checklist for travelers

[emetcal1]

Hey all!

I am looking into first time traveling and have a few questions. What's the difference with getting a temporary or permanent license. I was applying for California, and didn't even see an option to pay for a permanent license, so I just checked temporary on the application and figured I could figure out a permanent license if I want to stay there past 6 months. Also, are traveling agencies pretty straight forward about what they cover for traveling. I heard they given stipens, but is it the same amount for every traveling nurse? I am applying with Intelistaf because I have talked to several nurses that work at my hospital who have absolutely loved working for them, however I don't work with them anymore to ask them all these questions. Also, anyone have a favorite California city/hospital they worked for. Thanks nurses! :)

Erin

[meandragonbrett]

A temp CA license is one that is issued a few days after your fingerprint results are done. It's an extra fee. Otherwise it can take several months to get a license issued in CA. 3-4 months is typical waiting time and possibly even longer.

Sign up with more than one agency. Different agencies have different jobs.

Money is an entire other issue.

They will pay for your housing OR provide you a housing stipend to set up your own.

Some companies provide a daily per diem for meals and incidentals others give you a higher hourly wage.

Some companies provide no per diem money.

You need a tax home to qualify for the money to be non-taxable otherwise you will have a nice federal tax surprise at the end of the year when filing your taxes.

How long have you been a nurse?

We can help guide but you will need to ask more questions.

Travel nursing is like buying a used car. The hospitals are the used cars and the recruiters are the sales people. Their job is to make every assignment sound fantastic and amazing. I assure you every facility is not amazing as they make it sound nor are they doing anything special for you money wise, housing, or location wise.

Traveling is very much like running your own business. You have to be business minded and hard-nosed when it comes time to negotiate. It's easy to be suckered into an assignment that you really aren't interested in.

[emetcal1]

Thanks for the feedback! I have been a nurse for 3 1/2 years. I am not too picky about exactly where I go, so I will probably stick to the one company to see how everything plays out and seek other companies if I am looking for a specific location/benefits or if I am poorly treated. One other question I have. When I request a fingerprint card, I don't have to pay anything then. I didn't get any verification that it is processing so I am just patiently waiting at my mailbox every day. I got the impression payments are made once fingerprints are completed and applications are sent with everything done. I am just making sure I am not waiting around for nothing. Thanks!

[RNPB10]

If there is anyway you could fly out to Cali to do the live scan and turn in your application directly to the board I would suggest doing it that way. I flew out to California on 4/17 and turned in all of my documentation and was issued a permanent license on 4/19. People kept telling me the process was long but two days is the quickest I've ever gotten a license.