Travel nursing

cooliegirl · May 17, 2008

i currently work at a travel staffing agency, comppleting my BSN.

positives are: good pay rate (the north offers higher rates than south)

free fully furnished housing (electric,water,cable) all inclusive.

you get to explore a different part of the U.S enjoying what you do best.

my company requires "2 yrs current hospital experience in specialty"

negatives: make sure you read the CONTRACT CAREFULLY before you sign; because they will sue you for unworked hours if you dont complete the assignment hours. or if you "walked" the assignment

sometimes they put you in apartments not in the best taste".

hobo nurse · May 19, 2008

In response to your question re: travel nursing. Advantages I think are higher rate of pay, the ability to travel to differ areas, usually nice housing, and if you don't like the assignment it is only for 13 weeks. I also like that you not affected by hospital politics and those mandatory commitees, etc. But after traveling now for approx 6 yrs I find that it harder to find a good company and more importantly a good recruiter. It's becoming more of a cut throat industry with the travel companies, and there are some companies out there who just shouldn't be in the industry. For instance, I accepted a contract with a NE hospital, took all the online testing on my own time and all the travelers were cancelled the week before the start date. It was another 2 weeks before I could start another contract, therefore I was out of work for 4 weeks. Yeah, Christmas was only 1 month before and I had used alot of my savings from my last assignment for the holidays and to live on. Be wary of the companies with high pay rates and the tax advantage program. I was placed in apartment and quoted an housing rate which was not in writing and the last week was charged double the rate on my last check. No Explaination received after calling my company and no, the apt manager denied any damage or cleaning promblems with apartment. After other issues that lead me to believe that I might not be allowed to start my next assignment, told I had to do 14 online course on hospital website, that I now found out is no longer on their educational website, hospital is now doing in their orientation. By golly, my company insisted I had to do it while moving out and traveling across country or I may be allowed to start, but hey I could stay in a hotel at my own expense until it was addressed. I cancelled the contract, I was not willing to work with a company that I did not trust any longer or who use intimadation tatics. Well, I lost my whole last week of pay for cancelling inspite of losing a potential 4 weeks of pay because a previous contract was cancelled by a hospital. So, I recommend that if you need the steady income, make sure that you have savings to get you thru the dry spots. Anyone traveling should also carry their own disability insurance. I shattered a bone and was without income for 6 months , luckily I had savings. But I done a hell hole assignment for 26 weeks prior to save money and AFLAC or something would have protected my savings. Also I not sure but I was told if anything ever happens and you have to file for disability, the government will base your benefits on the reported taxable income, which would be a promblem with some tax advantage programs. I haven't had time to fully explore that thought, so I'm not really sure. I recommend that you keep an prn or agency contact in your hometown to also offset any dry spots or any time you need to take time off for personal reasons. Get everything in writing, feel comfortable with your recruiter and make sure you understand and accept your contract before signing. Doing your own housing can be alot of work, so make sure you don't mind the time it can involve. Sorry if this seems overtly negative, I just hate it when I see young or new travel nurses not fully informed and are upset when surprises arise. If all works well, traveling is alot of fun. Good Luck.