Checking in: Loving my travel job!

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Hey everyone. My travel job is 1/3 over; one month down, two to go. I'm back home in Texas for two days, and back to AZ tomorrow.

Hate to say it, but I just do not like Texas at all. I miss my home state of AZ so much. Wish we could move back.

IMO, the Texas panhandle is a boring place, no jobs, low pay, bad weather, and just tooooo darn conservative for me.

I'm looking forward to going back to AZ to travel next winter. My town in Texas is full of laid-off dialysis nurses with nowhere to work.

As a nurse, I'm used to being in demand. I hate living where there is a surplus of nurses.

But, dh has the job of a lifetime here, so I guess we are stuck.

I've made new friends at my travel job, and have been socializing and having fun. Take care, everyone!

Hellllllo Nurse

*Traveler* :nurse:

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hey everyone. my travel job is 1/3 over; one month down, two to go. i'm back home in texas for two days, and back to az tomorrow.

hate to say it, but i just do not like texas at all. i miss my home state of az so much. wish we could move back.

imo, the texas panhandle is a boring place, no jobs, low pay, bad weather, and just tooooo darn conservative for me.

i'm looking forward to going back to az to travel next winter. my town in texas is full of laid-off dialysis nurses with nowhere to work.

as a nurse, i'm used to being in demand. i hate living where there is a surplus of nurses.

but, dh has the job of a lifetime here, so i guess we are stuck.

i've made new friends at my travel job, and have been socializing and having fun. take care, everyone!

hellllllo nurse

*traveler* :nurse:

hi!

i am looking forward to starting a new traveling career too. nc is waaaaaay to conservative to for (i am from nj) and so living in nc has been a big change. any advice for a first time traveler like me? i start in a few months. my first job will be in nj. :p

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Specializes in ER.

Glad you like it! I knew you would. I can't see myself ever going back to the BS of a hospital. Plus I just don't want to take a $20,000/yr pay cut!!

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Hey everyone. My travel job is 1/3 over; one month down, two to go. I'm back home in Texas for two days, and back to AZ tomorrow.

Hate to say it, but I just do not like Texas at all. I miss my home state of AZ so much. Wish we could move back.

IMO, the Texas panhandle is a boring place, no jobs, low pay, bad weather, and just tooooo darn conservative for me.

I'm looking forward to going back to AZ to travel next winter. My town in Texas is full of laid-off dialysis nurses with nowhere to work.

As a nurse, I'm used to being in demand. I hate living where there is a surplus of nurses.

But, dh has the job of a lifetime here, so I guess we are stuck.

I've made new friends at my travel job, and have been socializing and having fun. Take care, everyone!

Hellllllo Nurse

*Traveler* :nurse:

Oh dear, what part of Texas is this? I was seriously thinking of moving to Texas.

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I live in the Texas Panhandle- there is a surplus of nurses there. It's hard to get a job and pay is low, staffing is poor. I'm told things are better in other parts of Texas.

I completed my first travel assignment, and overall, it was a great experience. I'm off for two weeks, then I start my next travel assignment.

I was paid very well, and my apt/accomidations were very nice and secure. My unit was well staffed, as far as staff to pt ratio. I was treated with respect, and appreciation. I thought I would be lonely, but I made some good friends right away. I went out with co-workers 3-5 times a week. We went to restaurants, movies, and shopped. I received some very nice gifts, cards, and was taken out to eat 3 times my last week. I will miss the unit and staff. I was asked to extend my contract, but had already accepted another assignment, so I couldn't.

There were some politics and negative things that affected the unit, but being a traveler, I was not involved, and the problems did not affect me. I was even excused from all mandatory meetings! Also, regular staff had madatory overtime, and I didn't.

I hope to go back to the same unit next Jan.

I will post some helpful hints later, I'm kinda pooped out right now!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good to hear from you and I'm glad the experience was a good one for you. :)

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Hey there, Helllllllo !!!

Hadn't heard fom you for awhile..was wondering what you were up to. The last I heard, you were pretty burnt out on nursing in general, so I wondered what you ended up doing.

Glad you're enjoying the travel thing ! :) Are you still doing dialysis as traveler?

Good to hear you sounding so refreshed and encouraged ! Keep in touch !

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Helllo.

Great to hear all of your positive comments. I hope you have another great assignment and they all stay that way. Keep in touch and Good Luck.

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Hey Jnette, BarefootLady, and Tweety!

I was very burnt out on nursing for the last couple of years and had been looking for ways to get out of nursing, but I think I'm gonna stay with it now. :)

My first travel experience was really great, and I think I've found my niche- traveling. :nurse:

Jnette, yes- I am traveling as a dialysis nurse. So far, my assigments are for hemo, but I may get some opportunities for PD in the future.

I've now worked for 3 companies since I've been in dialysis. Two were chains, and one was an independent. It is amazing how differently things are done from one unit to another. What could get you written up at one unit, is protocol at another!

It had been a really long time since I'd been treated with respect as a nurse, and worked with people who knew the meaning of teamwork.

I was very much respected and appreciated at the unit where I just completed a 13 week assignment. Teamwork was great there, also. The NM asked me to extend my contract for another 13 weeks, with an option to renew after that, but 3 months being two states away from my dh was enough. I hope to go back to the unit next Jan.

Plus, my agency was great. The pay and housing were great, and the agency kept all of their promises.

I start my next assignment in a week and a half. It's in a huge unit- 56 chairs! :chair:

I'm nervous, but my recent experience has given me confidence. Even if the unit sucks, I've worked in sucky units before, and for a lot less money, lol.

After this assignment, I'm done working for the year. I'm going to take the rest of the year off, and take another assignment in Jan- hopefully in AZ again.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Hey Jnette, BarefootLady, and Tweety!

I was very burnt out on nursing for the last couple of years and had been looking for ways to get out of nursing, but I think I'm gonna stay with it now. :)

My first travel experience was really great, and I think I've found my niche- traveling. :nurse:

Jnette, yes- I am traveling as a dialysis nurse. So far, my assigments are for hemo, but I may get some opportunities for PD in the future.

I've now worked for 3 companies since I've been in dialysis. Two were chains, and one was an independent. It is amazing how differently things are done from one unit to another. What could get you written up at one unit, is protocol at another!

It had been a really long time since I'd been treated with respect as a nurse, and worked with people who knew the meaning of teamwork.

I was very much respected and appreciated at the unit where I just completed a 13 week assignment. Teamwork was great there, also. The NM asked me to extend my contract for another 13 weeks, with an option to renew after that, but 3 months being two states away from my dh was enough. I hope to go back to the unit next Jan.

Plus, my agency was great. The pay and housing were great, and the agency kept all of their promises.

I start my next assignment in a week and a half. It's in a huge unit- 56 chairs! :chair:

I'm nervous, but my recent experience has given me confidence. Even if the unit sucks, I've worked in sucky units before, and for a lot less money, lol.

After this assignment, I'm done working for the year. I'm going to take the rest of the year off, and take another assignment in Jan- hopefully in AZ again.

Wow Hellllo... sounds like you've found your niche, indeed ! Good for you ! :balloons:

And taking the rest of the year off... no fair !!! :o

I'm pleased for you, really am. Good to hear you so upbeat again !

Keep in touch.. even when you're "taking the rest of the year off"... :madface:..heh. :D

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Thanks, Jnette!

I will stay in touch, and let you know how my assignment goes. :balloons:

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I live in the Texas Panhandle- there is a surplus of nurses there. It's hard to get a job and pay is low, staffing is poor. I'm told things are better in other parts of Texas.

I completed my first travel assignment, and overall, it was a great experience. I'm off for two weeks, then I start my next travel assignment.

I was paid very well, and my apt/accomidations were very nice and secure. My unit was well staffed, as far as staff to pt ratio. I was treated with respect, and appreciation. I thought I would be lonely, but I made some good friends right away. I went out with co-workers 3-5 times a week. We went to restaurants, movies, and shopped. I received some very nice gifts, cards, and was taken out to eat 3 times my last week. I will miss the unit and staff. I was asked to extend my contract, but had already accepted another assignment, so I couldn't.

There were some politics and negative things that affected the unit, but being a traveler, I was not involved, and the problems did not affect me. I was even excused from all mandatory meetings! Also, regular staff had madatory overtime, and I didn't.

I hope to go back to the same unit next Jan.

I will post some helpful hints later, I'm kinda pooped out right now!

Sounds like a place I would like to work. What agency did you use?

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