AlishaaaRN

Thank you NedRN, I have learned so much about travel nursing by reading your feedback on multiple topics and from your responses to my own questions....You are my unofficial Travel Nurse Guru! I would PM you to thank you but I don't have that capability yet. I went ahead and got the insurance through NSO, better safe than sorry. I start my first Assignment in August in California! =)

Just wanted to get some seasoned travelers opinion on this. Do you purchase your own malpractice insurance as a traveler? If so, from where? Seems like a good thing to have, but others believe that having liability insurance makes you more of a target. Does your agency cover you? or if something comes up you're on your own? Thanks for any feedback! ~AK

Hey All! Has anyone every traveled to Southern California Hospital at Culver City, in LA? Debating on taking my first travel assignment out to there, just looking for any info! Housing in the area doesn't look to bad using craigslist and airbnb.. can find a studio or rent a room. Thanks! ~AMK

I'm planning to start traveling this summer too for the first time! I'm 25, F, from VA. Been in the CCU for two years (first job out of nursing school after doing a 3 month nurse residency) I want to travel and see the country and your travel list is matching my list... Adding on a Utah/ Colorado assignment in there too! From all my reading it sounds like the most important things are: 1. Having a successful first assignment under your belt... even if may not be in the exact travel destination you want to be.... I also realize my specialty ICU experience will make it even more difficult for me. 2. Getting EVERYTHING in writing. 3. Talk with multiple recruiters from different agencies so you can compare offers. 4. Take the stipend as you make more money and can find your own place that you like and accommodates your needs. 5. Before accepting an offer, read up about the hospital on this site to see the reviews it's gotten. 6. Have a good attitude. I hope it works out! If you start an assignment this spring, let me know how it's going! I've been harassing a few friends from nursing school about doing travel nursing with me and can't get any bites. I feel like this is such a good opportunity with our profession and can not pass it up! But agree a partner in crime would make it better :) Good luck!! ~~Alisha~~

This is awesome. I am deeply considering Travel Nursing this upcoming summer and have been reading the threads and posts for months now. I just wanted to thank all of you guys for discussing your experiences on AllNurses and posting your advice. It's definitely given me a lot to consider and what to expect. A good portion of me is terrified to do it but I think that's natural before you make a Major life change

Thank you Ned! That was very helpful. I have already started drafting a reference form to give to coworkers and charge nurses and am going to ask my Director and Clinical Coordinator for written references. Also attempting to put a portfolio together. The Cardiac ICU is my first job out of Nursing School so that is the only material I have to work with professionally as a nurse. For a portfolio I was thinking of including special Cardiac related competencies, Mid-year evaluations that I have received from work and Thank You notes/Recognition from families. Probably only creating 3-5 PDFs with this material in it also Along with a resume/ mission statement. Does this sound appropriate ? Thanks for reading and your insight! ~Alisha

Thanks for the response, When applying to just the agencies, will they be calling your current employer for reference? I just want to prepare my boss ahead of time instead of surprising her with phone calls from Travel Companies.

Hi There! I have been working in the Cardiac ICU for about a year and a half now. I do love where I work but I am 25 and want to travel the country before I settle down. My question is, when is the right time to apply to agencies? I've been doing research on travel nursing and have heard that applying to multiple agencies will help you in negotiating pay/bonuses/ stipend/ etc. but how long does the process take to apply, talk to an agent and start finding jobs that want you. I ask because I have not told my boss yet. My current apartment lease is up June 28th and about that time I will have been working in the Cardiac ICU for 2 years. I'm debating on starting to travel right in July or to move back home for a bit and wait til Summer is over to begin assignments and traveling. (I am aware that certain states are not compact and you have to apply for a license and that takes some time... I'm not worried about factoring that in.) Basically, when should I break the news to my boss? I do want her as a reference and she would have good things to say but I do feel bad leaving my unit because I love them so much (and feel like I will be disappointing them since they hired me as a new grad). If I start applying in December, is that way to early because I won't be available until July? Tips? Suggestions? Thanks so much!