Travel Nursing: The good, the bad, and why I probably will never do again-Part 1

Thank you very much!

The car was paid for and it ran fine. The engine wasn't the issue and it got fabulous mileage. And I do have a new one. I do appreciate what you asked though.

Have Nurse, just use the quote button when you respond to anyone. That way we'll know to whom you're responding. I don't know why this would ruffle feathers. You haven't criticized anyone or said anything controversial. I'm enjoying reading your personal experience of that time in your life, crappy car and all.

Thanks for the education on the quote button. My apologies. I was responding to those who were being a bit snarky regarding the first chapter. For some reason I thought that when I hit the reply button, that it would load under what they had said. I'll get the hang of this. Just an old war horse, that's me! (grin)

As a fellow traveler, I can weigh in a bit here...It's not that the story is fiction (it is ******* hilarious tho!) it's just that it does feel like the request and deadlines that are put on you when you decide to say "yes" to a new assignment can make you feel as though you've been run over by a truck. Keep in mind that you have plenty of time available while your agent is searching for your next assignment, to send in any new or expired items. However if Have Nurse is anything like me she's been keeping her recruiters and HR up to date with any new certs licenses, etc. as they come in.. But for some reason.. It all seems to be misplaced or never received once you are about to start something new and usually you have 48 hours to send it ALL in again. Not to mention the drug screen place that you have 1 hour to get to once you say yes ha! But i digress.. All in all it's not for everybody.. You just have to have your stuff organized and ready to send in again with each and every assignment.. Just saying

I am glad you enjoyed my humor! (chuckle)

Your story just makes me shake my head. From the old, broke down car, to not knowing how to use the internet, to driving to ask your preacher (of all people) to use his fax...I don't know if this is some weird attempt at travel nurse satire, or just a straight up lie. The whole thing with faxing this and faxing that is nauseating...can you not just email all your forms to your agent and call it a day? I have been traveling for a year now and NEVER had to fax anything...EVER! It's usually upload, email, text, go take a drug test, then head out for my next gig. Simple!

I really hope your story doesn't turn people off to the traveling world. Because it is nowhere even close to how you described it.

It sounds like an interesting experience! I can't wait to read the rest!

I love this! You are an awesome writer. Looking forward to reading the rest :)

I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated getting to travel along with you on this journey! Writing is such a tough thing as when our fingers find the keyboard often our hearts are attached as well. I celebrate anyone brave enough to do it.

I loved your description of the country and the people. As to your technology situation, I too live in a very remote area in which we just got wifi about a year ago and hotspots do not work! What a luxury to now be able to get online whenever I want!

I read your part two, first and then found your first installment. I'd like to read the rest but I'm assuming you've not posted them yet?

Thank you again for taking the time to share your story with your fellow nurses.

Blessings to you!

JSM7

Edited Mar 27, 2018 by JS McCabe, RN
Typo :-)

Your story just makes me shake my head. From the old, broke down car, to not knowing how to use the internet, to driving to ask your preacher (of all people) to use his fax...I don't know if this is some weird attempt at travel nurse satire, or just a straight up lie. The whole thing with faxing this and faxing that is nauseating...can you not just email all your forms to your agent and call it a day? I have been traveling for a year now and NEVER had to fax anything...EVER! It's usually upload, email, text, go take a drug test, then head out for my next gig. Simple!

I really hope your story doesn't turn people off to the traveling world. Because it is nowhere even close to how you described it.

No, it isn't a lie. And no where have I not been competent in using the internet. And as I was in the country between towns at the time I needed the FAX, calling my Pastor was not only appropriate, he would have insisted on it. The terrain where I was made it very difficult for good internet access, which is one reason why I chose not to purchase it where I lived. My neighbors often complained that they had trouble keeping a connection in Waukesha. Life was a different pace there in 2014-2015 in my area. I have to smile when I read some of these arrogant assumptions that some of the readers make. I could almost accuse them of ethnocentricity. Still, my experience was unique. And if you are able to stay with me on the journey, you can see and hopefully understand why I feel the way that I do. It is for your entertainment and hopefully a bit of insight that you might not see very often. Still I hope you can enjoy it. And you really aren't being truthful with yourself or others when you imply that "traveling" is all roses. It isn't. And if the part of the story regarding faxing "nauseates you," I suggest you eat a soda cracker and not read it any further. LOL

There are good assignments out there I am sure. And it also depends on the character of the company for whom you are employed. It is not my desire to discourage anyone. But I live in the real world, and have for over 60 years. And I have learned that not all companies are wonderful, nor are they all honest. This is a story of why I won't do it again. You can do what you want.

Thanks for writing! And happy travels!

I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated getting to travel along with you on this journey! Writing is such a tough thing as when our fingers find the keyboard often our hearts are attached as well. I celebrate anyone brave enough to do it.

I loved your description of the country and the people. As to your technology situation, I too live in a very remote area in which we just got wifi about a year ago and hotspots do not work! What a luxury to now be able to get online whenever I want!

I read your part two, first and then found your first installment. I'd like to read the rest but I'm assuming you've not posted them yet?

Thank you again for taking the time to share your story with your fellow nurses.

Blessings to you!

JSM7

Many thanks for your kind remarks and understanding. I appreciate it. Blessings to you as well.

Many thanks for your kind remarks and understanding. I appreciate it. Blessings to you as well.

I have been uploading them weekly, as it takes time for the team to go over them first. Some chapters are shorter than others, so you might see 3 chapters in one session as oppose to only two at a time. Thank you for asking.

My son is a traveler, some of the stories he's told me are similar to this one. Last minute requests for documentation, claims that submitted documentation never arrived, housing that either falls through or is so bad that paying for a hotel until he could find his own was preferable to living in the place the agency found. He learned his lesson there and never accepts agency housing, he always gets his own.

Thanks to his travelling he likes to live light, less stuff to take with him means no TV but in worst case scenarios where he rents a place without one his laptop works just fine for video. Netfix and Hulu provide what he needs plus no bills for cable/satellite. He's found he doesn't even miss it anymore. Not every place he stays comes with wifi, so he keeps a mobile hotspot on his phone to use when wifi connections are not available.

He invested in a new car a year ago since he put so many miles on his old car he just didn't feel he could trust it anymore for all those cross country trips. He makes more than enough money to justify the payments for a new car. I'm thinking instead of limping that old van along OP should have invested in that new car somewhere along the way. When your career relies on reliable, and above all safe transportation why would you take that risk?

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the rest of the story.

Bless him! Thanks for the validation. Am posting weekly.