james3RN

are you getting a crew cab or regular. i’m probably going to get the crew cab, definitely not the extended. i’m probably going to buy new because i get the employee discount (a friend works at ford), the warranty and 0% financing. why have you chosen to go to er? after doing my research, er was the only department left on the table. about 15 years ago i worked for agencies in the metro-detroit area for ~ 5 years, where i mostly worked in nicu and icu. as i went from hospital to hospital, i always noticed that the only department that was consistently well run was the or. when i first got the travel nurse idea, my first choice was or because there is a lot of demand, plus it’s probably the most “civilized” place to work as you move from hospital to hospital. however, getting a hospital to train me is very difficult, and they all wanted me to sign a contract stating that i’d work there for 1-2 years after the training was done. my plan is to work in er plus get some extra hours in icu. i read about one travel nurse that only worked in icu and only in california because of their nurse to patient ratio system. believe me, i have no illusions that moving around the country working in er is going to be easy. however, i am hoping to stay away from “big city er’s” and stick to mostly rural areas. how does that sound? do you have health insurance as you travel? has it been a problem finding rv parks close to the hospitals that you want to work at?

The reason I added the Truck Camper was because the 33' Travel Trailer will not be able to be parked in remote areas that I want to visit (such as Jenny Lake in the Tetons). I plan on parking the Trailer in RV parks, then I can drive the truck into remote areas to do some hiking, fishing, mountain bike riding, etc. With the Truck Camper on back, I'll still have all of the comforts of home with me. I'm only getting a TC that fits the bed of the truck with no hangover. When I ran the numbers, towing capacity was never a problem, but I ran out of payload with the single rear wheels. That's why I upgraded to the dually, which can easily carry the 2200 pound truck camper. Your rig looks VERY impressive! Do you travel full time? Do you belong to Escappees? Did you choose Texas for your Domicile? Thanks, Jim

hello rod. i'm jim, an rn in michigan. i first read about your travels in an rv ~ 1 year ago and ever since then i've been working hard toward that same goal. i recently sold my condo (closed on 5/31) and i moved into a small apartment that will serve as my "base camp" until i can depart on my adventure. i've been to several rv shows and i've decided to buy a ford f-350 dually with a pickup camper on back, plus pull a 33' travel trailer (rockwood). after years of working in adult icu and nicu, i've worked for the last 10 years for law firms (as a legal nurse consultant) and for insurance companies as a medical case manager in workers' comp and no fault auto. once i decided to become a full-time travel nurse, i started the long process of getting rid of my condo plus all of my unnecessary worldly possessions. finally, i'm happy to say, that ordeal is over. now i'm free to concentrate 100% on becoming a travel nurse. i recently completed an rn refresher course and i'm currently going through the thousands of pages of notes and reading materials from that class. my plan is to get a job in the emergency dept. and start building up my experience. i figure i'll need at least a year of recent experience before i can even start looking for travel assignments. in the meantime, i've got lots of things to do, such as buy and outfit my rig, decide on what state i'll get domicile in, hire a tax accountant, etc. according to my research, the irs will consider me to be an itinerant/transient for tax purposes, and i won't be eligible for any tax-free stipends or per-diems. i'm considering joining the escapees club and getting my domicile in texas. rod, i'm having a very hard time finding any blogs or sites where travel nurses are talking. in fact, you're the only travel nurse that i could find that is currently traveling in an rv. i'd greatly appreciate any advice/leads/suggestions/direction etc. that you could give me so that i don't make any stupid mistakes along the way. thanks, jim

Hello trvlnRN. Are you still out there? I first read about your travels in an RV ~ 2 years ago and have been working hard toward that goal ever since. I recently sold my home and moved into a small apartment. I've been to several RV shows and have decided on buying a Travel Trailer and pulling it with a Pickup Truck. I've worked for the last 4 years as a Medical Case Manager in Workers' Comp. I recently completed an RN Refresher course and I now need to make a decision: I had planned on specializing in the Emergency Dept., but noticed that you work in dialysis. Could you give me some pros and cons of working as a Travel Nurse in the ED vs. Dialysis? Thanks, Jim RN, BSN

EMERGENCYNRSE: I am in the process of buying a Motor Home and to start doing some "traveling nursing". If you have time, I would love to ask you a few questions about working in the ER, etc. Please email me at: [email protected] Thanks, Jim

Hi Rod. I'm Jim from Michigan. Let me ask you for some advice. I've been an RN since 1982. My specialties have been ER, NICU and ICU. In 1995 I went to law school for 3 years, and have been working ever since for law firms and insurance companies. I'm currently a Medical Case Manager in Worker's Comp. and No Fault Auto. I recently decided to buy a Motorhome and start traveling. I have lots of money saved up, but I still need Health Insurance. I've calculated my costs for RV travel and it's ~ $25,000 per year. My thoughts are to work as a Travel Nurse where I could get Health Ins. and if I could make $25,000 per year, I wouldn't have to touch my principle. I understand that I will probably need to take an RN Refresher course, and work for at least 1-2 years in a Specialty to get enough experience to qualify for Travel. It seems to me that ER would be the specialty with the greatest demand. Rod, does the above sound about right? Could you suggest any other web-sites, etc. for me to get info from? Currently, my plan is to take summers off (so I can fish and bike in Yellowstone, Banff, etc.) then head south (to Arizona, Texas, etc.) to work the winters. Any help/suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! Jim at [email protected]

Thanks for your heads up. According to the RV forums that I've read, most people set up a residency in Texas or Florida, where there is no state income tax and the insurance rates are cheaper. I'm still doing research on that topic. My main concern right now is deciding on what nursing job I want to do while on the road. Jim

Hello! My name is Jim Mulligan, and I'm an RN in Michigan. I've recently decided that it's time to sell everything I own, buy a motorhome, and hit the road and see the country. Because I'm still many years from retirement, I still need to work. I want to avoid the big cities if possible, and spend my time in the remote areas of the northwest and southwest U.S.A. After spending many years working in Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU and ER, I diversified in 1995 and studied Law for 3 years. Since 1998 I've worked for Law Firms and Insurance Companies, and for the last 4 years I've worked as a Medical Case Manager specializing in Workers' Comp. and No-Fault Auto. Anyway, I doubt that I can find jobs doing my current specialty on the road, so I've decided that it's best for me to return to my "RN roots". According to my research, working as a Travel Nurse doing 13 week contracts will provide me with a housing stipend (that I can use to pay for the RV parks) plus health insurance and a pay check. It looks like the demand is greatest if I work in ER, ICU or Med-Surg., but it also looks like Dialysis might be a good option. I know that I'll need to have ~ 1-3 years of recent experience before I can start working as a Travel Nurse, but that's ok because it will take me some time to sell all of my stuff and buy the motorhome. Any suggestions that you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Jim MY BIO: JAMES MULLIGAN RN, BSN, MEDICAL-PARALEGAL TEL: (248) 619-9420 E-mail: [email protected] EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Emergency Room, Adult Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Medical-Surgical Unit, Occupational Health Clinics, Urgent Care Clinics, Medical-Paralegal, Medical-Legal Consultant, Risk Manager, Medical Case Manager (Telephonic & Field), etc. EDUCATION: - RN, BSN: Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science from Oakland University (1982) - MEDICAL-PARALEGAL: 3 Year Bachelors Degree from an American Bar Association Approved (ABA) Program Plus 1 Year of Legal Research Training at Oakland County Circuit Court with Judge Mester, etc. Oakland Community College (Graduated 1998) - CERTIFICATIONS: BLS, ACLS and Chain of Custody. - Auto No-Fault Insurance Law Course: 21 Week Course taught by Atty. James Borin. - Occupational & Traumatic Medical Case Management: Consulting Physicians. - Workers' Compensation: Advanced Training Course - Chain of Custody DOT Certifications: Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified); Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified); Rapid Drug Screening; Hair Collection Certified. - OSHA Compliance Course: for Medical & Dental Offices. - Computer Skills include: PC & Mac (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. - Licensed Agent: for Life, Health & Long Term Care Insurance - Airplane Pilot: Fixed Wing (VFR) and Instrument Rated (IFR) WORK EXPERIENCE: - FIELD CASE MANAGER (FCM): Specializing in Workers' Comp. (12/2007-Current) - TELEPHONIC CASE MANAGER (TCM): Specializing in Workers' Comp. (11/05-11/06) - MEDICAL-PARALEGAL & MEDICAL-LEGAL CONSULTANT: I've done projects for Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Third Party Administrators, Hospitals, Medical Experts and Corporations. I specialize in Medical-Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers' Comp., No Fault Auto and Health Insurance. I have performed numerous services, such as: Summarize medical-records, claim files, accident reports, witness statements & depositions; Screened legal cases for merit; Medical & Legal Journal Research; Create data charts & graphs for expert review and trial display; Develop questions for Depositions & Interrogatories; Draft Motions for Summary Disposition and Mediation Summaries; Provide Risk Management to Hospitals, Clinics, Corporations. Attend IME's with Clients, etc. (Independent Consultant 8/1998-Present). - EMERGENCY ROOM, URGENT CARE CLINICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS: Working as a Staff RN where I provided Emergency Care plus performed Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified), Rapid Drug Screening (Monitec Certified), Hair Collection (Psychemedics Certified), 12-Lead EKG's, Physicals, Breathing Tests, Eye Exams (Titmus), Hearing Tests, Immunizations, Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified). OSHA Certified. Independent Nurse Contractor (8/1995-11/2007); (Urgent Care 1/2007-3/2007); Emergency Room (4/2007-6/2007) - NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) @ numerous Metro-Detroit NICU Units working for Nursing Agencies. (7/1985-8/1995) [independent Nurse Contractor] - NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) (7/1983-7/1985) - ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (12/1982-7/1983) - ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (7/1981-12/1982) - MEDICAL-SURGICAL FLOOR (7/1980-6/1981)

Hello! My name is Jim Mulligan, and I’m an RN in Michigan. I’ve recently decided that it’s time to sell everything I own, buy a motorhome, and hit the road and see the country. Because I’m still many years from retirement, I still need to work. I want to avoid the big cities if possible, and spend my time in the remote areas of the northwest and southwest U.S.A. After spending many years working in Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU and ER, I diversified in 1995 and studied Law for 3 years. Since 1998 I’ve worked for Law Firms and Insurance Companies, and for the last 4 years I’ve worked as a Medical Case Manager specializing in Workers’ Comp. and No-Fault Auto. Anyway, I doubt that I can find jobs doing my current specialty on the road, so I’ve decided that it’s best for me to return to my “RN roots”. According to my research, working as a Travel Nurse doing 13 week contracts will provide me with a housing stipend (that I can use to pay for the RV parks) plus health insurance and a pay check. It looks like the demand is greatest if I work in ER, ICU or Med-Surg., but it also looks like Dialysis might be a good option. I know that I’ll need to have ~ 1-3 years of recent experience before I can start working as a Travel Nurse, but that’s ok because it will take me some time to sell all of my stuff and buy the motorhome. Any suggestions that you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Jim MY BIO: JAMES MULLIGAN RN, BSN, MEDICAL-PARALEGAL TEL: (248) 619-9420 E-mail: [email protected] EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Emergency Room, Adult Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Medical-Surgical Unit, Occupational Health Clinics, Urgent Care Clinics, Medical-Paralegal, Medical-Legal Consultant, Risk Manager, Medical Case Manager (Telephonic & Field), etc. EDUCATION: - RN, BSN: Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science from Oakland University (1982) - MEDICAL-PARALEGAL: 3 Year Bachelors Degree from an American Bar Association Approved (ABA) Program Plus 1 Year of Legal Research Training at Oakland County Circuit Court with Judge Mester, etc. Oakland Community College (Graduated 1998) - CERTIFICATIONS: BLS, ACLS and Chain of Custody. - Auto No-Fault Insurance Law Course: 21 Week Course taught by Atty. James Borin. - Occupational & Traumatic Medical Case Management: Consulting Physicians. - Workers’ Compensation: Advanced Training Course - Chain of Custody DOT Certifications: Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified); Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified); Rapid Drug Screening; Hair Collection Certified. - OSHA Compliance Course: for Medical & Dental Offices. - Computer Skills include: PC & Mac (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. - Licensed Agent: for Life, Health & Long Term Care Insurance - Airplane Pilot: Fixed Wing (VFR) and Instrument Rated (IFR) WORK EXPERIENCE: - FIELD CASE MANAGER (FCM): Specializing in Workers’ Comp. (12/2007-Current) - TELEPHONIC CASE MANAGER (TCM): Specializing in Workers’ Comp. (11/05-11/06) - MEDICAL-PARALEGAL & MEDICAL-LEGAL CONSULTANT: I’ve done projects for Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Third Party Administrators, Hospitals, Medical Experts and Corporations. I specialize in Medical-Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers’ Comp., No Fault Auto and Health Insurance. I have performed numerous services, such as: Summarize medical-records, claim files, accident reports, witness statements & depositions; Screened legal cases for merit; Medical & Legal Journal Research; Create data charts & graphs for expert review and trial display; Develop questions for Depositions & Interrogatories; Draft Motions for Summary Disposition and Mediation Summaries; Provide Risk Management to Hospitals, Clinics, Corporations. Attend IME's with Clients, etc. (Independent Consultant 8/1998-Present). - EMERGENCY ROOM, URGENT CARE CLINICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS: Working as a Staff RN where I provided Emergency Care plus performed Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified), Rapid Drug Screening (Monitec Certified), Hair Collection (Psychemedics Certified), 12-Lead EKG’s, Physicals, Breathing Tests, Eye Exams (Titmus), Hearing Tests, Immunizations, Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified). OSHA Certified. Independent Nurse Contractor (8/1995-11/2007); (Urgent Care 1/2007-3/2007); Emergency Room (4/2007-6/2007) - NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) @ numerous Metro-Detroit NICU Units working for Nursing Agencies. (7/1985-8/1995) [independent Nurse Contractor] - NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) (7/1983-7/1985) - ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (12/1982-7/1983) - ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (7/1981-12/1982) - MEDICAL-SURGICAL FLOOR (7/1980-6/1981)

Hello, I'm an Emergency Room nurse in Michigan. In the next year or two I'm thinking about buying an RV and doing some Travel Nursing around the country. However, because of chronic staffing shortages in ER, I'm thinking about switching to another specialty that might not so stressful as I travel from hospital to hospital. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jim