dutchie

I can't find the reference form to download. Anyone have a link? Thank you!

Mine will be ending soon also. I was told I should get a reference before I leave. Is there a generic form or do I use agency specific? Taking pics and making a scrapbook sounds like a good idea too!

The air mattress sounds like it could work. Easily portable at least. And I like simple. The quotes I got were at a TX apartment. Furnished did include everything except cable/internet.

I am debating whether to get a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Seems easier to get furnished of course, but the difference in rent is over $600/month. I understand about picking up some cups and plates at the Goodwill, but what about furniture? I would be on the 3rd floor apartment so picking up a chair and bed would not be easy. Nor would other conveniences like a nightstand or kitchen table. I don't need much, but I do need some things! What do you bring? What do you purchase? And what do you do about furniture if you don't get a furnished place? Thanks!

So after finding a good location, should I ask about pay and housing before I interview? I will be traveling with pets so housing may be an issue. Also, with "regular" jobs, pay isn't really discussed until after an interview so I'm just trying to learn the traveling way :)

I hope to be negotiating my first contract soon. I'm wondering which of these details should be discussed first. Location, Housing or Pay. Each will determine whether or not I take an assignment, but I'm not sure when to bring up each topic. Do I wait until I've accepted a position to discuss housing? Do I ask about pay before interviewing? I don't want to waste anyone's time but really each of those can be a deal breaker for me. What works best?

I had thought about taking whatever stipend they offered for declining company insurance also. Unfortunately, the few companies I have decided to go with charge $9-10 a week for insurance and just don't charge you if you don't take it. No stipend.

I searched and saw only old threads on RV travel. Anyone have an opinion on whether this is a good option considering gas prices and availability of RV camp sites? Also as a single female traveler, are RV sites generally safe? I will be traveling with 3 small dogs and RV traveling sounds like fun as well as practical with the animals. Anyone care to share their experience/opinions?

I also am concerned about traveling across the country and failing a test. I know my stuff, but that is some pressure! I wonder if a company would help you get back home. More questions for the recruiters. I would just rather avoid this test if possible. Thanks for the info.

Is that negativity just in certain parts of TX or is it found alll over? Are there areas to avoid? Please tell me there's at least a few good points about TX as it is close to home for me and I had hoped to be able to take a few jobs there.

If you google "what to ask travel nursing company" or something like that, you will get an idea of the questions you should be asking. Also sign up on PanTravelers if you haven't already. Its free and has lots of resources. I had to use my specialty (psych) to narrow agencies because not all have psych. Check the agency's list of jobs to make sure they have plenty in your specialty. Good Luck!

Is that per diem for housing and meals? I am also trying to compare numbers. Seeing such a low hourly offered to me is scary. For me it's hard to include the nontaxable as income as I know it will be spent on housing. PanTravelers is a great resource though and helps to put it in perspective.

How common is the PBDS testing? Should I expect to have to take this at each assignment or is it a rare hospital that requires it? I would like to travel to FL for the winter, is it common there? Also, is this test a universal test or specialty specific? I work in psych, and therefore am not comfortable testing in cardiac, L&D, trauma, etc. I would definitely need a refresher! Thanks!

I also understand that you have to work when you're at home at your "tax home". Is there an amount you need to work, or make, to have it still considered tax home? My tax home would be about 70 miles from my home workplace when not traveling. Does that matter?

So my choices would be to pay for my insurance all the time, or pay for COBRA when I'm not working. Seems the COBRA choice would be cheaper? I'll have to look into that more. Do companies generally give you an insurance stipend if you pay for your own, like with housing?

What agency are you using?

I have been searching for info on health insurance while traveling. I have only seen American Mobile/NursesRx show that they provide insurance for up to 30 days between assignments. Are there others? I am concerned about not being covered, but still want extended time off between jobs. Please direct me to a great company!

Does anyone know of a website that will show me some basic or commonly used medical terms/phrases in sign language. I post this in the patient safety forum because I believe this is a safety issue. If we cannot communicate at all with our patient, that's an issue! I would like to be able to sign things about medications, allergies and be able to answer questions like when the doc will be in to see them or what time they will do an activity. My facility has an interpreter only until the early evening, while the patient stays awake another few hours. This includes med pass time. While I'm able to ask their name, I can't communicate much else. I'm aware that we can write back and forth, but that's difficult sometimes as our facility is for kids and not every kid can read and write well. Thanks!!

They are using medication aides in my state. The rules are very specific regarding what they can and cannot do. They only pass pills, they don't do any treatments or mess with tubes and such. No narcotics either. This is leaving the LPNs more time to be with their patients, to actually go back and assess prn meds, and is cutting down on med errors since they are not being distracted during med passes. I don't think they're weeding out the LPNs, I think they're giving them a little help.