Currently a Travel Nurse - feel free to ask me anything about it.

funktasticlove · Feb 2, 2022

I am really considering doing Travel. My big question is I have shared child custody with my ex yet we are flexible with each other. Is it realistic to fly back and forth on my weekends to see my kids? maybe 2 out of the 4 weekends

TRVL.RN, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2022

46 minutes ago, funktasticlove said:

I am really considering doing Travel. My big question is I have shared child custody with my ex yet we are flexible with each other. Is it realistic to fly back and forth on my weekends to see my kids? maybe 2 out of the 4 weekends

Its not a guarantee that you'll have 2 weekends off and it all depends how far from home are you planning to travel to.

ambannister · Feb 4, 2022

Hi Ned! I would love your thoughts. I'm starting over, literally, at 52, with my two teens. I need to stay local for at least a year, maybe 2 until my last child launches. Excited for the journey ahead as I graduate this Spring (ADN and concurrently getting my BSN remotely. And have a prior bachelors). In great shape and care for myself, but my solid earning years are finite. Given that fact, I was advised by a nurse to do MS or Tele for at least one year, then per diem somewhere while also traveling as he's doing really well and felt it would be a good direction for me too. Would reallly appreciate your thoughts and advice if my goal includes that priority need for money, but ultimately I would also like to be able to see my kids now and then, wherever they land. Planning for myself on the back end of the journey, but also would love to be able to help my kids get started by helping as I can with costs such as college. I'm excited and up for the challenge, but needing more info or advice to get a better idea of what direction to go. Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate your time. ?

NedRN · Feb 5, 2022

Not quite sure what your question is. Specialty choice perhaps? Used to be common knowledge that you first had to do at least a year of floor nursing before transferring to other branches of nursing. This dates from pin on caps (have one my grandmother wore during WW1) and uniform skirts. Forget that! If a specialty appeals to you, try going directly into a teaching hospital internship after graduating. That is generally easier these days than switching specialties later. And saves time if your goal is traveling in your preferred specialty.

One thing to consider in choosing a specialty that may not come to mind immediately are working nights (bad for your health research says), and taking call. I'm OR and never minded call, but the one time I tried nights - very rare for OR assignments - I almost died (figuratively). Fortunately for me, they needed me on days after just three weeks of total misery, my biorhythms just couldn't handle it. If you don't want to work nights, specialty choices are much more limited - I'd say a majority of travelers have to do night shifts, sometimes even rotating shifts.

I've met travelers who also do per agency per diem while on contract but unless you want to collect every penny and not enjoy new locations, it seems silly. If you are chasing money (and pandemic bill rates may be gone by the time you have qualified in a specialty), doing rapid response (often called crisis assignments) where you can work unlimited hours with overtime seems a lot better than working a side job for straight pay. I certainly would suggest that after gaining enough staff experience, you also need to gain travel experience before you go for the difficult rapid response assignments.

Problems with travel (besides aptitude) are mostly benefits. Travel companies almost universally have bad insurance. Good insurance comes with sticker shocks for most employees who don't know the underlying costs of employer provided insurance. But yes, travel is good for cash pay in lieu of benefits for those saving for kid's college or a new house can accumulate cash faster in the short run than a staff nurse.

TRVL.RN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2022

On 9/15/2021 at 2:14 PM, Samian Q said:

Okay, I've got a new one for you: On your first day, whether it be at orientation or your first day on the floor, are you supposed to bring something for the staff? Like a box of donuts or cookies?

I personally have never.