Travel nursing agencies

NurseMikki · Feb 15, 2004

I've been travelling for the past 3 1/2 yrs now, and no need to worry. Pretty much any agency will be able to get you an assignment and housing with pets. I began travelling with one dog and have worked my way up to two. Happy travels!

BarbPick · Feb 15, 2004

I read from a travel nurse's site that Motel 6 allows you to bring pets.

NurseMikki · Feb 15, 2004

Motel 6, most Red Roof Inns, La Quinta Inn, and I beleive some Holiday Inn locations all allow pets.

Ebeza · Feb 15, 2004

Hey Miki, thanks for the input. From the sound of the other replies it looks like most travel agencies use hotels to put us up. Any hope of getting a small apt or house if I stay 3 mos? I'm just going to start approaching agency's to see what they offer, thanks much for all of your help--

E.

NurseMikki · Feb 17, 2004

I'm not sure what company you're looking to travel with, but I've worked for three different ones and I've never been put up in a hotel. Pretty much all the companies put you in apts or a few I've heard of place their nurses in those extended stay places.

psychonurse · Feb 17, 2004

When I traveled, back in the olden days 1986-1988 they put us up in apartment complexes...you could have a room alone or with another traveler and now you can take your family or significant other with you if you want to....things are definately changing for the better when it comes to traveling nursing.....

m_kae_s · Apr 30, 2004

hi, i have traveled with a company removed for advertising and they allow pets. you just tell them that you have pets when you apply and they will find you housing that allows pets.

Ebeza · May 1, 2004

Hi M Kae: Where did you travel to? I'm getting ready to find a good company to work for after I take some time off this summer. I'm interested in Anchorage or Ca, would like to hear what you think of your travel co and any things I need to be aware of before signing up. Thanks for your help--

ratchit · May 1, 2004

Hi, wanted some input on good travel agencies that allow you to bring your dog (my constant companion). I'm planning on doing some traveling this fall after I have one year experience. Which specialities are favored by travel agencies--I want to work in the ER, in Alaska, Montana, California or Utah (yeah I know tall list-- yeeha!) Thanks for your help-- :rotfl:

Most 13 week contracts will come with an apartment for housing. Sometimes it is an extended stay hotel but typically it's an apartment. Some areas have more available housing than others, though, especially when it comes to pets.

Contracts that are shorter than 13 weeks will often have extended stays as the housing because it's hard to get an apartment complex to write a lease for less than that.

Some areas just don't have much available for housing and hotels are used. No matter what, you should have an idea of what the housing will be before you sign the contract. The company isn't going to want to sign a lease and fork over money for an apartment until after you sign the contract, so it's unlikely that you'll have an actual address, but the company should be able to tell you if it's going to be a hotel or an apartment. Companies often deal with the same complexes over and over so they should be able to give you "typical" housing info. You can look these complexes up online and get some details.

It is very important to let your recruiter know about your pets very early on so plans can be made. Your company should pay all your housing deposits except for your pet deposit. One traveler on another board avoids expensive pet deposits by always getting her housing in complexes that allow pets but not mentioning her pets to the complex. That can be risky- some complexes will toss you out if you have undeclared pets.

You might want to check into companies now- a lot of hospitals and agencies require 2 years experience for specialty areas like ICU, OR, and ER.

Ebeza · May 14, 2004

Dear Ratchit:

Thanks for the input on housing, I acutally already got a good offer with "private housing" for an agency that will let me bring my dog. I was thinking now of "travellin'" in Northern California because I love the mountains and may see about doing some ranch work while I have time (I'm an ex-stable hand) jonesing for some outdoor equine activities. Anyway, if anyone could reccommend any states where there are ranches nearby I'd be much obliged. I was thinking Ca might be a good choice since the nurse/pt ratio is low and the compensation is high (higher than most). I'm making bank right now at a New York City hospital but ready to get off the merry-go-round. any input from other travellers would be appreciated (It's just me and my dog hitting the road) I prefer the country but come from the city. Lived already in Ak, Az, Or, Ca and Pa. and would ove to revisit these areas. Thanks for your help!

ratchit · May 16, 2004

Shared housing was the standard many years ago. A couple companies still do not provide it for free. Most do- private housing is the standard now. Any company should be able to get you housing with your dog so don't let this company trick you into thinking that they are doing you a favor. You have lots of options with or without a pet.

BTW, nothing is ever really "free." Hospitals pay the company a certain amount per hour for the nurse. Out of that money, the company keeps a chunk for overhead, your benefits, their expenses (like your housing), and their profit, and then pays you the rest as salary. So in theory, a company that only provides shared housing for free should be able to pay you a higher salary. My personal experience is that the companies that charge for private housing are the lowest paying ones out there, however...

I travelled for years and am now working on the corporate side at a travel agency so I've seen it from both sides. I'd be happy to answer any questions I can. Just PM me- I don't want anyone to think I'm recruiting on the board. I wouldn't have anything for you in the type of area you're looking for so I couldn't be recruiting you, but I dont' want to give the wrong impression. :)

You might investigate a contract in Reno, NV. There are several hospitals there and at least one always has lots of traveler needs and the salaries are good. Several companies have that contract so look around. Lots of outdoorsy things to do in the area, and there's at least one ranch nearby. (Might not be the kind you're looking for, though- LOL.) Redding, CA is also usually looking for travelers- not sure how horsey the area is.