Questions for Experienced Travelers

LadyNASDAQ · Jun 5, 2007

First off, every agency offers something different. I'm divorced and would take my Mom with me who I wouldn't leave alone. It's a piece of cake once you know what you want and need.

For me, I want to fly in and out. I don't want to drive a long distance. Just arrive there with my suitcases, pick up my rental car provided to me by the agency and drive to my apt. or extended stay that has everything in it that I need. My last assignment ended Oct. 1st and I was in Calif. My place had everything in it and all I needed to do was to go shopping for groceries or eat out, my call. I was also shuttled to work. That was a rare instance but it was a nice thing additional.

JRapha'sRN · Jun 5, 2007

1. Do you like the traveling?
2. Did significant other go with you? Was it easy to arrange w/agency?
3. Was the housing convenient to job site & located in safe area?
4. If you have a multi-state license, how did you maintain/establish new
proof of residence without obtaining a new license?
5. Did you have to get new tags/drivers license?
6. How do you file your taxes (1 state or 1 part time resident form)?
7. Is the housing allowance taxable?
8. Did you have any trouble with medical coverage/finding new MD?
9. Housing wise - is everything provided - appliances? linens? dishes?
10. If you drive your vehicle, do they provide travel reimbursement
immediately or does it take awhile to get it?
11. Did you receive you completion bonus in a timely manner?

1: Yup, otherwise I wouldn't have continued for more than one contract

2: Yes, I didn't arrange anything myself, I just told my recruiter he was coming and let her do any extra work (ie: private housing)

3: Yes, most companies base their reputation on their housing

4-7: don't get your tax advice from me, I'm not an expert. Check out the following sites for accurate and reliable advice. (yes, you can get lots of advice on this board, but I've been more secure trusting a tax professional)

http://www.traveltax.com/

http://kobaly.com/

http://www.healthcaretraveler.com/healthcaretraveler/ (look in the list on the left for "tax tips" and other helpful info)

8: I never needed a new MD. Occasionally if I needed something (a form signed or abx or something) I'd ask one of the docs I worked with and was comfortable with-- or there's always local walk-in clinics

9-11: varies with the company as do most of the other questions

Hope this helps. Don't stress out. Enjoy your new experience.

Michellex1013 · Jun 9, 2007

I'm on my second contract.

1. yes, but you have to learn to go with the flow, and when in rome act roman. That is the hardest part for me

2. My b/f travels with me. All I had to do was give my agency his name so the apartment complex would know who was in the apartment

3. I have asked lots of travelers about this and 99% love their housing

5. I keep my DL and regristration from my original state. I don't know if it is legal or acceptable but i do. I use my family's address (my previous address) as my permanant mailing address.

6. I wish I had the answer to this question

7. It depends on if you have a residence in your home state. It can't be just a room at a friend's house. I think you have to maintain some type of residency there and pay acceptable rent or a morgage.

8. I miss my original family doctor but was easily able to go to another one on an assignment. Know your insurance policy well. My travel insurance deductible is high.

9. The company I'm using typically supplies furniture. no linens, tv, microwave, or utensils. I told them I wouldn't travel without an in-unit washer and dryer. They wanted to charge me 40.00/mo. I said no way and I have a washer and dryer. Just be firm with what you must have. I think a "corporate package" comes with the linens and things listed above. I have heard from travelers that they are put up in a Extended Stay America which is a hotel/motel with a kichenette. I would rather have an apartment, but I also drive to each assignment.

10. My travel reimbursment always comes with my first pay check. Make sure you fax the necessary paperwork and call to make sure they received it.

11. Never got a completion bonus.

Michelle

sexyaqr · Jun 9, 2007

WOW
There are so many posts on here I wasn't sure I had time to scroll through all them so NEW post.
I am leaving for my 1st travel assisgnment in July and have so many questions that I was hoping that someone could provide answers to some of them anyway.
1. Do you like the traveling?
2. Did significant other go with you? Was it easy to arrange w/agency?
3. Was the housing convenient to job site & located in safe area?
4. If you have a multi-state license, how did you maintain/establish new
proof of residence without obtaining a new license?
5. Did you have to get new tags/drivers license?
6. How do you file your taxes (1 state or 1 part time resident form)?
7. Is the housing allowance taxable?
8. Did you have any trouble with medical coverage/finding new MD?
9. Housing wise - is everything provided - appliances? linens? dishes?
10. If you drive your vehicle, do they provide travel reimbursement
immediately or does it take awhile to get it?
11. Did you receive you completion bonus in a timely manner?
I know this is a lot of questions however am sure it is only the tip of an iceberg - I'm just a LITTLE OCD. If you could shed some light I would be most grateful.
:thankya:

1. Yes I absolutely love traveling and the only way I will stop is if I get pregnant;)

2. My husband is in the military, so no he did not go with me. Most of our marriage he has been deployed or something or the other

3. The housing that my company provides is always top of the line for the city that I work in. No problems with safety or proximity to job

4. Multi-state license? I keep my state license anywhere I go. Never had any problems

5.I still have my exact tags on my car. No need to change it for each state you visit

6. Taxes are a pain in the butt. I couldn't file as a part-time resident cause I maintain an address in my home state

7. Yes the housing allowance is taxable

8. No

9. You get a furnished apt. Living room with couch side tables, coffee table, lamps, TV stand and bedroom furniture. No linens, pots or pans. Those stuff you bring yourself

10. The travel reimbursement appears on the first check

11. Yes my completion bonus was sent about a week after the end of my assignment

Diary/Dairy, RN · Jul 15, 2007

http://www.traveltax.com/
http://kobaly.com/
http://www.healthcaretraveler.com/healthcaretraveler/ .

Thanks for the helpful websites!!