Paperwork and housing = pain in the butt

[Tooimpatient]

I start my first travel assignment in a few weeks and I just have to vent a little.....maybe its the agency I chose, or maybe they are all this way...but first of all, once I signed the contract I received a list the size of Texas for paperwork to print, sign, fax back, all this documentation they need, drug screen, physical, multiple titers, TB skin test proof, w-4, voided check, tests to take, etc etc etc....I literally woke up one morning to this email and I wanted to throw my phone.

I realize with nursing comes responsibilities and nobody holds your hand, you are the one required to do all this stuff with no help but geez....

Anyways I'm finally almost done with the list, but seriously it's been a pain trying to get ahold of all these records they need and stuff. Had I known I would have to do all that I almost would have backed out I think....

On top of that, I purchased a home back in November, I have 5 dogs and 3 cats (lol....so I love animals) so I was stressed about leaving my home behind, finding someone to watch the animals (I will be bringing two dogs with me) which leaves me with my final gripe of the day...

HOUSING! It's extremely hard to find animal friendly places to stay. If you do find one, the rates are outrageous. I'm already taking a low hourly rate because I will be in Florida and well, they just don't pay that great there. Mostly going for the location/experience....so all that housing stipend that you "pocket"....nah, it's all going to rent in my case. So all in all, if I can't manage to find cheaper housing I am actually making LESS than I do at my staff job where I live....which I've already turned in my notice for because I was so dead set on traveling and excited about the opportunity.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced these doubts/worries and did it turn out ok for you? I mean as long as I break even I will be ok, I'm a nurse with 2 years experience in Med-Surg and I just want to try something new, be at the beach, just wanted to give it a shot. I'm pretty optimistic (believe it or not, judging by this post haha) and it takes alot to get me down so I'm sure I will adjust. It's just been the intial shock of it all.

So there, I wanted to vent. Feel free to share your experiences/advice! :)

[kmiller255]

I too am looking at travel nursing. I just had my first interview and turned it down because it didn't seem like a good fit. I started out extremely excited about traveling and did my research now trying to juggle subletting my current apartment and putting in my two weeks it's getting nuts and I am having doubts. I also have a dog and my travel agency said finding pet friendly is usually no big deal. I think after you get your first assignment it gets easier, but being new to traveling it seems pretty daunting!

[Dinsey]

Once you have all of your documents gathered (and PDF versions stored on your laptop/in the cloud) it gets easier with each assignment. When I change companies I will already have just about everything they need and simply email it to them.

It is a lot of work, but so is moving to a new town to start a permanent staff job. Travel is all of that work every 13 or so weeks. But that's what it is, and you have to decide if that work is worth the benefits.

Housing is one of the hardest parts. I am traveling with pets as well. In the SF Bay Area I actually paid $50 out of pocket on top of my stipend for housing because I wanted my own place and the pets. You won't always pocket tons of extra cash on housing. On the other hand, I pocketed $400 per month in Southern California, but I got really lucky on housing.

The allure and promise of big bucks is not what interested me in travel nursing and I would have been gravely disappointed in the reality if I had gotten into it for the money. I don't work ICU/OR/L&D so I'm not going to get those lucrative contracts.

It's scary to let go of stability and take on this lifestyle. It's definitely not for everyone. I've met many travel nurses who do one or two assignments and then decide to go home.

Right now, it works well for me and I am enjoying it. Only you can know if it is right for you, and if the effort is worth it.