Transportation/Boarding

bagladyrn, RN · Jan 11, 2008

Some travelers rent a car when they get to a new place, or take contracts in cities with good public transportation. Some even have their vehicle shipped, though this is expensive. I wouldn't necessarily rule out driving though - it can be an enjoyable part of traveling if you allow yourself sufficient time. I've just done a drive similar to what you are looking at - drove from FL to northern Nevada arriving here last week. I took 5 days to do the drive and didn't have to push hard at all, met a few of my friends for meals along the way, etc.

I always get my agency to arrange housing to save myself the trouble of searching, paying deposits, dealing with utilities, etc, but I have heard of travelers having good luck finding places on craigslist.

travelinjones · Jan 12, 2008

I'm half way through my first assignment. I drove out from Florida to California. An awesome trip. I enjoy having my car out here for day trips, and weekends out (Monterey, San Diego, Vegas! woo hoo!).

If I were in LA or SF, I wouldn't have made the drive.

I have been told by recruiters that if you drive out, and have a friend drive with you, they will buy a return ticket for your travel partner.

I took their housing, and am in a super nice apartment with no worries. I have heard of other travelers using Craig's list with great success out here in Cali, and maybe after more experience traveling, I may give that a try too.

Enjoy getting your feet wet, and best of luck on your assignment, and your contract!

amy0123, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2008

Check out craigslist.org in your area, or check the classifieds, become roommates with another nurse or student or take a monthly lease that is within walking distance to the hospital. Walking is healthy.

travelnurse229 · Jan 12, 2008

The purpose of the housing money is to help pay for housing on your assignments. If you are lucky enough to have someone to stay with then God Bless because you'll make out very well. If you don't have a place to stay then a good recruiter should assist you in finding a place to stay close to your facility. Just because you are not taking your company's housing doesn't mean they shouldn't help you find affordable and convenient housing.

kdblueey · Jan 12, 2008

Hey everyone,
I have a question--when you take an assignment what do you use as a form of transportation if you don't drive your car??? And i have heard of nurses taking a housing stipend but where do they live if they have no friends or family in that area??
I plan on doing my first assignment soon in California and I am coming from Florida--so i do not intend on driving my car. Not too many companies provide transportation. This one company I know does so I want all the bells and whistles for my first assignment ever.
For the housing--the subsidy is great but if you don't have a place to go where do you go?? Do you look in the classifieds and look for a spot?
I may want to do that in the future if it is Highly recommended.
I am ready to get out there and travel and learn more about myself as well as how other facilities do things!!:innerconf

Most travel companies offer a rental car, at some expense to you. Check with your travel company. Or you can fly, like some nurses do. It's up to you what you want in your travel 'package'. But keep in mind (from what I'm learning) is this: the more you want for your assignment (your bells/whistles), it will affect your hourly rate/and your take home pay.

As far as the housing stipend, you have to find your own apartment. I think it is much easier to have the travel company find housing for you. Depending on where you go, most travel companies are familiar with certain apartment complexes, as well as furniture packages. The 'housing' department within your travel company is trained to find the best housing available. They also check out the crime rates, etc. Keep in mind, you probably won't like evey single apartment that you are placed in. There is something bad about every complex.

Bottom line: You have to decide exactly what is important to you. If you want the bells & whistles, go for it. But you might not bring home as much in the long run.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf;)

kdblueey · Jan 12, 2008

I'm half way through my first assignment. I drove out from Florida to California. An awesome trip. I enjoy having my car out here for day trips, and weekends out (Monterey, San Diego, Vegas! woo hoo!).
If I were in LA or SF, I wouldn't have made the drive.
I have been told by recruiters that if you drive out, and have a friend drive with you, they will buy a return ticket for your travel partner.
I took their housing, and am in a super nice apartment with no worries. I have heard of other travelers using Craig's list with great success out here in Cali, and maybe after more experience traveling, I may give that a try too.
Enjoy getting your feet wet, and best of luck on your assignment, and your contract!

I'm on my first assignment too, but in Amarillo, Texas. It wasn't my first choice, but since I needed to start work ASAP, and they were the first to call for an interview, I took the assignment. I drove myself (and my cat Laycee), from Ohio to Texas (1400 miles). The only time I have ever driven in my entire life, was my first travel assignment in 2000 (from Ohio to Florida). I think at that time in my life, I was too nervous to enjoy the trip. Now, I'm not saying I wasn't nervous this time. I was, since I heard that traveling with cats wasn't all that fun. But I have learned to look out of my window and enjoy the new landscape, roads, etc.,

I plan on going to CA next. What area of CA are you in and with what hospital? Do you like where your at? Any thoughts/suggestions for my next trip to CA, would be appreciated. Thanks.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf

travelinjones · Jan 13, 2008

Keeping in mind my travel nursing experience is very limited (1/2 of one assignment so far!) I am blessed so far with a traveler friendly hospital and unit. I am working at Saddleback Memorial in Laguna on the tele unit. The ratios are 4:1, and they have not cut back ancillary staff. We have a free charge nurse, a resource nurse, monitor tech/huc, our pct's have 6-8 patients each on nights. The charting system is Epic. The docs have remote access to all of their patients and can review charts and click off their orders from a menu on the computer! You do get a few phone orders still, but there isn't any trying to translate the docs handwriting...I just love that part! Coming from Florida, and a non-magnet hospital, I feel I have been traumatized by brutal ratios and unrealistic expectations!

My housing is quite nice. Furnished one bedroom. It seems wrong to complain but I have cathedral ceilings and several accessory windows that brighten the place...what a whiner huh! I work nights, so easily fixed with a sleep mask. Problem solved! Very nice, safe area. Look up cities by googling their name and 'city data'. You can get a comprehensive profile.

amy0123, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

Wow you're so fortunate. I like your situation.