Travel Nursing is it as good as it seems

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Hello all travel nurses, I have a bunch of questions regarding travel nursing and I am seeking some answers from those who have had travel nursing experiences.

I am an Operating room rn in minnesota and am tired of traveling 120 round trip a day to work and figure it would be best if I am traveling every day to take advantage of traveling since I am already doing it but not reaping the so called rewards of travel nursing.

I am seeking to stay relatively close to home so that I can travel back and forth or stay for a day or two away from home and then come home. Can someone tell me are there opportunities to work as an operating room nurse in minnesota?

Also what is the best travel company out there that would be able to keep me working and offer the best pay? There are so many companies out there and it is very confusing as to what ones are the best.

Any information would be helpful.

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If you want to work local, you may find that union wages and benefits exceed travel compensation. Unless you come from the South or low paying areas of the Midwest, you don't travel for money, but for the lifestyle.

Yes, there are OR travel assignments in Minnesota.

The best travel company for you is best determined by talking to them directly. It is confusing, but there will be daylight after a number of conversations, just as with any other relationship in your life. There are hundreds of agencies, and each one has travelers that think theirs is the best one. The quality of communication and trust with your recruiter is far more important than the agency brand.

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My understanding is OR nurses are a highly prized speciality for travel agencies.

Usually, a commute of 50 miles is considered "traveling".

It can be confusing.. but you really need to do your own research.

I would pick 3 agencies, speak with the recruiters and see what each one offers.

Good luck , keep us posted.

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Specializes in critical care.

In all my contracts to be travel I had to be over 300 miles from home. It had to be a distance that was not feasible for a daily commute. Anything under that they would give me mileage and gas but it was a big difference from my travel contracts. OR is very in demand and pays high. As far as agencies, they are only as good as your recruiter. If it isnt in writing either in your contract or in an email, it isnt going to happen. Recruiters will tell you anything to get you to take an assignment. I only communicate via text and email so I have proof. My really good experiences lately have been with Supplemental and TravelMax because of the awesome recruiters.

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Specializes in ICU, and IR.

Just out of curiosity why are you wanting to stay near home? I thought I wanted that too in the beginning but once I started doing it I realized it was just stuff at home and I was making enough for my wife to retire so that is what we did.

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It's not travel nursing if you're sleeping in your own bed at night. You wouldn't be entitled to any tax free stipends. Financially there's no difference. You'd just be a non-staff nurse commuting 120 minutes round trip everyday.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I "travel" locally. I don't get tax free money because I live at my home. You can ONLY get tax free money if you are maintaining two residences because you are so far away that you can't live at home. There is no IRS rule about a certain number of miles.

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Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

Genuine question - why 'travel' at all if you are staying local? Pay? Flexibility? I'm very curious about all the ups and downs of travel nursing at the moment.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Genuine question - why 'travel' at all if you are staying local? Pay? Flexibility? I'm very curious about all the ups and downs of travel nursing at the moment.

Pros:

Flexible/non-committal. I like knowing I can leave when I want (technically you can resign anyway, I know). I like being a "free agent".

I don't get asked to be in charge or serve on a committee.

I don't have to attend staff meetings.

I DONT HAVE TO WORK NIGHT SHIFT! (big one for me! This is the main reason that I haven't gone staff.)

I like the pay model of straight hourly pay and the choosing my own private health insurance and retirement savings plan. Some agencies offer those things, though.

If your contract is cancelled, you can usually find another. (Although you might have to move.)

Vacation requests can be easier. I sign contracts every 3-6 months and can negotiate any time I require off with each new contract. I didn't work any holidays for a full year, and when I work them now, its because I want the extra pay. I recently took 3 weeks off, and plan to take another 3 weeks off in a couple of months. Couldn't have done that as a staff nurse.

Cons:

No PTO.

No employer matched 401k or employer health insurance. (Some do.)

Little opportunity for promotion.

First to be floated.

Some staff nurses treat you badly because "you make the big bucks" when really your pay packages aren't that different in total value.

Not a lot of job security. Contract can be canceled pretty much without warning.

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