first assignment

I have been researching travel nursing off and on for 7 years waiting for my youngest child to finish high school...time is finally here. Just looking for some feedback. I chose 5 companies and am presently so overwhelmed by all the paper work that needs to be filled out on line, faxed and mailed, gathering all my medical records that are required for vaccines and the such, having I-9s notarized and mailed, tests, and the endless experience check sheets, gathering reference letters... I'm starting to get confused on what I sent who, I thought I was keeping good records.

I turned in my PRN status notice at my staff position here in NC, I had one full time job and work prn at two other hospitals in the area. now I'll have three PRN jobs that really don't require any certain amount of days worked to keep this status.

I purchased my own medical insurance just today. Had a agent actually come to my house, he's a local.

I got three names of accountants in town that I plan on hiring one of them next week, I don't understand all the tax write off stuff...gonna need help.

Anyway my plan is to go to Rhode Island for my very first assignment or Ct. because I have family there and would feel comfortable and wouldn't have to get housing. Two agencys tell me that it's a very good chance of finding something when I'm ready in mid October after my four week notice at present hospital. I have a compact license and in the process of applying for a CT one. I also have a Florida one with family living there also. One company tried to talk me into staying in NC but like 4 hrs from home. The hard part is I nly want a 8 week this time around to be home for Christmas, it will be my first holiday in the mountains of NC, just moved here a few months ago. Am I being too pushy by requesting just one certain area for my very first assignment?

What I really want feed back on is this...My main reason for wanting to travel nurse is so I can do a 8 to 13 week contract and then stay home for a few weeks in between some contracts, I work when I want to and can make enough money to afford these weeks off. Does this sound doable. I have some travelers tell me they take the whole summer off. Once I get the hang of this I want to travel with my husband to different states in a RV but still coming back home for extended periods of time and work my PRN jobs part time while I'm home.

Can someone please tell me if I'm being realistic, can this be done? I feel like I'm just living in a dream world cause the thought of this gets me so excited. By the way, I love change and hate hospital politics. I adapt easy, specialty is ER but was a float for two years not that long ago in a 851 bed trauma II hospital, would do everything but Peds, ICU, OR and L&D. Thanks. Corrine