cydney7

Thanks for the info, BagLady. I'm getting so much from these posts! How long have you been travelling? How's the pay with Cross Country? Benefits? Do they do what they say they're going to do? I've read good and bad things..........

Hi all-- I would be really interested to hear about bad and good agencies to travel with. I haven't done it yet, but I'm definitely interested. Has anyone heard anything about Onward Healthcare? It looks promising, but after reading all of these posts, you just never know. I know that I need to do my research and ask all the right questions, but it would just help me to know what agencies to look into. Thanks.

Jen-- What was so hard about it for you? For me, it was having to make lightning fast decisions.........the stress of that was just too much to handle! I don't think I'm very good under that kind of stress, you know? People are looking at you, expecting you to know exactly what to do immediately, and you're looking for someone else to tell you what to do! Know what I mean? It was just too much, and definitely not my thing. Besides, all the nurses up there (except for one or two) were very catty and not very, um, welcoming to new nurses. At least I didn't feel like they wanted me there. Oh well. But yeah, postpartum is great. I would still be doing it, but had to get out because I was working nights, and it was killing me. So I'm doing hospice now. Big change, huh?

Baglady-- I did L & D for about three months, and I was in orientation the entire time because I just wasn't catching on. It definitely wasn't for me, and I definitely don't feel comfortable enough to do it when I travel. Thanks for letting me know about that, though, I'll definitely keep it in mind.

I'm really curious to hear more about your experience in Alaska. How small is the hospital that you work at? I'm from Mississippi, so I'm sure those winters would be crazy. Alaska is actually one place I've thought about. I want to go to places that are a little more remote...........Montana, Maine, places like that. Where have you travelled? And if you don't mind, what agency do you use? Thanks for your help.

Re: Advice, thoughts, wisdom........ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cydney: Onward HC, and the others I am not too sure about. On Assaignment has a good reputation. Get a good recruiter that you feel good about. Many assaignments are great. There are lots that are from facilites that can not staff for a good reason (they are difficult). I prefer smaller facilites as well. Take your time in checking. Put together a list of what to discuss with the Nurse Manager. REad through the Travel Nursing posts etc. I think, with your experience, you will do well. It sounds like you have more then a couple of years. Travel Nursing can sure cure burn out. It can be rewarding too financially. Just take your time with choosing an assaignment. Let's keep the conversation on the Board so more posters benefit and you will get more feedback. Happy travels. Quote: Originally Posted by NurseCyd Hi Nightngale-- I've been a member of allnurses for a while now, and just recently started reading posts again. I've been a nurse for two years, and currently work in home hospice. I've only been there for a month, and I really do love it, but I still feel sort of.......unfulfilled, I guess. I think I might like to try travel nursing, but I guess I'm pretty apprehensive about it. Most of my career has been spent in postpartum, which I love. I've also worked in med/surg (yuck), NICU (didn't last), and labor/delivery (also didn't last). If I travelled, I would prefer to do postpartum and/or nursery. My travel experience is severely lacking, I guess. The bravest thing I ever did was leave home and work in Yosemite National Park for three months (before I was a nurse). It was amazing and taught me so many things about myself. I've had a tough year and think I need to do some of that "soul-searching" again. So, I guess I'll get to the questions I have. I'm interested in smaller hospitals, mostly. I've done the big hospital thing and don't like it much. I've researched about three or four agencies so far. Can you recommend some of the better ones? Do you know anything about Onward Healthcare? That's one I've been looking at a lot. Also Nurse Choice (but don't want to do the 48-hour work week), Travel Nurse Across America (I think), and a couple more. Do they expect you to drive to assignments? I know they will usually supplement you for this. My dad made a good point---he said that travel nurses get paid a lot because the working conditions aren't so great. Do you find this to be true? I hope not, because most travel nurses I've met absolutely love it. I think he just doesn't want me to leave home---he worries. Anyway, I'm just rambling on and on here. I guess that I would just appreciate any and all advice you could give me about traveling, or recommend me to someone who can help. I'm so curious but just don't know where to start. Thanks so much. Hope you've had a great weekend. Cydney

Well, here I am, another nurse looking to possibly change jobs and work for a hospice agency. I interviewed today at Sta-Home (does anyone know much about this agency? just curious), and it went really well. I'm not really worried about whether or not I'll get the job; I think I will. But, I guess that my confidence level is really low right now. I wonder if I'll be good at it, if I can handle it, if it will be a good "fit" for me.........so many things running through my head. Anyone else know what I mean? I've been in a hospital for about a year and a half now, ever since I got out of nursing school. I've worked in med/surg, NICU, and mother/baby (where I am right now). But, I haven't found my niche, my calling, whatever you want to call it. I guess that I would really hate to change jobs again and end up being miserable, again. The pay's okay. It would be about what I'm making right now (working the night shift though). They pay for health and dental insurance, which is great. The mileage is 30 cents per mile (is this typical or a complete rip-off?), and they do rotate call for nights and weekends. I know that it's not really an 8-5 job. But, I also want to have a life. I want to be able to get out of town for a couple of days if I need to. I need that, you know? I don't want to take this job only to find out that I have no free time other than work. I don't know, guys. I'm just confused, I guess. Any advice?? This was mostly written as a "venting" sort of thing, so if it doesn't make sense, sorry!