If you decide to start travel nursing after a year of working at home...

loricatus · Oct 1, 2008

You are under a misconception that you will make loads of money as a traveler. There are a lot of hidden costs to travel nursing that you are not considering.

Yes, you have to do your year (minimum) before you travel; but, it is becoming more common to see places wanting a minimum of 2 years now. Also, you better be proficient and know your stuff inside out or you will find yourself cancelled within a week and probably owing the travel agency some money. It would be best that after your year you start doing agency (local) work to supplement your current job. This would not only be the best way to make money; but, it will give you the necessary skills to be able to do travel nursing successfully.

The only way you could go back as staff after a 13 week contract would be to discuss things with your mananger about taking an unpaid leave of absence; otherwise, if you wanted to go back you would have to reapply for the job through human resources. Since the pay scale is based upon years of experience, you probably would make the same amount if you returned. That is, if you didn't take a sign on bonus and left before you completed your agreed to term. If you do that, forget about going back & also, if you are in the DFW area, expect to be blackballed in all other jobs by being reported to Group One!

xstalkrx · Oct 1, 2008

You are under a misconception that you will make loads of money as a traveler. There are a lot of hidden costs to travel nursing that you are not considering.
Yes, you have to do your year (minimum) before you travel; but, it is becoming more common to see places wanting a minimum of 2 years now. Also, you better be proficient and know your stuff inside out or you will find yourself cancelled within a week and probably owing the travel agency some money. It would be best that after your year you start doing agency (local) work to supplement your current job. This would not only be the best way to make money; but, it will give you the necessary skills to be able to do travel nursing successfully.
The only way you could go back as staff after a 13 week contract would be to discuss things with your mananger about taking an unpaid leave of absence; otherwise, if you wanted to go back you would have to reapply for the job through human resources. Since the pay scale is based upon years of experience, you probably would make the same amount if you returned. That is, if you didn't take a sign on bonus and left before you completed your agreed to term. If you do that, forget about going back & also, if you are in the DFW area, expect to be blackballed in all other jobs by being reported to Group One!

what is blackballed...what is group one...what are the hidden costs of travel nursing...what is "agency" ?

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 1, 2008

You are not going to make "loads more money" as a traveler. I've been one for 12 years now and while I make a decent living, a former coworker who had roughly the same time in at the previous permanent job stayed there is making more per year than I do (federal job with regular increases). You have to remember to factor in the cost of travel (no the travel stipend doesn't cover it all), time off between assignments (at least a week each time) as you can't finish a contract in one place on Sunday and start one in a new location on Monday. You don't get paid sick days (in fact you may owe your company for housing costs for any shift you miss). You don't (generally) get paid vacation. You don't get paid training days for seminars.

As for the job back home - remember that they are not going to just let that position just sit waiting for you to come back. You will be taking the chance that someone else may have come in and filled the position.

From this and the other post you wrote, it seems you may have been given some misperceptions about the pay you would make as a new RN. Why don't you post a new question giving the general area you are in and ask others what the pay range is for that area. That may help you decide whether what is being offered to you is realistic.

loricatus · Oct 1, 2008

what is blackballed...what is group one...what are the hidden costs of travel nursing...what is "agency" ?

Where are you? If not in the DFW area then the blackballed and group one is doesn't apply to you.

For the rest of your questions, I think you would only be able to understand the explanation if you have some nursing under your belt first.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Oct 1, 2008

I travel and go back to my "old" job frequently. This occurs when you are in a situation where they need help and you have proven to be an outstanding team member in the past. Also helps if you are in a high demand area such as ICU or ER.

I would not count on this though.

xstalkrx · Oct 1, 2008

Where are you? If not in the DFW area then the blackballed and group one is doesn't apply to you.
For the rest of your questions, I think you would only be able to understand the explanation if you have some nursing under your belt first.

I AM in the DFW area. Please explain all of these things to me.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Oct 1, 2008

If you read the travel nursing forum and the texas forum most, if not all these things will be explained to you.

You need to do your homework. All the tools are available at this website. Also check the agency nurse forum

loricatus · Oct 1, 2008

I AM in the DFW area. Please explain all of these things to me.

Refer to gonzo's post. To much to explain, especially since you are unfamiliar with a lot of things related to nursing, in general.

BTW, are you even in nursing school, yet? Or, are you looking at it as a potential career? I ask, because I noticed a post you made inquiring on getting your nursing degree through the military; yet, in this post you imply that you are near completion of your nursing degree.

Also, curious about (and you don't have to answer this), what is it about nursing that appeals to you, other than the money?

xstalkrx · Oct 1, 2008

I shouldnt have used the word "near". I have started the degree plan but I'm not really near completion.

I am interested in being a paramedic/firefighter and enjoy emergency medicine. However, nursing is a more solid career path.

loricatus · Oct 1, 2008

I shouldnt have used the word "near". I have started the degree plan but I'm not really near completion.
I am interested in being a paramedic/firefighter and enjoy emergency medicine. However, nursing is a more solid career path.

Than do you mind me making a suggestion? If you really want to get a taste for things, work alongside first responders (to a degree) and have the opportunity to see if emergency nursing is something that is a good fit for you (as well as pick the brains of emergency nurses), try for a part time position as a CNA at a DFW area ER. Parkland would be your best choice. You will learn a lot there and make some good contacts.

sunray12 · Oct 3, 2008

You are not going to make "loads more money" as a traveler. I've been one for 12 years now and while I make a decent living, a former coworker who had roughly the same time in at the previous permanent job stayed there is making more per year than I do (federal job with regular increases). You have to remember to factor in the cost of travel (no the travel stipend doesn't cover it all), time off between assignments (at least a week each time) as you can't finish a contract in one place on Sunday and start one in a new location on Monday. You don't get paid sick days (in fact you may owe your company for housing costs for any shift you miss). You don't (generally) get paid vacation. You don't get paid training days for seminars.
As for the job back home - remember that they are not going to just let that position just sit waiting for you to come back. You will be taking the chance that someone else may have come in and filled the position.
From this and the other post you wrote, it seems you may have been given some misperceptions about the pay you would make as a new RN. Why don't you post a new question giving the general area you are in and ask others what the pay range is for that area. That may help you decide whether what is being offered to you is realistic.

I'm not a nursing student yet but this isn't what the agency ads I've been seeing are saying. I don't have names off the top of my head but they can be found recruiting on most nursing job boards. The example that comes to the top of my head is a 26 week assignment that pays twice the annual salary at a local teaching hospital. I've seen ads offering wages three times higher - granted that is probably max earnings that would involve putting in a lot of hours but I'm sure people with specific financial goals pull it off. As far as I understand it - they do offer benefits and housing. If you're local you get the housing allowance. So I take that to mean you can either work 26 weeks and then take a break or keep rolling to the next assignment. If you work within the same state or region I don't see why much time would be lost in between assignments unless you choose to take a break or your agency is low on work. So while I would definitely want to put an appropriate amount of time in a hospital I can see how the travel option would be attractive at least for a while.

Fed salaries, especially in later years have tended to run higher so your friend's wages sound about right. If you put in the years in just about any professional field with the feds you will be at 6 figures or close to it. As I understand it a nurse traveler is basically a contractor/consultant. I've been a contractor (non-health care) so I understand the direct payroll vs contractor debate. Do you look for "tenure" and good benefits or - do you go for the highest wage with the understanding that you will have to be more independent? It just depends on your goals and what you want. Some people do a little of both.