travel nursing

I am currently a travel RN in the OR and I have to say it has it's "ups" and "downs." If you are doing it for the huge salaries and expense accounts, I'd say stay where you are. It's not a great deal of money but it can be lucrative if you know how to work it correctly. For instance, I negotiated a higher monthly stipend and I have a travel trailer so my monthly rent + electric is around $6-700 so I pocket about half my stipend after my trailer payment. If you can keep your expenses down you can pocket the rest. The better money comes by volunteering for extra shifts or call. My last contract I averaged about 10-15 hours extra a week and that made it worthwhile to be there. I figure, since I'm away from home anyway, it doesn't hurt to work a little extra and it makes your off time more fun because you have a little extra $$ to play. Good luck and let us know what and where you are when you decide!

I am considering travel nursing. I am so I can pay a few debts off and down. Currently, I make about $23.00/hr. All of the quotes for Travel Nursing $$ I see is 35- $41+ for OR nurses, and I have no idea about the stipends for housing...

You'll need to start hitting the search for housing sooner, than later. Housing is expensive in NoVA/DC/MD, regardless, but you'll need to be aware of where higher and lower crime areas are in those areas, too. Craigslist might net you a single room as opposed to a full blown apartment, too -- if that's an option. If you're bringing a car, you need to know where you'll be parking it (ie, if your place comes with parking that won't break the bank) and whether or not it's easier to take the Metro. If you could get by without a car (close distance to Metro, shopping, hospital) that might be worth looking into, as well. Where are you looking to work?