tatarn2b2007

Are you in WA by chance? I was in WA last year and the same thing happened to me and I basically told the cop I will prove to him I do not need to change my license. I never had any issues in any other state when I was pulled over and showed them my out of state license. Don't change your license.

I had exactly 1 year and 5 months of nursing experience when I started traveling in 2009(when the market REALLY sucked) Only 1 year to the day of icu experience and an agency and hospital both took me on and gave me a contract and renewed that contract for a year!! My advice to you is to make sure you ask a lot of questions to both the agency and hospital and dont let anyone take advantage of you!! I had a lot of people telling me I needed more experience, but I knew it was something I wanted to do and I did it. I also worked with 2 other travelers who had triple the experience at big fancy facilities and both were let go for various reasons including not passing the tele test. I am still traveling and have been extended at every contract I have been on. I am not bragging, just trying to illustrate a point. If it's really something you want to do and you have an open mind, a flexible attitude, and a happy smile, go for it!

Sorry for your loss. I lost my stepfather who I was close to while on my first assignment in CT. The hospital was awesome, but my recruiter was less than awesome. She threatened to charge me for housing costs for the week I was off and said she expected me back to work on Friday when he passed away on a Monday. I of course took the time I needed and threatened not to travel with her or renew my contract again and I was not charged with the housing costs. I did not get paid for the time off. Even if you are staff, usually you only get three days off for a close relative like a father and only one day off for a friend, but at least it is paid and taken from your pto. Again, sorry for your loss.

Do it, Do it, Do it! The people you meet and the sights you get to see are so worth it. You don't get involved in the political non sense, you just take care of your patients and go home. You can still work as a traveler at a Magnet hospital. I am working at one right now. There are pros and cons to EVERY situation. Nothing is ever perfect, but for me traveling is the way to go. I can't imagine taking a staff position at this point and I hope I don't have to anytime soon.

I was not impressed with them either. They didn't even check my references, but said they were submitting me for jobs. I had to contact them every week to see what was available for me and one time they told me they were submitting me for a job and the next week they told me they forgot. I know they were rated number one for a number of years, but I think they have fallen off that rating. It probably has a lot to do with the recruiter too. The one I talked to liked to tell me all the perks, but beat around the bush when I asked about certain contracts. Good luck in whoever you go with!

Everyone who is traveling now, which company do you use? How long did it take you to get your contract. Feel free to PM me info if you don't want to answer on here. I am getting frustrated that I don't have a contract yet and I am ending in 3 weeks. I am not even receiving a phone call for interviews. Please help. Thanks!!

Sometimes a place may not seem like it is at the top of the list, but if you are flexible and have an open mind, you can make the most of it. My first travel job was no where on my list at all, but it has actually been ok and I have had the chance to see a lot of places I never would have seen. You are doing a good thing by talking to a lot of companies/recruiters. Most of the time, if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. Do as much research as possible. It is a good idea to get a license somewhere there usually is jobs...such as CA. Good luck!

A great post! My favorites are when day shift comes in and sort of listens to your report and goes and starts that drip that was dc'd at 0530 am when you last talked to the DR. Sorry, not starting a drip that was dc'd. Another favorite is after telling about the night you had when your intubated patient had NO sedation ordered and was 1mm away from being out of bed and walking down the hallway with the vent, the day shift asks if you bathed the patient. No, I am sorry, I was trying to keep them intubated and in bed. You can clean them when you have a tech, a monitor tech, and someone orienting and we had none of the above on night shift. I do understand it is crazy on days, but it is a different kind of crazy on nights. Just be nice and maybe talk about us behind our backs instead of the eye rolling and the snide remarks!

Hi everyone. My contract ends mid Feb and I am wondering if contracts are being posted that far in advance or if it is just my agency that doesn't have any contracts that far in advance? I know it used to be contracts were posted 2-3 months ahead, but I guess with the economy that might not be the case? I am getting a bit antsy since I need to get a license and figure out how I am going to get to my next destination. Not to mention I am antsy about actually having a contract when my contract ends. Also, does your agency lose paperwork? Never get paperwork? Wait to the last minute to tell you they need something? I am not sure if all agencies are created equal or if I should be looking for a new one. Thanks.

I refused to do this with an agency I was working with. My current agency does not make me do this and I feel it is part of the agency's job to have the facility call you. I am due to start a new assignment in Feb and will not call the facility myself. I wonder if it is an agency thing or a facility thing? By the way, when I started traveling last Jan, I only had 1 year of ICU experience and no travel assignments so I don't think your experience had anything to do with it.

Hi. I am a travel nurse, but I am traveling with a little dog...14 pounds. I think it depends on where you go. I know the complex I am living in now has a weight restriction. I would talk to your agency and see what they say regarding weight limits and such. Good luck! Traveling with my dog has been wonderful!

I agree...PPR is wonderful. I talked to Preferred which is a division of American Mobile and they were awful just to talk to. I can't imagine if I would have taken a contract with them. PPR has gone above and beyond for me. Good luck.

Haha. I am facing the same thing. I am trying to just stick with the essentials, but it all seems like it is. I have a rule though, if I have not used it in 6 months, it isnt going with me!! I am a pack rat so its going to be a lot of trial and error!!

Hmmm. I wonder if it is the same agency! I dont like the idea of calling myself. It seems pushy to me.

Hi. I am new to this travel nursing and one of the agencies tells me I have to call the facility myself to interview. A different agency had the facility contact me for the interview. I am wondering which is the most common practice. Thank You.