrees, and snorkel and make friends.

I cried on the plane leaving that island. Yes, it was all that!

Good Luck to you. Maybe I will see you in the mix.

BTW, I work with more than one agency. I would advise staying away from HealthOne Staffing and Miles M. the recruiter. If you do, READ YOUR CONTRACT very, very carefully. They have a punitive clause whereby you have to pay them if you do not fulfill your minimum hours (facility calls you off, etc).

I got caught not realizing the pay week started on a FRIDAY -- THURSDAY instead of the normal Saturday or Sunday -- to Saturday or Sunday.

Right out of the gate I owed THEM money. Mr. M. could have warned me of that (and I should have noted it in my contract) but I argued with him for hours about that punitive clause (BEFORE signing) and he never mentioned my initial bend-over was coming with my first check. A bit unethical I would say.

Live and learn!

Can you tell me through what avenue you secured this position?

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Specializes in OR.

Hi all,

I am AA and 27 years old currently on my first assignment in San Diego. I love it here. The people have been very receptive, the weather is great, and my housing is beautiful. I am also a single parent traveling with two children. So far so good and I was offered an extension during my 3rd week.

When I first got here someone told me that they weren't very receptive to black nurses but I have not had an issue with anybody.

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