Questions about travel nursing from someone looking to try it

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Hello all. I have been an RN with a BSN for 2.5 years now, and I absolutely love it. I have found my true calling with this job. I've worked on a rehab floor and as a unit charge nurse. I do love the patient care aspect of my job. However, I think I have outgrown my current job and set of responsibilities, and I want to go new places and try new things. I have been encouraged to apply for a nurse manager position at my current workplace. My problems with that are: 1) I don't really think I'd learn or expand my skill set much more with that job. 2) I don't think my current employer pays me what I'm worth.

With those things in mind, my mind has turned to agency nursing, specifically travel nursing. I'm single, and I have no kids, so I have few responsibilities to tie me down, and I'd like to get out there and explore what other parts of the country have to offer nurses--especially because I've grown tired and bored with the city I've lived in all my life (St. Louis, MO).

I'd like to ask some questions in hopes that there are some nurses here who have tried travel nursing, and might be able to share their insights. So here are my questions, if anyone would be so kind as to answer them:

1) Typically, how much does an agency give you for a housing stipend? Does it vary according to the cost of living in the places you go?

2) Do agencies assist you with finding housing? If so, what types of housing do you usually stay in? Is it extended stay hotels? Corporate apartments?

3) Related to Question 2, Do you need to pack EVERYTHING to take a travel assignment, depending on where you stay--bedding, silverware and glasses, pots and pans, etc?

4) When doing travel nursing, do you have any leeway with choosing your shifts? If you prefer to work days, for example, will an agency or facility accommodate that?

5) I currently live in Missouri, a state whose Board doesn't have continuing education requirements. However, I have gotten licenses for a couple of states whose Boards DO have continuing education requirements. How and where do I find courses that satisfy those requirements? Does a travel nursing agency help you with that? I've taken some courses through my current employer, but don't know if those would count toward continuing education or not.

6) I am currently leasing a car and debating whether I should buy it. I'm debating whether or not I should drive my own car to my travel assignments (cross-country), or fly. If I drive the car cross-country while it's leased, I'll go way over the allotted mileage limit on the lease. If I leave the car on the lease and leave it in St. Louis, I'll be paying for something I'm not even using. If I buy the car and drive it cross-country, I'll be putting a lot of wear and tear on it. What should I do with the car? What's my best option?

7) I have a BSN. I have heard that is worth more, and earns higher pay with agencies. Is that true?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Hello all. I have been an RN with a BSN for 2.5 years now, and I absolutely love it. I have found my true calling with this job. I've worked on a rehab floor and as a unit charge nurse. I do love the patient care aspect of my job. However, I think I have outgrown my current job and set of responsibilities, and I want to go new places and try new things. I have been encouraged to apply for a nurse manager position at my current workplace. My problems with that are: 1) I don't really think I'd learn or expand my skill set much more with that job. 2) I don't think my current employer pays me what I'm worth.

With those things in mind, my mind has turned to agency nursing, specifically travel nursing. I'm single, and I have no kids, so I have few responsibilities to tie me down, and I'd like to get out there and explore what other parts of the country have to offer nurses--especially because I've grown tired and bored with the city I've lived in all my life (St. Louis, MO).

I'd like to ask some questions in hopes that there are some nurses here who have tried travel nursing, and might be able to share their insights. So here are my questions, if anyone would be so kind as to answer them:

1) Typically, how much does an agency give you for a housing stipend? Does it vary according to the cost of living in the places you go?

2) Do agencies assist you with finding housing? If so, what types of housing do you usually stay in? Is it extended stay hotels? Corporate apartments?

3) Related to Question 2, Do you need to pack EVERYTHING to take a travel assignment, depending on where you stay--bedding, silverware and glasses, pots and pans, etc?

4) When doing travel nursing, do you have any leeway with choosing your shifts? If you prefer to work days, for example, will an agency or facility accommodate that?

5) I currently live in Missouri, a state whose Board doesn't have continuing education requirements. However, I have gotten licenses for a couple of states whose Boards DO have continuing education requirements. How and where do I find courses that satisfy those requirements? Does a travel nursing agency help you with that? I've taken some courses through my current employer, but don't know if those would count toward continuing education or not.

6) I am currently leasing a car and debating whether I should buy it. I'm debating whether or not I should drive my own car to my travel assignments (cross-country), or fly. If I drive the car cross-country while it's leased, I'll go way over the allotted mileage limit on the lease. If I leave the car on the lease and leave it in St. Louis, I'll be paying for something I'm not even using. If I buy the car and drive it cross-country, I'll be putting a lot of wear and tear on it. What should I do with the car? What's my best option?

7) I have a BSN. I have heard that is worth more, and earns higher pay with agencies. Is that true?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to travel nursing. You have SO many opportunities!

It is NOT easy to work in a new place with 2 days of orientation.

I got into it late in the game, but I got to work for the Mayo Clinic.. and live in Hawaii.

You need to start with talking to travel agency recruiters. They are begging for nurses.

They will offer you assignments, and take care of you very well. The tax benefits are also a huge benefit.

Get that first assignment and succeed at it.. and the world awaits you.

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