Permanent position vs traveling?

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Specializes in Med/tele, Ortho/surgical, transplant.

Hi guys. I have a little dilemma that I was hoping to get advice on. I am an RN with 16 months experience. I was thinking about doing travel nursing in December, which would give me 1 1/2 years of experience. While I was waiting to get my California license, I applied for my Hawaii license as well as a permanent position in Hawaii. Before my CA license was issued to me, I accepted the position in HI which has a start date of 12/21. 2 weeks later, my CA license arrived. I am now rethinking taking this permanent position because my heart has always been set on traveling. The HI position pays 43.64 with a 3.50 differential for nights. It is a rotating shift. Two 12's and two 8's for 40 hrs per week. They are offering a $5000 relocation bonus which I get in my first paycheck. I can keep it all if I stay for 18 months. I already know I don't wan't to stay for 18 months so I would pay it back at a prorated rate.

My issue that I've been having with traveling to CA is that all the recruiters I talk to state that CA looks for nurses with 2+ years experience which I won't have until July 2016. Besides that, the rates that I have been getting offered are kind of low. For example :

Shift (times and any special conditions): 36 hours 07:00-19:00

Insurance:

Full medical, dental, and vision benefits for Self

Licensure Reimbursement:

California - $149.00

Housing provided by Aya

Meals per diem per shift: $160.00

Average taxable hourly rate: $23.33

Total gross weekly pay for 36 hours $1,319.87

Shift (times and any special conditions): 36 hours 07:00-19:00

Insurance:

Full medical, dental, and vision benefits for Self

Housing provided by Aya

Meals per diem per shift: $90.00

Average taxable hourly rate: $23.33

Total gross weekly pay for 36 hours $1,109.87

So, what do you guys think would be the best thing to do right now? Take the position in Hawaii for at least 8 months, or try to find a travel assignment? The last day at my current job is 11/24, my lease ends 11/30. If I go to HI, I will be leaving 12/9. I am trying to save up for an FNP program so I want to take which ever position will be most lucrative. Please let me know what you guys think. Thank you!!

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

Personally I would go to Hawaii and enjoy it for 18 months all the while building experience. I did the same in Vail thinking I would only be there for a year and then move on to traveling. I ended up getting stuck there for over 4 years. I am now on the road traveling but the experience and time spent there was great. The CA license and travel jobs will still be there in 18 months.

Maybe you can get some ICU or other specialty experience while your there too and make even more money while traveling....

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Specializes in Med/tele, Ortho/surgical, transplant.
Personally I would go to Hawaii and enjoy it for 18 months all the while building experience. I did the same in Vail thinking I would only be there for a year and then move on to traveling. I ended up getting stuck there for over 4 years. I am now on the road traveling but the experience and time spent there was great. The CA license and travel jobs will still be there in 18 months.

Maybe you can get some ICU or other specialty experience while your there too and make even more money while traveling....

I was thinking the same thing. I know it would be a great opportunity for me to gain experience. It's just the thought of relocating to HI is kinda making me nervous. But I know I could get tons of experience. Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it!

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Relocating to HI shouldn't make you nervous if you want to travel!--I know it's a commitment but moving every three months is more stressful, I would think. A lot of people would kill for that Hawaii experience, so take advantage.

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Specializes in Med/tele, Ortho/surgical, transplant.
Relocating to HI shouldn't make you nervous if you want to travel!--I know it's a commitment but moving every three months is more stressful, I would think. A lot of people would kill for that Hawaii experience, so take advantage.

Thank you! I am going to take it. I'm just nervous since it is a permanent position, it is a big commitment, but I realize its a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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Specializes in ICU, and IR.

I would go to HI, I think you are being low offered due to lack of experience. I would try to get a speciality experience too.

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Specializes in Med/tele, Ortho/surgical, transplant.

That's the same thing that I was thinking! Yea, hopefully if I go to HI i can get PCU or step-down experience. I don't think ICU would be for me though.

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I think you will find that PCU/step down is more challenging than ICU. ICU you will have one to two patients in bed. In PCU, you may have 3 to 5 patients, with two on a drip, and three post op patients you need to start ambulating. Personally I think you need much better organizational skills, and it is far more physical. Depends on the hospital of course. In some hospitals, PT coverage will take care of ambulation. But in others, you may have an intubated patient, or at least CPAP. I would suggest shadowing in those units first where you are, getting a feel for them, and then asking your future managers (if you really have a choice) about the length of any internship, and about patient population and acuity.

Mind you, I'm an OR nurse so others might have better insight. I did work for a very stress filled two months on a step down before switching specialties.

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Specializes in Med/tele, Ortho/surgical, transplant.
I think you will find that PCU/step down is more challenging than ICU. ICU you will have one to two patients in bed. In PCU, you may have 3 to 5 patients, with two on a drip, and three post op patients you need to start ambulating. Personally I think you need much better organizational skills, and it is far more physical. Depends on the hospital of course. In some hospitals, PT coverage will take care of ambulation. But in others, you may have an intubated patient, or at least CPAP. I would suggest shadowing in those units first where you are, getting a feel for them, and then asking your future managers (if you really have a choice) about the length of any internship, and about patient population and acuity.

Mind you, I'm an OR nurse so others might have better insight. I did work for a very stress filled two months on a step down before switching specialties.

I think at the hospital the ratios should be okay. It's unionized and for me going on a telemetry floor she stated the ratio is 1:4 so I think PCU would be 1:3. But you are right, I've never had a real interest in PCU or ICU but I'm interested in traveling (and traveling offers way more PCU/ICU jobs) so if I do have the opportunity I will suck it up and get the experience. Thanks for your input!

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi! Would love if you PM me! I'm in the same exact boat as you. Would love to know what you ended up choosing!

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Aloha Nurse2yu!

How is HI? Would love to hear about your experience so far. My dream is travel/live in HI once I get my BSN! Thank you much.

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Specializes in Med/tele, Ortho/surgical, transplant.

Aloha Nurse2yu!

How is HI? Would love to hear about your experience so far. My dream is travel/live in HI once I get my BSN! Thank you much.

Hi! Hawaii has been great so far! I absolutely love it here. The hospital I am it is nice, but the unit is super busy. I enjoy it a lot! I say come to Hawaii and live the Aloha way. It's amazing. I am getting ready to start travel nursing though because I discovered I am the type of person who can't stay in one place for too long. But when I do decide to settle permanently, whenever that will be, I'll come back to Hawaii. It really is the place to be :)

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