Realistic idea?

[alaf95]

Hi all! My husband just got into PA school and we’ll be moving to CO from NC this summer. I’ve thought about travel nursing some, but am not sure how it would work out since we’ll likely be in CO for 2.5-4 years. Part of me wants to try a 13 week assignment and then move to a permanent position after the holidays this year, since that’ll be the only time off my husband really has for the next couple years, and I don’t want to not be able to spend time with him and visit family (the one time we might get to) because I’m working. Is that an unrealistic idea of how travel nursing works, or does that seem reasonable?

Also when we move I’ll have just shy of 2 years experience in a trauma/surgical step down unit at a level 1 trauma center. From a recruiters perspective is that enough experince?

Thanks for any advice!!

[NedRN]

Enough experience, but not sure how travel nursing will work towards your short term goals. If it is Colorado where you want to take an assignment, not only is pay generally bad for travel nurses there, but you won't be eligible for tax benefits there (a major part of travel compensation) and can likely do better as staff. You will also better negotiate sign on bonuses and moving expenses if you are not already living there.

Same issue with taking a travel assignment in another state. You have abandoned one tax home and not yet established another one. This means you are itinerate, or without a home. This means wherever you are working is home, and you again are not eligible for tax benefits as a traveler working away from your tax home.

You can still do this either way, but compensation won't be good. In addition, you may have to fight recruiters who will encourage you to break the law by claiming a relative's address as your tax home. You may also suffer in a choice of assignments because of your relative lack of experience and none as a traveler. Regardless of experience, all travelers get the same bill rate at a particular facility. Thus a manager will pick the best candidate. But by all means, if this still sounds like a good route for you, call some agencies and see what they say.