New Travel Nurse

NurseGuy_in_06 · Oct 13, 2004

Good afternoon fellow nurses,
My roomate and I are going to be taking our first travel nursing job in California here within the next week and a half. My roomate is an OR nurse and I have done Med Surg for approx. 1.5 years. She has done OR nursing for 2 years. :)
I haven't been with med surg nursing since Feb because I tried the OR and decided that I missed the energies and people contacts of the floor. My roomate is very good at the OR. I am concerned that I might not "cut it" when I get out there to their med surg unit. I am a hard worker though. I read the personality post about the travel nurse and I am getting a little nervous. I am good with people and am very organized. What if I am not the best med surg nurse???? With this nursing shortage and all, can I still complete this assignment??????? I guess I am looking for people to let me know things about their experiences and give me some encouragement, advice, whatever. I appreciate it!! This BB is great!
Thanks,
Jen

I want to travel after I finish school. Without being too nosey what kind of pay and benefits are you being offered?

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2004

Incognito....A lot depends on where you are going and the people you work with. Sometimes you can get into a situation that is difficult even if YOU are a great nurse, but can just be overwhelmed by the bad staffing or high acquity of the patients. If you are confident in your skills and can get along well with others, you should do fine. You don't have to be the best travel nurse, just a competant one! A good recruiter can be a huge help. Do you know what kind of orientation you will get? As a traveler, I have had as little as 4 hours orientation and as much as 4 days, so it is hospital dependant, ask your recruiter. You will be expected to be independent very quickly. You should not have to ask questions about nursing skills or patient care. You can not be expected to know where the supplies are, the closest all night pharmacy, or how to order a late meal. I have never had anyone be upset that I asked those kinds of questions. Just be honest, and say, "I'm new, but I will find out". It is a little scary at first, as any new experience, but if you go with an open mind and an adventurous heart, you will do just fine!

Mr. Nurse, I don't know of any travel companies who will hire a new grad to travel. You would not be doing a service to yourself or your patients. You really need at least a year of solid experience before you travel. Your orientation is minimal, and you are expected to be up and running almost immediately. Get some experience and then take off!

NurseGuy_in_06 · Oct 13, 2004

I know all of that. I have researched the requirements. I just was curious as to what was REALLY being offered to travelers, not just the hype from their websites.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2004

Some companies offer a little more money and lousy benefits, so it depends on what you are looking for. I think most of the reputable companies are generally in the same ballpark. I am currently in Arizona, making $30/hr. with good benefits, travel and housing allowance (or housing if you choose), and a completion bonus offered by the hospital. You wil make a little more or less depending on your location. The midwest and south have the lowest rates generally. If you give some of the companies a call and talk to recruiters, you can get an idea of rates in the areas you might be interested in.

cathlabtraveler · Oct 15, 2004

right now i'm making a little over $30/hr. guar 40hr/wk. great housing, all utilities paid. some co's only give you a stipend for utilities. i also get a daily car allowance and food allowance. not all co will give you this. so i've just taken assignments with co's that do. everything in the end is negotiable. they either can or can't meet your terms. it's betw you, the co, and the hospital. since i've been traveling i bring home > twice what i brought home while working 40hr/wk day shift. it's nice :). but it's not for everyone.

Town & Country · Oct 16, 2004

Hi,

I had a perm job offered to me but in the meantime since my recruiter was being so snotty I got online and decided to go where the money is.

I had an interview while ago with a facility in CA and they want me to come out. :balloons: Time will tell, though.....

pkapple · Oct 25, 2004

Just an addendum--everyone can take meals, housing etc on their taxes! Travel jobs that is--provided you do not have a permanent residence within 50 miles, but do have a residence. If your company is giving you tax free meal allowance etc and you have no permanent home--be careful, Uncle Sam could nab you for that money!!!

hotdog · Feb 2, 2005

right now i'm making a little over $30/hr. guar 40hr/wk. great housing, all utilities paid. some co's only give you a stipend for utilities. i also get a daily car allowance and food allowance. not all co will give you this. so i've just taken assignments with co's that do. everything in the end is negotiable. they either can or can't meet your terms. it's betw you, the co, and the hospital. since i've been traveling i bring home > twice what i brought home while working 40hr/wk day shift. it's nice :). but it's not for everyone.

Co

Could you recommed a great agency. Sounds like you have found one. thanks so much!