RV's anyone???

Specialties Travel

Published

Haven't traveled for almost 7 years. Am contemplating a return. Don't want to do the extensive move every thirteen weeks thing I did in 1990's and am thinking I want to purchase a "Toy Hauler" to bring my garage and toy's with me. I know the price of fuel will almost equal the cost of the vehicle per year but I just remember how much I hated to pack and unpack with every new assignment. I know some who travel with a suitcase, a plate, fork, spoon and some bed linens but I just can't. I even shipped my Kitchen stuff to Hawaii when I did that assignment. What's it like out there now?

Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

For me there have been only a few "downsides". You have to find your own spot. (the housing department with the Travel company doesn't know much about campgrounds or RV parks). You really have to plan your cold weather needs, not all RV's are set up for Cold weather and when you are using a "garden hose" to supply your water to the RV you have to either heat it or hope that you can survive with the onboard water supply until the next warm day when you can fill again.

Today I am sitting in a small state park in S.E. Iowa. With all the rain they have had everything is so green and lush. Cooked over an open fire last night and had the best burger baked beans ever. Just opened the can and set it on the grate. Looking for my next assignment have taken almost a month off. No rush vacating the apartment, finding somewhere to stay while looking and best of all NO PACKING AND UNPACKING. Am still trying to find the place for everything but one day everything I have will have it's place, or it can't go for the ride.

Rod

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Specializes in Critical Care.

My god, I could almost smell the campfire...sigh.....

So is it diffincult to find a spot? Are they usually really far from the hospital? I had looked on AAA and Good Sam sites, and there seems to be quite a few areas, but it is difficult to gauge how far/close things are. ALso-someone had mentioned difficulty finding a spot during peak seasons in certain areas-has anyone evr found that there is simply no where to stay? Do you just do the parking lot thing, or can you make reservations in some high demand areas?

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

I have not ever been unable to find a spot to park. In south Florida last year I had to pay for a spot for almost a month before arriving just to ensure I would have it. The difficulty now is not knowing where the next job will be. When I get an assignment then I have to check out if there is somewhere to park that is near the hospital. I am sure there are some who have used an RV longer than I who are more skilled at finding just the right spot. If I remember correctly there is one person who posted that they always stay in Mobile Home parks instead of an RV park. The rent is much less for the spot but you have to pay for your own electric. Sometimes that means paying a deposit and arranging for proper hook up wiring ( IE 30 or 50 amp breaker box). This summer is my first time not having a job before I left my other assignment. I was planning on taking a month off and waited until the last minute to start looking. Should have pushed my recruiter to find me a positon that would allow a month out. Do not like this waiting.

Rod

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Are you having a hard time finding asignments? Have they declined horribly?

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

I wouldn't say terrible, have only been submitted for a week and on the phone daily with my recuiters for the past 3 days. Have had only one that declined and I am not sure why. The rest I am just waiting to either get a call or for a number to call them.

Rod

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Good to hear-I would think with your significant experience finding an assignment would be no problem. I just hope ICU jobs are waiting for me!

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

When it rains, it pours. Spent a couple days thinking "Should I have taken so much time off, should I have just purchased that truck?" Then I started getting calls and offers. First one was a number to call in N.Dakota, I called early but didn't get a call back that day, later that afternoon a call from a nurse manager with a job offer. Was a really short interview and apparently they had made up their mind to offer the position from the Resume'. Asked for time to locate an RV spot before committing. Another call later in the evening, just for the interview and then a second offer following a short interview. Finally the N.Dakota manager called but it was after I had agreed to accept the first offered position. Start in Denver that last week of July for a 13 week assignment. Found a reasonable campground and now I just need to find somewhere for my 13 year old to hang out for the couple weeks before she goes back to school in Florida.

Rod

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Specializes in Critical Care.

AWESOME! Glad things are falling into place. As for us, still so many unknowns. We have been looking, and of course we have two Class As that look soooooo appealing....:uhoh3:

Can you give a hint as to what housing subsidies are running these days? I know it depends on location/state/etc...but I am trying to figure our finances. Also-it would seem the smart thing to do would be to lock in a housing subsidy and take a bit of a hit on hourly wage, yes? Just to guarantee the tax free housing allowance?

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

I am now homeless. One last glimpse of "home" before I sold it.

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The sun sets on my coach for the last time. My first motor home. The grand experiment is over. Learned lots of things. Made a few mistakes. All and all a great experience.

Sundown.jpg

I WILL be buying another one. I haven't lost the "bug". No bad experiences I just got an offer that was too good to pass up. In this flat economy I just decided that it was better to leave it here in Cali rather than to take it back to Georgia.

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EMERGENCYNRSE: I am in the process of buying a Motor Home and to start doing some "traveling nursing". If you have time, I would love to ask you a few questions about working in the ER, etc. Please email me at: [email protected]

Thanks, Jim

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Awwww! :crying2:

Would love to hear your experiences and learn from them (we signed on ours yesterday!!!). PM me for email address?

Good luck to you in whatever you do!:)

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

I wonder is anyone is still reading this? Last post to the topic in July. I only check it occasionally now. Will be heading South in a month. Have had a nice summer in Denver. Have found that I can go a very long time without sewer hook ups, so if I ever decide to go off the grid that part will be easy. I had concerns about the RV park where I decided to stay. They didn't offer constant sewer hookups and didn't offer the "honey wagon" service (like they do in Florida). I arrived in late July and have only had to move to dump once. Prudent use of the shower house and such and I won't have to dump again till time to leave. Otherwise I can report that for a single person this RV life isn't too bad. I always feel like I'm home because I didn't have to leave anything behind. Now if I can just find the little car to fit into the garage I will be fine.

Rod

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