Help! Should I take this assignment if I get an interview/offer?

[ctnurse420]

I have been talking with several companies about starting my first travel assignment... I have been a nurse for 18 months, working in a level I trauma facility 900+ bed teaching hospital, in oncology.

I've wanted to travel since I started nursing school... and now finally feel comfortable with my 1+ year.

Please give me any tips or advice about the following offer:

palm springs, ca - snowbird destination - will there be any young people there??? I am 25...

It's only two hours away from LA/Huntington Beach and San diego, all of which I have friends in... and 4 hours to vegas!

45-65 travelers at the facility this winter

level 2 trauma, 400 beds, non teaching

max ratio 5:1

weather low 70s in winter (beats new england!) warm weather is one of my highest priorities

bariatric chemo med surg unit (i am chemo certified)

days $28 hr

night $31.31/hr

every other weekend

paid biweekly

$1200/mo housing allowance tax free

$300 travel reimbursement @ beginning and end

managed fee - paid by hospital -- the weird thing about this assignment is that you actually become a hospital employee and are not paid by the travel company- in effect... the travel company doesn't provide me health insurance... but they said i can get cobra- and extension of my current job's insurance? help i need advice!

[79Tango]

That sounds like a sweet little deal, yeah it will be old people but so what... I can think of worse places to spend the winter--seriously! You just need to find out how much the housing costs.. Can you find something for $1200/month? If not, than it might not such a sweet deal.

Health Insurance????? Say what? You are not going to find alot of Health Insurance as a traveler.. Cobra is typically expensive so you might try finding your own private policy. Yes there are travel companies that offer Health Insurance but it WILL COST, nothing is free. Maybe you can hit back for some more $$?

The travel reimbursement sounds nice but $28/HR + $1200/month= $35.50/HR

Honestly if youve never traveled before and they are offering you this job--GO FOR IT.. Vegas baby Vegas! Also maybe you can hang around long enough for Coachella.. Let us know how it works out.

[wanderlust99]

No health insurance? I was quoted 300-400/month for cobra. That's the only downside I'm seeing for the assignment. 1200 is low, but maybe it's the area I'm not so familiar with palm springs. Good thing is a lot of travelers so will make friends easily.