Hell All,I am new to travel nursing and looking at starting in the next month or so. I have 1 year experience at a very busy teaching hospital on a trauma med/surg unit. I know there is a great debate regarding having more than 1 year experience. I have already been talking to an agency and actually had one interview already that I turned down because I didn't think it was a good fit. I do feel confident in my skills and have had the opportunity to see and do a lot of things that nurses who have been working 5 years say they haven't done yet. I currently rent an apartment and trying to coordinate a start date where I can sublet it and have enough time to give my two weeks where I am at. I guess I am trying to get input if people have traveled with around 1 year experience and how did the transition into traveling go! I am excited about the traveling idea but extremely nervous as well. Thanks!!
NedRN 1 Article; 5,751 Posts Jun 30, 2015 Subletting your apartment means it is not longer yours. If appropriate (like a two bedroom apartment), try getting a roommate. That will cut your costs (and have someone to get mail) and maintain a valid tax home to be eligible for tax-free reimbursements from agencies for housing, meals, and travel.Travel does get easier with experience!
kmiller255 12 Posts Specializes in Trauma- Med/Surg. Has 1 years experience. Jun 30, 2015 Thanks Ned! I'm originally from Colorado and have been working in West Virginia so I will not be returning to WV once i start traveling, but I may keep the apartment until I determine if traveling is for me! Thanks!
NedRN 1 Article; 5,751 Posts Jun 30, 2015 As an additional safety net, see if you can take a leave of absence from your staff job. Then if travel is a catastrophic failure (hope not), then you will have an income while you regroup.
DatMurse 792 Posts Specializes in Hematology/Oncology. Has 3 years experience. Jul 1, 2015 As an additional safety net, see if you can take a leave of absence from your staff job. Then if travel is a catastrophic failure (hope not), then you will have an income while you regroup.WV is a horrible paying state. might as well relocate.
NedRN 1 Article; 5,751 Posts Jul 1, 2015 While that is true, I'm thinking of worst case scenarios. For example second week termination, no checks coming in. Relocation takes some planning and interviews. Not good to do while homeless and broke.
kmiller255 12 Posts Specializes in Trauma- Med/Surg. Has 1 years experience. Jul 1, 2015 I have no plans to stay in WV. I originally was going to go back to Colorado but thought I'd give the travel nursing thing a shot!
Vicbot28 21 Posts Specializes in ICU,CVICU. Has 7 years experience. Jul 1, 2015 If you feel like you know your stuff then go for it, travel nursing is awesome! I don't remember feeling that way after one year but hey kudos to you! It is true that most hospitals want two years experience but some are ok with one, just look around. I think Texas is a state that is pretty lax on that. Good luck!Totaltravelers.com
