travel RN, for me?

OBNurseShelley · Nov 30, 2003

The best advice I can give is: research, research, research. Be very clear of what you want and don't want to do regarding your position, ie: will you float, will you take 10 patients, will you work nights, do you want OT, do you want to take call, do you need insurance, are you flying or driving, do you have pets, what type of housing do you want, what pay rate do you want, etc. Those are just the tip of the iceburg.

It's a great experience, I have loved it!

check out the delphiforums, and you'll learn a TON of information.

DO NOT GO WITH THE BIGGER TRAVEL COMPANIES, they pay low and make you pay for private housing, they don't provide the same kind of service the smaller agencies do. The companies to stay away from are known as the "evil empire" they all fall under the same umbrella, american mobile, nursesRX, Preferred healthcare, and there's a few others.

I've traveled with: AMS, Medstaff and Praestar and have been very happy.

Good luck!

Here's the link to delphi, just type in travel nurse in the search and go to the travel nurses and therapists forum.

http://www.delphiforums.com

rncopper · Nov 30, 2003

If you decide to travel, Good Luck to You :) and Welcome to the Wonderful World of Travel Nursing!!!!

Pros:

Not getting involved the politics of the facility.

If you don't like the facility, you are only there for the duration of your contract.

The ability to see different parts of the country, different hospitals and the way things are done in different areas.

The chance to meet varied and different people, and make friends all over.

The ability to make a little bit more money (depends on where you go and how much you work)

Cons:

Moving every 13 (or however long your contract is) weeks.

Being away from family and friends.

Looking for a "job" every 13 weeks.

Unless you have a tax home, taxes are higher.

Being stuck in a "bad assignment" - not license threatening, just nasty co-workers.

My advice:

When searching for a company, INTERVIEW many. Figure out what is really important to you, whether it be pay, insurance, etc. Then interview companies to see if they meet what is important to you. For me, $ was not the top priority; insurance, 401K, private housing and guaranteed hours were. So I have been with a company that offered these but does not necessarily pay the highest. Have been with them for over 2.5 years very happily.

I also suggest going to http://www.delphiforums.com to the Travel Nurses and Therapist site. GREAT information there!

Good Luck to you!!!

:)

ellie123 · Nov 30, 2003

Thanks for you advice, I'm definately going to do my research!

bagladyrn, RN · Dec 2, 2003

Ellie - just a note here on "big agencies". They are not necessarily a bad deal - a lot depends on what your needs are. I've been with one of the biggest - CrossCountryTravcorps for 7+ years now and they work very well for me as they have lots of assignments and lots of areas, as well as a large, well organized support staff. I've even had the same recruiter for the entire time. I've never yet, in 7 years finished an assignment without having the next one all lined up in an area of my choice. No, the pay is not the highest, but the benefits are decent, the service is consistent and for my needs it works.