Driving and Travel Assignments

suzanne4, RN · Mar 31, 2008

There are actually several agencies that provide cars, or you can do your own three month lease for a car with the others.

On Assignment and Nursing Innovations out of Memphis provide cars for you, but the cost of them is taken out of your contracted rate.

Any perk that you get is not for free, the companies have so much to work with and if you do not take certain things, then there is more money for your paycheck.

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 1, 2008

You may want to rethink the driving - it's one of the great things about being a traveler - seeing the country on your way there! I drove for my last assignment from FL to northern NV in a (well maintained) '99 truck. If you have never traveled that far alone, why not see if a friend or relative would like to drive out with you and then fly back? Road trips can be a real adventure.

Medic15251 · Apr 3, 2008

I agree. I would drive out. Is there something wrong with your car? New cars break down just like older ones. Have your car checked out before you go on the trip. I have driven my 96 vehicle out west and back several times. It has over 150,000 miles on it.

Leasing a car is the most expensive way there is to operate a vehicle. As an alternative you could have your car shipped to your new destination. It is expensive, but probably slightly less expensive than leasing a car.

aberrn · Apr 3, 2008

Agree with the driving part,I just got back from CA [also live in Atlanta ],my 1997 Firebird has 116,000 miles on it and never had a problem.I always have it serviced before a long trip,have my mechanic check hoses and belts etc. I will leave for CA in a couple of weeks and will be driving a 1999 Coachmen camper van I bought in Dec. I will then drive back in Aug for the last time taking about 3 weeks and do it slowly. Love road trips,loads to see and do.

Alisabeth, BSN, MSN, DNP · Apr 3, 2008

I just drove to Santa Barbara, CA from Miami, FL this week. Talk about a long drive! I drove by mself, and I did it over 5 days. Make sure to get your car serviced before you leave, and have a membership to AAA in case of car trouble. :up:

jellybeanmead · Apr 4, 2008

Hey Guys!! Thanks for all of your great info! My car is actually not in bad condition at all. I get it serviced on time. I guess I am just not up for the drive. But, it is something to consider. Well, thanks so much for your help!!! We shall see!!!!

gypsytravelrn · Apr 5, 2008

I've been a travel nurse for 14 years now, and I drove to all my assignments, except when I worked in Alaska. (Nome - no roads lead to Nome just dog sleds:D) It is something you don't want to miss out on. My parents or friends have driven with me on most of my trips. It a lot of fun and a great way to see the country. But, if your driving by yourself a little bit of advice.

Pack your car so that nothing shows above window level, and carry a dark blanket with you. Its to cover everything in your backseat at night. The dark blanket or cover makes it hard to see into your car and helps reduce the chance of breakin.

Always try to get in for the night before dark or at dark. Its safer and stay at a hotel where your room is inside ( you must enter a lobby to get to you). Again its safer then in a motel where the rooms are outside.

I have AAA and would not travel without it. Its great for emergencies like locking your keys in the car :banghead: . LOL. TripTiks are wonderful for getting the best directions. GPS systems are great as well, and the prices for them have come way down.

Last, When I travel by myself I always buy a few audiobooks, they make the time go faster and its like having company in the car with you.

Some of my favorite memories from my travels have been during the road trips. Good Luck and have fun!! :mad:

LadyNASDAQ · Apr 5, 2008

When I went to Calif. back in 2004 for the first time, I shipped my car and I was very happy that I did that because I stayed in Cali for 9 months. It was a very enjoyable contract and I think in retrospect that I should have stayed the full year but I was mistaken as to how long I could be out of State before I would lose residency.

Anyways, ship your car and write off the cost. You will end up with a better contract and a better way of managing everything. The cool part is that you can ship your car and fly in. For the time it takes you to receive your car just renta car. Send your car out ahead by a few days. This will make it easier. I used a car shipping service that worked out great and they called me in the middle to check in with me which I thought was wonderful.

I live in South Fl. so I hear ya about an impossiblility to drive all that way. One thing to do is to get a copy of the driver's law at the DMV because their laws are different and you need to know about ramps on and off the freeway, what a red line means on the street/sidewalk, etc. You don't want to be ticketed out there.

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 6, 2008

When I went to Calif. back in 2004 for the first time, I shipped my car and I was very happy that I did that because I stayed in Cali for 9 months. It was a very enjoyable contract and I think in retrospect that I should have stayed the full year but I was mistaken as to how long I could be out of State before I would lose residency.
Anyways, ship your car and write off the cost. You will end up with a better contract and a better way of managing everything. The cool part is that you can ship your car and fly in. For the time it takes you to receive your car just renta car. Send your car out ahead by a few days. This will make it easier. I used a car shipping service that worked out great and they called me in the middle to check in with me which I thought was wonderful.
I live in South Fl. so I hear ya about an impossiblility to drive all that way. One thing to do is to get a copy of the driver's law at the DMV because their laws are different and you need to know about ramps on and off the freeway, what a red line means on the street/sidewalk, etc. You don't want to be ticketed out there.

Not really impossible to drive all that way - I do it on a regular basis! My longest trip so far has been from central WA State to Key West. This time I just drove from Sarasota, FL to northern central NV.

Might want to check with a tax professional as to how much of this is deductible/reimbursible.

AAA and Triptiks are great, but be sure to carry a comprehensive map atlas with you just in case you do as a friend of mine did and miss the split in two interstates and drive off the triptik! She ended up calling me across the country to pull out my maps, figure out where she was, and how to get back on track without going back 50 miles or so to the missed split.

One caution for lone travelers - I never stop at rest areas after dark. If I need to make a rest stop I get off the interstate at an all night place such as a Denny's or one of the major chain truckstops with restaurant. You want the kind of place that is lit up like midday, lots of people in and out, parking right by the entrance, and preferably (like Denny's) the place where local cops have their meals.

gypsytravelrn · Apr 6, 2008

bagladyrn

I agree with you.That was a nice drive you did. :bow: Its not an impossible drive. I too do the cross country drives. My longest was West Palm Beach FL to Seattle, WA via Pennsylvania. (Dropped off stuff, said hello to family and back on the road 2 days later). My latest drive was Pittsburgh PA to Phoenix AZ in 3 days.

I agree with you about the atlas as well, they come in handy. Good advice about the rest stops as well.

Question for you??? How do you like NV??? I haven't tried that state yet.

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 6, 2008

bagladyrn
I agree with you.That was a nice drive you did. Its not an impossible drive. I too do the cross country drives. My longest was West Palm Beach FL to Seattle, WA via Pennsylvania. (Dropped off stuff, said hello to family and back on the road 2 days later). My latest drive was Pittsburgh PA to Phoenix AZ in 3 days.
I agree with you about the atlas as well, they come in handy. Good advice about the rest stops as well.
Question for you??? How do you like NV??? I haven't tried that state yet.

I really like NV - especially northern NV. I enjoy the desert and mountains quite a bit. I'm in a small (24 bed) rural hospital here having a great assignment. The people in this town and hospital are very traveler friendly! I prefer the small towns when I have a choice, though it's nice to be close enough to Reno (about 2 hours away) to go there easily when I want to do "city stuff".

Regarding the audiobooks - they are great for solo traveling - really make the miles pass. I like renting them at the Cracker Barrel restaurants since you can return them at any of their locations. I have learned though that for me certain authors are off limits when driving at night alone - Stephen King and Anne Rice audiobooks both scared the stuff out of me on dark interstates!