Travel Nurses!!! I Need Your Help!!

Published

I just started a new job a couple of months ago - and I really do like it, but I have also been interested in doing some travel nursing. I am married and have a family - I would like to stay in surrounding hospitals (There are approx 4 in 60 mile range and 3 more big hospitals in 90 mile range from my home). Moving is not an option. Do you have to choose a travel company that includes the hospitals of your choice? Do you get to choose the hospitals? I live in the Midwest - is there a company someone recommends? I am totally in the dark here so any information would be extremely helpful. I SO appreciate this forum for all the info and help it gives - will be looking forward to advice... :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also live in the show-me- state. I have never done travel nursing but I do know that in the kc area we have some st. joseph nurses that travel to our hospital all the time. I don't know the agency they work for though. I will look into it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

some agencies will not pay travel expenses or free housing stipends if you live within a 50 mile radius of the hospital you are traveling to. I found this out when I tried to get a job close to home. If you live in a big area, that is great. I hate driving an hour to work each day. I came here to AZ from IL to travel, stayed and am selling my home back in IL and relocating here. My son loves it here, I hate it here. Jobs are easy to get, but the hospitals are so huge that it is like an assembly line here. Get em in, get em out. I also am not use to "spanish" speaking only clientelle. Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in er/icu/neuro/trauma/pacu.

research your travel companies! There are good ones, bad ones, and great ones! Read posts here about differant companies. Be sure you want a travel job vs an agency job. Travel is usually a contract for 13 weeks, where agency can give you a contract but is usually is on a per diem basis.

If you take free housing money and do not actually stay somewhere away from home-it is illegal, commonly done, but illegal according to the IRS.

In other words, spend a couple nights near the facility while working and go home on time off is ok, taking the money and staying at Aunt Mabel's is ok, but taking the money and driving back and forth every day is cheating, you should declare the housingf money, and then expenses if allowable.

Sorry-don't mean to lecture, I traveled for over 10 years with my family. I have a friend who was audited by IRS---ugly!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
research your travel companies! There are good ones, bad ones, and great ones! Read posts here about differant companies. Be sure you want a travel job vs an agency job. Travel is usually a contract for 13 weeks, where agency can give you a contract but is usually is on a per diem basis.

If you take free housing money and do not actually stay somewhere away from home-it is illegal, commonly done, but illegal according to the IRS.

In other words, spend a couple nights near the facility while working and go home on time off is ok, taking the money and staying at Aunt Mabel's is ok, but taking the money and driving back and forth every day is cheating, you should declare the housingf money, and then expenses if allowable.

Sorry-don't mean to lecture, I traveled for over 10 years with my family. I have a friend who was audited by IRS---ugly!!!

Wouldn't dare dream of it!!!! I would like to just stay at home if poss. I will continue to check threads regarding different agencies, any more info anyone can suggest would be helpful. Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion