Travel Nursing

[fisdrunner1]

I am so confused right now on what to do. I've always wanted to travel as an operating room nurse but don't know where to start. I currently need input on the pros and cons of a travel nurse. I currently work at SAMMC and have this great job but ultimately feel like i need to see the world but just nervous to take that first leap. Questions on what agencies to go thru, housing how does it work with travel agency, getting compensated for travel between assignments? what if my contract gets canceled while in route to location.

[WhoDatWhoDare, BSN, RN]

I haven't traveled, but don't most travelers work through an agency? I would think they would have a list of all the available travel assignments and can tell you what hospitals in Austin are looking for someone.

[NedRN]

I would recommend lurking in the travel nurse forum on AllNurses. All those questions are common! Briefly, you want to talk to a lot of agencies and pick several of the best to work further with. The best ones are the ones with recruiters you communicate well with and trust. In the process of doing this, most of your questions will be answered fully. Other ones you can try out on the travel nurse forum.

I would also recommend PanTravelers for further reading about travel contracts, risks, and legalities. In short, travelers get paid only for hours they work (and that includes housing - if housing is paid by agency and you don't meet contracted hours, you will effectively pay back the agency for housing with missed hour penalities). You don't get paid if you are sick either. If your contract is cancelled on the way to the assignment, you certainly have the right to sue the agency for your entire contract depending on how it is worded. The reality is that you probably won't and it depends entirely on the agency on how well you are treated. In fact, something like this is really the only way you can test the mettle of an agency.

I've been traveling in the OR for almost 20 years and yes, I have been cancelled. But it has been great, and even with cancellations I'm way ahead financially.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thread moved to Travel Nursing forum. Good luck OP.