Hard Decision

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey Everyone, I’ve been a nurse for about a year and six months working in the intensive care unit . I’ve decided in the new year to begin travel nursing, I put in my resignation about a week ago , and the offer I’ve been given has made me have second thoughts. My main reason for traveling is most definitely the money, as well as the opportunity to see new places. My base rate is in the 20-25/hour range. I work in a small hospital so the overall patient acuity is low .

After my resignation, I was given an offer that would raise my hourly pay up significantly, turning weekly pay to about $2700 take home. There are some stipulations as my benefits will be removed, but the offer is amazing. This offer is given in 12-week increments, and can be terminated once the contract ends. They call it an internal agency. 

I need an outside opinion. Would you take this offer given by my hospital or follow the plan and become a travel nurse?

JadedCPN, BSN, RN

1,476 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

So you’d be agency working the same hospital you’re at now? With only 1.5 years experience I would probably take that offer because truthfully if you’re trying to travel as an ICU nurse, with that limited experience and with lower acuity as you said I think you might need a little bit more time and this seems like a good way to get some more experience under your belt in the meantime!

Guest 1152923

301 Posts

     This is a common question that arises every few weeks.  As a former traveler, I strongly advise you against accepting a travel assignment with your limited experience.  Not to say you’re not a competent nurses, but you simply don’t know what you don’t know.  I’m not making a blanket statement that it can’t be (and probably) isn’t done, but do you want to really put your license and your patient’ safety on the line.  Keep in mind that you will likely have little orientation, resources and support at many facilities.  Think long and hard

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I have to agree with previous posters.  With 1.5 years of ICU experience, you don't know what you don't know.  You're certainly not qualified to work in a high acuity ICU, although step-down would be a possibility.  Take the offer and stay at your present hospital awhile longer, gain more experience.

First of all, you need to do the math. What will your actual salary be.. after you buy your own benefits? What are the benefits with the travel agency, what would you need to buy?

Travel nursing is a challenge. I went into it with 25 years of experience... it took all I had. Can you imagine yourself going into a new unit, and functioning at top speed in 3 days? 

Good luck with your decision.

JKL33

6,777 Posts

Agree that especially if you've only worked low acuity you should not try to bill yourself as a travel ICU nurse.

So then onto the second part...

16 hours ago, SouthSectional said:

After my resignation I was given an offer that would raise my hourly pay up significantly , turning weekly pay to about $2700 take home. There are some stipulations as my benefits will be removed , but the offer is amazing

Does the money mathematically make up for each and every stipulation, e.g. health insurance benefit (what it will cost you to provide your own)? PTO? 

What will be your status with the company at the end of your contract? Will you be eligible to resume your current position in the event that they aren't offering the contracts anymore?

 

allnurses Guide

hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I

4 Articles; 5,049 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I concur about the experience but can you affprd to be without benefits? Especially in the era of Covid. If you have to purchase your own health insurance it will significantly cut into your base pay. Will they rehire you full time and get your benefits back?

Hppy

 

Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

If you won't have health insurance then I would no way agree to that, any money you make will just go towards health insurance, unless you are going without...which I would not suggest! 

I would just stay at my current position and do OT for extra money. Then when you have more experience, go for travel.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Former traveler here. What they said!!

Let me just add that as a traveler you’re almost guaranteed to get THE worst of the worst patients on the unit. Either stay where you are, or apply for a fulltime position at a facility where there is higher acuity so that you will get what you need in exposure and experience to hold your own as is what’s expected in a traveler. Based on your own assessment of your current job, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. 

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Don't do it (travel). You are not ready as others said.

Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nursing.

Gain more experience in your hospital like 2-3 years more and then decide. 

Another consideration is that travel assignments are more likely to have dangerous ratios these days than in the past. Staffing is so screwed up right now that pretty much all units in all hospitals are short-staffed, which is especially true in ICUs. You may get lucky and land in an ICU that only gives you 1-2 intubated/drip/crrt patients, but you could be very unlucky and land in one that gives you 3-4 intubated/drip/crrt patients at a time (true story...) There's no way to know until you've already agreed to take the assignment.

On top of that, you'll be dealing with unfamiliar coworkers who are cranky that their staffing is so screwed up, and trying to McGyver around all of the critical supply shortages going on right now. Traveling can be tricky under the best of circumstances, but it seems a bit rough out there right now.

All that to say, it can be done, but it might not be very pleasant.

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