Travelers Conference

NedRN · Jul 23, 2015

Yes! I've been to two, the first one, and year before last (primarily because I am friends with the organizers and secondarily because I had another event to go to at the same time).

Value is in the eye of the beholder, but it is a great opportunity to meet a ton of recruiters in person. There are other sorts of official attendees including travel book authors, and even a nurse union booth one year. It would seem to me it is the best fit for the never traveled, and newer travelers to learn a lot about the nuts and bolts, taxes, negotiating and so on. That said, there are a lot of conference junkies of very experienced travel nurses who like the networking, workshops, Las Vegas, and partying. There are also CEU's available. Several agencies usually throw great private parties at local clubs, free for attendees. Gypsy Nurse also has a party for her very large Facebook contingent. Usual conference give aways. The first one I went to, several agencies had drawings for iPods - long time ago!

Just a tip for any contributing members of PanTravelers (Professional Association of Nurse Travelers) out there: discount available.

Housing may be a hassle. I saw a notice a few days ago that the venue is completely sold out of allotted discounted rooms. Of course there is a lot of housing in Las Vegas, it is just that you may not be able to stay on site.

It will be the largest conference ever - I believe it has been going something close to 10 years now and with the crazy expansion of needs this year and comfort level of nurses willing to quit their staff job, it will be big. In fact, I believe they have had to cut off registration the last couple of years so anyone that is interested should act soon. For more information, Google travelers conference for a good link.

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 23, 2015

Conference junkie huh? Is that what it's called?

Any excuse to get away from the real world for a weekend in Vegas is good for me!

NedRN · Jul 23, 2015

My phrase. But people do like going to conferences and meeting old friends from prior conferences. It is certainly circular.

guest769224 · Jul 23, 2015

with the crazy expansion of needs this year and comfort level of nurses willing to quit their staff job, it will be big.

Fascinating to read, I wonder what this is due to, on both counts.

NedRN · Jul 23, 2015

It is not hard to understand. We are coming out of a large recession. Going into it, travelers went to staff jobs for security. Hospitals lost fully half of their investment income from the stock market collapse in addition to a census drop (many lost their jobs and insurance, and the other workers were afraid of losing jobs and did not have needed procedures and care) and stopped hiring. This contributed to a fear factor that takes a while to abate. The census is up, the stock market is up, and now hospitals are hiring, and staff feels more comfortable that they can go traveling and still find a new job if travel doesn't work out. As staff starts traveling, there are now even more unfilled jobs so there is a greater need for travelers.

Supply and demand, it's the law! This is a natural cycle, and because the needs are now so great, pay rates are increasing. This has spilled over to rapidly increasing conference attendance rates as a learning opportunity about travel that has only been a dream for most in the last 8 years.

guest769224 · Jul 23, 2015

Thanks for explaining, that's interesting. I have also noted travel rates increasing, and had wondered why. I wonder if this pattern will continue for awhile, or if for some reason it may crash and burn.

I don't know if travelers are cheaper or more expensive to a hospital compared to staff nurses.

NedRN · Jul 23, 2015

Bill rates will continue to rise until there is balanced supply and demand. Economics 101.

Generally travelers are more expensive than staff - perhaps around the agency gross profit margin. In ultra high pay areas like San Francisco and Boston, they are sometimes less. And for special situations, such as areas like Florida where populations can very dramatically by season, it is far more efficient to hire travelers than year round staffers.

Because of the reality or perception of the cost of travelers, many facilities will refuse overtime for travelers, even terminating them if they run over a shift with late charting (another reason to not start traveling until you are at the top of your game).

sbangoy · Jul 23, 2015

I plan to be a traveler RN TOO. I want check this conference out.

IdahoNurse · Jul 28, 2015

Thanks for the great information Ned!

What kind of educational opportunities do they have, you know?

Oh, and do you know where in Vegas it is?

TIA!

IdahoNurse · Jul 28, 2015

Do you go to the conference every year bagladyrn?

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 28, 2015

I haven't gone every year, but as often as I am able. Still not sure if I can this year. I'm looking at the schedule for September now.