Many questions for you travel RNs!

PMHNP10 · Jul 31, 2005

So anyways. Is the pay really that much better than if I were to stay here?

It depends on what agency you travel with, where you go, and how you negotiate your contract. I came out to CA as a psych travel RN and was going to make a 6 figure salary, but what made it better was that like 30% of that was tax free. Believe me, it makes a HUGE difference.

Do you have to travel alone? I'd imagine that'd be really lonely, but at the same time...I'm not fond of sharing an apartment with someone I don't know at all.

I came here with my now fiance and can say I probably woulda gone nutsier than I already am if I had come alone; but I'm not a club/bar kinda guy. Being in your early 20s and single and I'm gonna assume female. You could have a blast if you go to the right place. Also keep in mind that making that kind of money and having nothing tie you down means you'll be able to save boatloads of money. Good luck to ya.

mandrews · Jul 31, 2005

Most travel agencys want atleast two years experience. My mom travels and she has been to hospitals that would contact the agency and tell them to take their nurse back and don't send her back because she doesn't have enough experience. The agency will drop you like a hot potato.

When she is confronted with new equipment or procedures she always grabs somebody and says hey I've never seen this before but I want to learn right now. Nobody has ever refused and she has picked up alot of new skills to add to her 20year experience.

melissa

PMHNP10 · Jul 31, 2005

Most travel agencys want atleast two years experience. My mom travels and she has been to hospitals that would contact the agency and tell them to take their nurse back and don't send her back because she doesn't have enough experience. The agency will drop you like a hot potato.

that's interesting, I've never heard that and luckily it didn't happen to me. I've always heard that 1 yr is the minimum. Fortunately it's a moot point for the OP since she'll be completing a 2 yr contract.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 31, 2005

The minimum requirement for reputable agencies is one year of hospital experience, though, the hospital can actually require more. Many NICU units actually want 3 to 5 years, especially for the bigger Level III nurseries. It is becoming quite common to see 5 years required for specialty areas.

mandrews · Aug 1, 2005

the hospital can actually require more. Many NICU units actually want 3 to 5 years, especially for the bigger Level III nurseries. It is becoming quite common to see 5 years required for specialty areas.

Thank you for clarifying what I was trying to say. My mother works L&D, ICU, and NICU. It has been her experience that she needed 2-5 years experience.

melissa

suzanne4, RN · Aug 1, 2005

:wink2: :wink2: :wink2:

vegnurse21 · Aug 3, 2005

Thanks everyone for your replies! They were so helpful!

The 2 years experience won't be a problem because I have a contract with the hospital that I go to nursing school at to work there for 2 years after I graduate next July. I don't really want to work in a level 3 NICU, I'd much prefer one that is a lower level...I guess I'll just have to search around for that.

psychRN - Six figures? Holy crap. My dream was to travel to NYC and do an assignment there...heck...I might even just forego the whole travel thing and just do a year or so there as a regular RN. I know that'd bring in a lot, but at the same time...the cost of living there is insane.

suzanne4, RN · Aug 3, 2005

Yes, you always have to take into account what the cost of living is in a city. If the salary is that much higher, than everything else is also much higher, especially food in restaurants, etc.