Travel Nursing. ....Hopefully soon

[NENE RN]

I am interested travel nursing . I'm hoping to start in March or April 2013. I have been looking at PNS , cross country ,and Talemed. I would like to go to you North Carolina, Arizona, Alaska, or Florida. At that time I will have about 18 months of experience in Med-surg/neuro. I would like to get opinions if anyone has work for any of companies. Opinions for first time travelers of these companies . Does travel have down periods? Some companies say that they will fly you out to your assignment. Is this true? I have also read that you need to have some money saved prior to leaving on your sign up because some cost are fronted by you? One of the places that is listed with assignments is IHS. Any comments or advice are appreciated.

[NENE RN]

Sorry about the double post

[NedRN]

Of course travel nursing has downturns like every business. We lost 50 percent of travelers during 2009. Med surg can be particularly problematic - specialties also have their ups and downs. You might have to start with IHS to get a couple assignments under your belt - then your resume will be more competitive.

Other than strikes, it is rare for flights to be arranged and paid by the travel company. Alaska is sometimes the exception, but not Hawaii interestingly (lower bill rates in Hawaii than Alaska). You can fly to any assignment if you wish. The typical max travel reimbursement per assignment (both ways) is $500 to $800 tax free. Less if you are close to the assignment. A common arrangement is that you will get half of that reimbursement on your second check so yes, you have to front the money. No one is going to hand you money without some work being done so they have some money coming in.

[meandragonbrett]

Just remember that money you get in one form is money you don't get in another way....more money spent on travel means they will be less willing to spend on housing, etc.

Ask questions here. Ned is a great source of information and there are some others of us.

I don't have experience with those companies specifically but always work with more than one recruiter. AMN Healthcare is not the most liked company but sometimes can be good for first time travelers as they have a LOT of jobs.

Don't sign the contract until you've read it and read it again. Make sure EVERYTHING is spelled out in your contract and that nothing is vague. Your shift should be laid out. "!2 hour days" or "10 hour nights" Not "As discussed" Days you've asked off from the manager prior to arrival should be in your contract, etc. Anything your recruiter tells you that they are going to do or get for you...cash, days off, extras, etc. had better be in that contract or you can FORGET it happening. If it's not in the contract you may as well not waste your time.

What other questions do you have?

[bahamagirlrn, BSN, MSN, RN]

Of course travel nursing has downturns like every business. We lost 50 percent of travelers during 2009. Med surg can be particularly problematic - specialties also have their ups and downs. You might have to start with IHS to get a couple assignments under your belt - then your resume will be more competitive.

Other than strikes, it is rare for flights to be arranged and paid by the travel company. Alaska is sometimes the exception, but not Hawaii interestingly (lower bill rates in Hawaii than Alaska). You can fly to any assignment if you wish. The typical max travel reimbursement per assignment (both ways) is $500 to $800 tax free. Less if you are close to the assignment. A common arrangement is that you will get half of that reimbursement on your second check so yes, you have to front the money. No one is going to hand you money without some work being done so they have some money coming in.

I was included in the 50% of travelers affected in 2009. I traveled from 2006-2009, and after I could not find a job, I went back to school to work on my BSN. I was able to find a job at a dialysis clinic and now I am ready to travel again. I am really excited about traveling again.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

What exactly happened in 2009?

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[BD-RN, BSN, RN]

Economic downturn: hospitals were also effected. That's the same year hospitals stopped hiring new grads completely even when they were understaffed. That was the year nurses lost their retirement plans and went back to work; the year the housing market crumbled in California.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

That's interesting. It's the same year I started my prereqs. Luckily I wasn't too aware of all that or else I would have rethought the whole nursing thing. I was fortunate enough to get a job right after graduation, I really did not want to be a bad new grad statistic.

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