Questions about travel nursing

EKUGRAD, BSN, MSN, RN, CNS · Jan 31, 2017

Sounds like you are considering a career move to the wild and wacky world of travel nursing.

I retired from State service a while back and went into traveling with my big, dumb smile and my eyes shut. You would think I would know better after being an RN over 35 years at the time. Anyway, here's to your queries and see my update at the end.

-How close is housing to the job site usually?

My first assignment was right over the line from Washington, D.C. in Virginia. I let the company get my housing when they promised an extended stay hotel. That's what I got: an extended stay hotel, at Dulles Airport. Where all the construction workers stay. If you don't know about D.C., Dulles International is 1 1/2 hours away, on toll roads. It took me almost 2 hours to get home because of Washington gridlock. And I still had to pay tolls !

-Does furnished really mean furnished? Or is it just partially furnished?

My extended stay was about 300 square feet, nice sized bed and little kitchenette. Not bad, really. Maid service weekly.

-Is housing usually decent, clean, and in an ok area?

It was decent and the area was OK. BUT, the dozens of construction workers came in on Fridays with, literally, truckloads of beer. They partied hardy until Sunday. At least three times I had a guy pound on my door at 5:00 AM to get someone up that was NEXT to my room.

-Do you usually have the opportunity to extend the length of the job, or is that rare?

I wasn't even consulted on my first assignment. My 13 weeks were up and the office wouldn't return my calls. I just kept going to work every day. I figured if they quit paying me, it was time to go home.

Quick Aside about pay: I didn't get paid for the first 6 weeks of my first assignment. I just thought that was how it worked (IT ISN'T).

-Do you bring your car? If not, do you lease or how do you get around?

I drove to D.C. from Tennessee and then put over 1000 miles per week on it just getting to and from work.

All righty, then. Let's go back and see how our wayfaring nurse is doing.

HOUSING - I found out the agency was paying $1500 / month for my little hidey hole in the woods. I have always been able to find furnished places, most with really nice stuff (better that I have at home!). I went on Craig's List (a gold mine for travelling nurses) and found a 700 sq. ft. basement apartment, one bedroom, bath, kitchen huge living area. Full cable, internet and all utilities included. Best part: it was 5 minutes from work ! I didn't even have to get on any major highways. The all inclusive rent was $1200 / month with the other $300 going in my pocket. This is how I have done it ever since. As soon as I get confirmation on an assignment, I hit the nearest C.L. and start home hunting. In Texas I had a great one bedroom, first floor apartment, huge front yard, with a garage for $600 / month, all inclusive, 10 minutes to work. Once I had to stay in a hotel in Podunk, Kentucky and thought I was going to die ! I work nights and they don't clean rooms at that time. I had maid service about every 3 weeks and had to do my own garbage. The food was left over Korean war surplus, I think. I did use one of their fried eggs to patch a tire one Saturday, though.

I am currently working Psychiatric Crisis E.R. in Milwaukee. I rented a basement in the home of a retired hair dresser: one bedroom, bath, kitchen, living room, $600 / month, all inclusive, 10 minutes to work, very well furnished with antiques and art pieces. Bathroom was just completely redone.

My method is usually to let my agency get a hotel for the first few days so I can find my way around and get a better idea of the neighborhoods. Then I get "The List" and find me a place. Only 2 of my temporary homes didn't have security systems.

EXTENDING - If you and your Employer/Manager, etc. feel it's a good fit, there are almost always opportunities to extend. The only place I didn't get a offer was a big psych unit in Nebraska that down-sized and hired new nurses while I was there. And, who got to train the new nurses ? ME !!!!

The car thing is personal. The furthest I have traveled was North Platte, Nebraska, just South of the South Dakota border. It took two full days of driving to get there. I really love to travel by car and explore along the way so I like it a lot. Depends on your own viewpoint. My travel vehicle is a 2003 Toyota Camry that has never failed me. I ride a motorcycle also and trailer it with me. All that being said, when I was on a job in Kentucky, a nurse from another agency was there from Mississippi and her agency rented her a new car. She could drive it the whole time and even drove it home twice. I have also worked with nurses who negotiated into their contract that they could fly home one weekend per month at company expense.

-Anything else I should know? -

Yes. Lots and lots and lots. This forum is excellent. There is a website called Gypsy Nurse.com you want to check out, too. Keep reading, asking questions and give it your best shot. Even if you only do one assignment, it will definitely be in your story book when you retire.

Remember, as Steven Wright said,

It's a small world. But I wouldn't want to paint it.