Travel nursing - worth it? Good $?

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Hello travel nurses -

I currently love my staff nurse job (great pt ratio, good support, love my coworkers, always get breaks, etc.) But I don't get the best pay. I'm swimming in student loans and have a hard time making ends meet. I'm already in my 30s, and I feel if I don't find some way to get these loans more manageable, I'll never be able to buy a house, or stop struggling each month. I really don't want to move, but I feel like I could sacrifice a year if it means I could make a good dent in my loans.

So, how much did you make a year travel nursing? How much was your monthly stipend or living expenses allotment?

How did traveling affect you emotionally? Was it tough getting up to speed so quickly in a new facility? How did other nurses treat you? Any advise on good travel companies to look into - and those to stay away from? Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.

I do travel nursing and also do local agency when I'm home. I am lucky... no debts and that includes credit cards.

I say look to work travel but also pick up some local agency when you can. You should get out of debt and stay there because it will haunt you in your 40's when you can't work as much ot as you'd like to.

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I would agree with LadyNasdaq. Living debt free is the way to go. A great way for nurses to eliminate debt is to travel. I'm not sure how much consumer debt your in, but I bet if you were to focus your energies on working travel and agency shifts for 1-2 years you could be debt free. There are some great personal finance sites out there. I would suggest http://www.daveramsey.com as a starting point.

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I'm a Prenursing student and I'm still learning these nursing terms.

I've just been wondering what it means to do agency work and per diem?

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