Hints before traveling?

suzanne4, RN · Dec 1, 2004

Sounds like you are all set, but make sure that your hours are guaranteed for the week..........so even if they were to cancel one of your shifts you would still get paid for it. Soem of the travel companies acually have very good insurance and for quite cheap compared to many other places. But sounds like you are all set..............

Have fun..................

PMHNP10 · Dec 1, 2004

oops

PMHNP10 · Dec 1, 2004

I am checking into travel nursing, which I've never done before.
If I get an assignment where I want, I will be staying w/ relatives, and will have my own car. The two agencies I'm working with have assured me that I will get a housing and travel stipend since I won't need these services. I also have my dh's health ins and short term disability ins.
What other things do I need to worry about?
I have never even spoken to a traveler, and I don't know the first thing about it.
Any info would be appreciated. :)

If your company promises anything on the phone, if it is important enough, don't do anything until you get it in writing, including floating to other floors, number of hours of shift; OT pay; number of pts you will care for in a shift. Also, if you get direct deposit, I recommend setting up a checking account specifically for depositing check from your job (credit for that one goes to renerian). The last thing which comes to mind is if they offer a completion bonus, get it prorated into your hourly wage instead so you don't lose out on it completely if you are unable to complete your assignment for whatever reason.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2004

Check out this forum:

http://www.delphiforums.com

Some clubs on traveling nursing. You can gain all kinds of insight by evaluating previously posting information. Contracting is a huge issue so you are not taken advantage of.

renerian

mattsmom81 · Dec 1, 2004

Good luck Helllooo and let us know how you like it. I may do this in the future myself so I've been perusing the Delphi site...lots of good insight there. :)

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2004

I bank at a local credit union, so I guess I'd better get an account at a national bank?

I also get my scripts filled at a local Rx. Should I have my scripts transfered to a Walgreen's, or other national Rx chain?

Agencies usually pay for the housing up front, right? (I may be going to an area where I don't have a place to stay and will need the housing). They say the housing allowance is up to $1000,/mo. but, staying at a hotel costs more than that- they say I will probably be staying at a hotel, not an apt.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2004

I kept our local bank and still use direct deposit. I usually pay with debit cards and if I need cash, I can either use an ATM and pay a small fee or use the debit and get cash back without the fee at other stores.

We do use Walgreens, but you can transfer them anytime just by taking the bottles to them when you need it.

I have never heard of a travel company expecting you to stay in a hotel and pay out of pocket for the entire assignment. I know of someone whose company messed up and that is happening, but it was not planned and supposedly they are getting him an apartment. Some of the extended stay hotels, Crosslands, Extended Stay America are remarkable inexpensive and very nice. I stayed at Crosslands in Tucson for 3 months until my husband arrived and we rented a house. It was $180/week and included a kitchen, utinsils, cable TV, internet connection, of course utilities and maid service!

When I have taken company housing, it was ready for me several days before my assignment started and I had a few days afterward to move out. The housing stipend however was in my first check, so you have to have a little up front money if you go that way.

As far as the completion bonus being rolled into the hourly rate....not sure about that. The ones I have seen call it a completion bonus because they pay at completion of the assignment. If you call in a lot or don't complete the assignment, you don't get it. Makes sense to me!

PMHNP10 · Dec 9, 2004

As far as the completion bonus being rolled into the hourly rate....not sure about that. The ones I have seen call it a completion bonus because they pay at completion of the assignment. If you call in a lot or don't complete the assignment, you don't get it. Makes sense to me!

You can do it; perhaps not all of it, but some of it for sure. The contracts you sign are not set in stone until after you've signed it. There are many ways to tweak a contract with more tax free and less hourly and completion, or more completion and less of the others, or less completion, etc, etc. Keep in mind that if a company is unwilling to work for your needs, they obviously don't want to work with you at all. There are 100 other companies that would love to work with you. I understand what you are saying about not finishing, but let's say you have an emergency in your family or with yourself and are just unable to finish, it certainly wouldn't be fair to lose all of you completion bonus. And it's up to you to make sure you don't have to lose it.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2004

I spoke to my recruiter today, and will be getting an apt, instead of a hotel.

I am nervous, but excited about traveling. I had been thinking about it for years.

Cqc_Cqb · Dec 11, 2004

Make sure your apartment has a washer and dryer in the apt. Trust me it is a pain in the butt to have to go out to wash when it is raining and cold. I am doing it now and hate it. I am new to traveling also and thought that a washer and dryer was a standard, but it isnt.

Town & Country · Dec 15, 2004

Oh, goodness, yes, you gotta have a washer/dryer!!!

The hospital where I am told me I "wouldn't need to bring scrubs" because they want the travellers to blend in with the staff by wearing the hospital-issued scrubs and they would "give" me a pair or two.

I still haven't received them. If I hadn't brought a scrub top and a couple bottoms I don't know what I would've done.

If they are waiting for me to buy them they can wait on. None of the other agency/contract people wear their scrubs.