Hopeful "Travel Nurse" mom

[dayshiftnurse]

Hi, I am a Cdn nurse (passed NCLEX), and was wanting to get a better sense of how to get started in travel nursing.  What agencies are best, most reliable, and also well paid.  If I go, I will be travelling with 2 children and so need more of a permanent situation as opposed to just 6-13 week contracts.  I can only really consider the state of Florida because I would need family back-up and that is the only state I have family.

Also I have 2 specialties - ICU and dialysis - I have heard ICU nsg is very well paid, but wondering if the hours may be too grueling with 2 children to work around.  I have seen some dialysis contracts that have better hours but the pay is not as high.  Trying to find the best work-life balance to travel and keep children safe and looked after.  Was wondering for any other "mothers" who have travelled this way, have you had to look for a sitter/nanny ahead of time and if so was it hard to find people.  Also wondering if the agency offers accommodation can you get more of a typical apartment as opposed to a hotel room...can you possibly pay a little more towards the accomodation bonus to get a more family-friendly place to live....a motel with 2 beds wouldn't work well for us.

Any suggestions offered would be very, very, appreciated.  If we go into lockdown again, I will likely make the decision to travel, partly so my kids can still stay in school  and so I'm just trying plan ahead as much as possible. 

[nightshiftmomma]

YES, with stipends you should be able to afford to rent somewhere more roomy than a hotel. My coworker travelled as a single dad with his two kids. He would call the facility and ask if any nursing students or CNAs want to make extra money, and hire them to watch his kids while he was working. Hope this helps!

[Kb_214]

I travel with my 3 kids and our 2 dogs! I found a nice travel trailer from a guy in Houston,Tx picked it up, loaded us in it and found lakes near where I’d be working! my oldest is 14 youngest 6 and there are childcare facilities that will help you find someone licensed and trustworthy to help.