Thinking about traveling again, but is now a good time with the economy?

[PICURN76]

So a little about me, been a nurse for 7 years now, 3.5 years in adult critical care end ED, and have spent the last 3.5 years in pediatric critical care in a level I peds trauma center.

the hospital i work at (and not going to list the hospitals name, since that's not the nature of this post) is not a place that apparently cares about it's nursing staff, benefits are not very good, and although i really love my coworkers who are amazing people, i just do not see a future there for me as far as career growth and potential.

i used to be a traveler in the adult world. did it for two and a half years. the reason i am thinking about traveling again is because i want to move somewhere new (i am in southern california now) maybe even within the same state, but have no idea where i want to end up. i'd also like to find a hospital to eventually go staff at, one with better benefits, better tuition assistance, etc. (like a hospital associated with a college or university that offers really good tuition assistance for graduate education). I'm finishing up my BSN online right now.

I am just concerned with the way the market is right now and the state of the economy. My hospital has actually had a hiring increase in the amount of travelers, and have been told that PICU travelers are sought after and are much harder to find in the travel world, making us a commodity. WIth that said, there are obviously way less PICU's compared to adult ICU's, so I am not sure how valid the statement is about PICU travel nurses being in such demand.

So is traveling in this current economy a bad idea? I am just worried about being cancelled often, having my contract cancelled, or not being able to find an assignment after I decide to commit and already start traveling again. I still have regularly kept in touch with my recruiter from when I used to travel. I've already had an offer from one facility, the going rate for pay (around $29/hr plus housing or a stipend) and also hospital parking paid for in the contract and a competition bonus for a 3 month contract, and double bonus for a 6 month contract.

Also, any one have any PICU travel experience in any Southern California hospitals (Los Angeles in particular), or any in Northern California that you'd recommend or would stay away from? Thanks!

[NedRN]

Have you discussed compensation with the travelers at your hospital? $29 plus housing is a bit low for your proven travel experience (although not in peds) and your current specialty. In general, Northern California should pay $5 to $7 an hour more for travelers than Southern California.

Staff pay in say the Bay area with your experience will be over $50 an hour plus full benefits. So really, you might try for a staff position at Lucille Packard, or Oakland Children's, or UCSF rather than a travel assignment. One thing to bear in mind in choosing is that there is no such thing as a permanent job! Travel assignments do have their benefits of course: less commitment to stay, no need to look for housing, no committees and politics (hospital or union).

But there are few travelers from California because the financials are difficult to justify. I do better than most travelers, and for me the decision is a wash to be a traveler or staff. But I get tempted once in a while by a staff position and many staff positions in California are held by former travelers from other states.

[Spoiled1, MSN, RN]

Great question! I am wondering the same thing about the economy and traveling. I would be a new critical care nurse traveler from NC. Looking to start out in CA and work my way back East. Hope to get more replies to this question.