MISSLOVERN

I just applied for my CA license so I was thinking about going there next but I am starting to get a little homesick so I may end up going somewhere closer to home (Charlotte, NC).

I'm currently in Houston until mid-April on a travel assignment by myself. This is my first contract and I am enjoying it so far. I work nights at Mainland Medical Center which is about 30 miles outside of Houston. I haven't met that many people here so far and I've been here for 2 mos now. That would be great if you took an assignment here!

Has anyone traveled to LA? My current contract ends at the end of January and I am looking to travel to California next, preferably LA. I am currently working with Access Nurses, Cirrus, and Crosscountry. Any advice on California, LA, or these particular agencies would be great!

I have been here for about a month now and I only took an 8 week assignment since this is my first. I'm actually in something called an "earning power program." Basically I was very naive to the whole travel nursing thing when I first started and jumped on the first opportunity since I have little experience being a nurse for only about 18 months now. The earning power program does not guarantee hours and you travel to different hospitals and different units in the city. I have not worked on one unit more than twice so it's very very hard for me to meet people since there is absolutely no consistency. Also, I have been cancelled ALOT! For instance, this week I only worked one shift the whole week! I know it's Christmas and all but I can't live like this! Thank God for the per diem weekly allowance that I am guaranteed! But through the negative I have found positivity. I have definitely learned alot especially about flexibility. I know what to ask for for my next contract. I am never gonna do this float thing again. Just one hospital and one unit from now on! I have also learned how to be alone seeing that I have only met one girl that I actually do things with outside of work and she doesn't even work with me, I met her in orientation. I wish I would have known all this before I signed that piece of paper but I guess you live and you learn! NOW, as far as the actually city, lol, it is pretty nice. The weather has been great except for alot of rain at times. Other than that I have hardly brought my coats out of the closet! It stays mainly in the 60s and 70s and this is December. I heard in the summertime it is kind of miserable due to the humidity and high temperatures. Supposedly theres alot to do but since I've been a loner for the most part I havent been able to explore much. Thank goodness for my friends coming to spend some time with me for New Years! I hate to sound to negative but it's hard to think positive when you are stuck in a hotel room all day! Hope this helps. Happy New Year to you! Wish you were here for that drink. I definitely sound like I need it, lol. I would love to travel to the Virgin Islands one day. I have friends from St. Thomas and San Croy. Talk to you soon...

Any travelers in the Houston, TX area? I've been here for about a month now and I'm looking to meet more travelers.

Just wondering....do travel agencies offer sign on bonuses anymore?? Its seems like every agency I have talked to recently doesn't even mention them. Is that a thing of the past due to the economy/recession?