RN with huge medical debt, looking for high paying work

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Hey all, I was a member here on allnurses before and received a lot of great advice that led me to getting a job with Johns Hopkins Hospital. Back then I was in it for all the right reasons, and still feel like I am, but money has become a serious issue. . . 2 weeks before I was supposed to leave for Johns Hopkins, I was run over by a very careless, and very unisured truck driver. The bills were tremendous, and I've not worked in three years second to being bedridden for 5 months, and a host of long lasting injuries sustained in the wreck. Still, I went back to school and got a degree in Health Administration (graduated with highest honors) and already have a couple of years of Med/Surg experience as an RN. I'd like to pay off my medical /school debts, which are huge and then go into LTC. So. . . is kind of like I'm a new grad again, but I am looking to totally maximize my earnings potential by moving the WHERE EVER I CAN MAKE THE MOST MONEY IN A reasonably SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I'm single, very mobile, and have been rehabed enough to handle anything but Med/Surg again. Any suggestions. . . Are there some cities that are just paying that much more than others? Is the Middle East still worth it? I'm thinking travel nursing, but I need experience in a specialty area first right? Any suggestions? Please/thank you. . . (PS, I'm about 100% healthy again, and stopped whining about my accident before I even left my house/hospital bed I was stuck in there. . . so, I'm READY TO WORK, and I have a great attitude...) I was looking at LTC in Texas, but at $18/HR I can't even pay rent/bills! LTC is my long-term goal though. . . someday I would like to build my own nursing home that utilizes the Eden Alternative Principles. Thanks again. R.

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how high?

back on page 2 there is a thread "What is ur 2 week pay" with lots of answers

I've seen ads for RNs in Phoenix Arizona for $90,000.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Home care IV infusion can provide you some big $$$ if willing to travel over large territory. Certainly is easier on the back/muscles. Look into it in your area.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Look into area agency. You can pick and choose your assignments and earn a high hourly rate. If you don't want to work Med-Surg, simply tell the agency that you'd like to avoid Med-Surg.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Is the Middle East still worth it?

I hope you don't choose travel nursing in the Middle East. I think it's far too dangerous for an American in the current climate. Too many Islamofascists who are out for Americans.

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Too many Islamofacists? Maybe if we can get past sophomoric name calling and start seeing other people as what they are: human beings just like us. . .

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Specializes in Cardiac, Acute/Subacute Rehab.
Too many Islamofacists? Maybe if we can get past sophomoric name calling and start seeing other people as what they are: human beings just like us. . .

Not a nurse yet, but you wouldn't catch me even considering going to the Middle East. If the United States wasn't an Iraqi occupant, maybe. . .no, I take that back. I could have the best of intentions and attitudes, but that may not mean anything to the ONE Anti-American person it would take to ruin my whole day. Especially right now, given the current state of affairs.

There have to be places within the States that can offer a "comfortably" safe environment that pay well enough for what you're looking for.

Either way, good luck!!

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You said you have a degree in Health Administration ... is it a Bachelors or a Masters? If you have your MHA you may be able to get into more of a management/administrative position that would likely pay more than floor nursing AND involve working shorter days.

Another option, as a couple others have also recommended, is to work through an agency, either as a traveler or right in your hometown. Agencies typically offer much higher salaries in lieu of perks such as insurance, PTO/vacation, and other company-sponsored incentives. It might be worth looking into.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Too many Islamofacists? Maybe if we can get past sophomoric name calling and start seeing other people as what they are: human beings just like us. . .

OK, there are too many human beings that like to kill Americans over there.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac Floor.
I hope you don't choose travel nursing in the Middle East. I think it's far too dangerous for an American in the current climate. Too many Islamofascists who are out for Americans.

Don't do it. It's not worth it if you don't live long enough to ENJOY being debt free...:nono:

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
Too many Islamofacists? Maybe if we can get past sophomoric name calling and start seeing other people as what they are: human beings just like us. . .

Yes, human beings just like us, except for the hating Americans enough to kill them part. Your name calling complaint is very difficult to take seriously, considering your use of the term sophomoric.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Too many Islamofacists? Maybe if we can get past sophomoric name calling and start seeing other people as what they are: human beings just like us. . .

I hardly think it's name calling to acknowledge a group that's purpose is to literally kill infidels (that's you). One of the Islamofascists primary tenets is that foreigners should not be on their holy land. If so, it's time for jihad (holy war) which calls for the killing of infidels (remember, that's you). I didn't AT ALL say that they are all this way. I said there are "too many" in the current situation of war in the Middle East. Nobody here disrespected the many many many peaceful Muslims in the Middle East by acknowledging the state of war and conflict and the Islamofascists who want to kill on jihad.

Anyway...whew! Good luck paying off your debt.

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