lightwalker

I made a verbal agreement for a travel nursing position. The agency emailed my paperwork and contract, etc., but I haven't signed it yet. The position is 2600 miles away. They don't actually pay any travel expenses as it turns out (any travel stipend is deducted from pay), and in general the position now seems less than ideal. I initially agreed since it's my first travel assignment and I am really anxious to get back to nursing after taking the summer off to hike. I am having second thoughts. Any feedback on where I am on this legally, morally, and in terms of career moves would be most welcome! Also, do all agencies pretty much just take the travel stipend out of pay like that, or do some of them actually reimburse for expenses? Thanks.

I would like to transition into travel nursing sometime this fall. I've worked for 3 years on a busy general surgery floor, with floats to medical, ortho, cardiac, oncology, and neuro. This was my first job out of school, and I feel fairly confident now as an RN, and will get good references. Does anyone have tips about how to find a good agency, what to look for in assignments, what to expect, filling out the applications, etc. I have lots of life experience traveling, and chose nursing as a second career in part because it would allow me to travel. I want a good first experience so that I will want to keep at it. Also, I am taking a 4 month hiatus to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this summer and would like to get as much of the paperwork and bureaucratic issues out of the way before I take off in June. How realistic is this? I've looked at some forums ranking agencies, and am confused. Any advice, stories, encouragement, etc. would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

I would like to transition into travel nursing sometime this fall. I've worked for 3 years on a busy general surgery floor, with floats to medical, ortho, cardiac, oncology, and neuro. This was my first job out of school, and I feel fairly confident now as an RN, and will get good references. Does anyone have tips about how to find a good agency, what to look for in assignments, what to expect, filling out the applications, etc. I have lots of life experience traveling, and chose nursing as a second career in part because it would allow me to travel. I want a good first experience so that I will want to keep at it. Also, I am taking a 4 month hiatus to hike the Pacific Crest Trail this summer and would like to get as much of the paperwork and bureaucratic issues out of the way before I take off in June. How realistic is this? I've looked at some forums ranking agencies, and am confused. Any advice, stories, encouragement, etc. would be very much appreciated. Thanks!