Started traveling July 08 -- Reflections and TIPS fon becoming a travel nurse

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So, somehow I actually quit my job, drove 2700 miles and started a life as a traveler. I wanted to share some of my experience since it is a big change.

I am from Georiga and this July i packed up my dogs and everything I thought I would need into my little hatchback and traveled to California for my first travel assignment. With the right planning and the right state of mind -- this can be such an adventure. If you are not the independent/adventure type this might be a hard transition.

I got lucky in the my assignment. The people nice, the job it easier than my last job (much easier), the money is fabulous and they are respectful of travelers. I am renewing for another 13 weeks.

It will be hard to one day go back to less money and more work when I get back to the South. California may call me its own for a little while.

Tips to make it as a traveler

1) Keep copies of everything -- time cards, certification, everything, paychecks

2) A laptop is pretty essential and useful

3) YES you can travel with dogs, even TWO dogs

4) Everything is negotiable. don't be pressured into any job. dont sign anything till you feel comfortable. Also when you are negotiating PAUSING in mid-sentence or having a long pause before you answer a question about what you require goes a long way

5) Get a recruiter you feel you can trust (though you never know).

6) check your ime cards and checks to make sure they balence.

7) Pack lightly. Use goodwill for kitchen items. Dont pack glass -- get plastic plates, etc.

8) request a TV. Say you have to have to have one. There is really no need to carry a heavy tv across the country.

9) Say you NEED a washer and dryer. If they say you will have to pay for it -- tell them most travel agencies do not make you pay.

10) Your going to feel stupid the first week of any new assignment, this seems to pass.

11) Be prepared to not take sick time. You dont get paid for it and it looks really bad to the agency and the hospital. Travelers are kind of considered work horses (but we get paid for that) and it is totally worth it. You can afford days off between assignments with most travel jobs because they pay so well.

12) When you are offered a job -- sleep on it -- take time to consider what else you might request/need. Make sure its the right job.

13) buy travel books for where you are going

14) Consult Yelp.com to check out local eateries and services.

15) Consult a travel tax cpa who understands what you are going to do and can deal with the complexity of your new situation (and probably new tax bracket). There are places that offer free seminars that are very helpful. Ask me privately for that info if interested.

16) beware of Tax Advantage. Sometimes it can be used to just help the company and can hurt you in the end.

17) Preserve you tax home (saves lots of money) if you plan to return.

18) Have a postive attitude and enjoy!

19) Once you put your name out there looking for an agency you will get 10 calls a day -- many of these places are not totally professional. Really drill the people calling, research the companies, dont let them have control. THEY NEED YOU MUCH MORE THAN YOU NEED THEM. Remember your recruiter is NOT your friend. They are a sales person and you can have a very good symbiotic relationship -- but remember it is business.

20) Stay connected with your friends back home by buying a nice blow up bed and offering them a place to vacation for free ;)

21) Dont think you have to take the first housing placement they offer. Is it close to your job? What is traffic like? Are utilites paid (my company pays ALL utilities, some only pay the first $100). Do you need a 2 bedroom? If you have a child I have heard of companies offering a 2 bedroom at no cost.

22) Remember that bonuses are taxed as bonues you will only see like 60% of that money. Instead, companies sometiems offer more for travel expenses or other expenses which is not taxable.

23) You can deducted an amazing amount of things from your taxes (if you are not with tax advantage). I am not expert, but hire one! You will need that come tax time to bring your net income down.

24) Some of your best resources are other travelers. they can tell you what hospitals, recruiters, cities to stay away from or to accept from. But remember not everyones path is the same == make a decision that is right for YOU.

25) research, research, research -- google the facility, ask others, etc.

I hope this helps. If you have questions I may be able to help. I am still enw to this and learning but boy have I learned alot!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Enjoyed reading your advice. Good job laying it all out. So how is that travel assignment in Cali going?

Gary and I would like to hit Cali, but for now we need to head back South until after April due to family obligations.

Currently we are in Sioux Falls, S.D. and have enjoyed it. Just getting out, next week, before the weather turns really cold. You know us Southern folks can't take the bitter cold.

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Specializes in med/surg/trauma and surgical stepdown.

Hello,

I see that you are senior member and I need some senior advice. I have never traveled before. But, I am in the process of doing so. My recruiter has kinda killed my hopes. I wanted to travel out of state. I do have mortgage obligations at home. However, I was under the impression that I could still travel, make enough money to pay all my current bills plus have more to spend. He offered me a job approx. 2 hours away from house in a small town. Which means that I will a stipend of 410 per week for housing, and he said that I will be recieving approximately 815 a week after taxes, and he will include 500 for travel expenses for the entire assignment. So, I would have to say in hotel while I am in the town and travel back forth.

I do not know what to think of this. Please help me understand.

Thanks.

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THANK YOU!!!

I've been interested in travel nursing for about 4 years now, and having someone provide tips like this is really helpful.

THANKS!!!!! :D

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.
Hello,

I see that you are senior member and I need some senior advice. I have never traveled before. But, I am in the process of doing so. My recruiter has kinda killed my hopes. I wanted to travel out of state. I do have mortgage obligations at home. However, I was under the impression that I could still travel, make enough money to pay all my current bills plus have more to spend. He offered me a job approx. 2 hours away from house in a small town. Which means that I will a stipend of 410 per week for housing, and he said that I will be recieving approximately 815 a week after taxes, and he will include 500 for travel expenses for the entire assignment. So, I would have to say in hotel while I am in the town and travel back forth.

I do not know what to think of this. Please help me understand.

Thanks.

Please find yourself another company. For your area you should not get less than $30.00/hr PLUS either paid housing or a housing stipend. Since you will maintain a tax residence, you are also entitled (if you choose) to get a portion of the hourly wage tax free (tax advantage). As a minimum, you should be taking home at least $1000.00 per week for a 36 hour week if you take the company paid housing and tax advantage.

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Specializes in Hospice.
Please find yourself another company. For your area you should not get less than $30.00/hr PLUS either paid housing or a housing stipend. Since you will maintain a tax residence, you are also entitled (if you choose) to get a portion of the hourly wage tax free (tax advantage). As a minimum, you should be taking home at least $1000.00 per week for a 36 hour week if you take the company paid housing and tax advantage.

I totally agree, find another company. We also have a mortgage and all of our bills. I pay 98% of our bills online. At this point our youngest lives in our home and pays the electric, but we pay the mortgage and insurance. As far as out other bills, we make enough to pay everything plus put away to savings and do what we like while on the road.

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Has anyone ever traveled with their family?

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/Oncology/CSU/Managed Care/ Case Management.

Fabulous advice from everyone!!! I have been thinking about traveling for a very very long time. The only thing that stops me is fear. I have been an RN for 7 yrs with 3 yrs of ICU experience and currently working in a CCU unit and CSU unit taking care of the chronic open hearts post op day 1-2.

My fear is having to bothef former employees for references and not letting my current employee know that I am thinking about leaving. I have only been here for 9months.

I would like to go to dallas,tx for the winter and then go to viriginia for the spring. I am from Florida.

I am not sure what to do. i am making $5 less at this current job from my previous job but I am learning ALOT more....

Any advice??

I do have 2 agencies that already have my reference on file so I dont have to bother anyone with reference calls. Is there any way to get out of bombarding someone with refernece calls???

Thanks in advance

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