Want to travel, but scared

DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN · Feb 5, 2003

If you want to travel then just take the plunge... But word of advice from a traveler that travels internationally and in the states... Never ever leave a full time job until you have another job sitting on top of you, you can contract a job 6 weeks out and there is always someone looking for OB nurses so you should have no worries there.... But never put in notice until you have a contract of all the things you want before you give your notice in at the hospital you work at. Good luck to you , Oh and You have to have atleast 1 yr of experience before a travel company will consider you.

Zoe

TEXASWAG, MSN, RN · Feb 5, 2003

Dawn,

Go for it! I've done 3 travel assignments in ICU. When I was a staff nurse, the travel nurses that I met seemed happy. Maybe I wasn't at the time, but that gave me the motivation to look up a few companies. I wanted to feel what they felt.....happy, carefree.

My advice to you would be to contact more than one travel company and ask questions. Having an honest recruiter is the key to a good relationship between you and the company. Go on some websites and look up what each company offers. Compare their benefits and ask yourself what's important to you. For some travel nurses it's money, others it's medical insurance, if the company offers a 401k, or if the company is honest and treats its nurses with respect. Good luck and I wish you well.

eddy · Feb 20, 2003

Haven't done a travel assignment in a while (my choice), but I still keep in contact with my recruiters. One in particular has become a pretty good friend over the years. I can't stress enough the importance of developing a relationship with your recruiter. If they know you well, they won't try to screw you.

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Feb 21, 2003

I'm right there with you Dawn, my BF is in CA, I'm in Alabama. I've had the same job for 14 years and been at the same hospital for 16 years. I'm reluctant to leave the secure environment and then there are so many companies to choose from, how does one decide???????

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2003

I took a LOA from my full time job when I first did traveling home health. I live in Ohio and went all the way to California. I loved it. I now am in a totally different job but I really did like it very much.

renerian

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Feb 21, 2003

Yeah, they won't let me do that...I can take a leave of absence but if they find out that I am working elsewhere, they can me.

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2003

Lilgirl that is to bad. I was honest and went to my employer and told them I wanted to try travel nursing. They wanted me to be happy so they let me take a leave. I came back into a full time job upon my return as we were still as short of nurses as we were when I left.

renerian

Geeg · Feb 23, 2003

Hi. I started to travel 2 years ago. Prior to that , I worked for the same hospital for 15 years-my whole nursing career. I thought alot about the decision. Just ask yourself: If I don't like travelling, what is the worst case scenario? And is it acceptable? My worst case was going back to the boring place whre I used to live and getting my old job, or a similar one back. For me, it was well worth the risk.

seanymph · Feb 25, 2003

Well, I've bitten the bullet and accepted a travel assignment:roll :roll

I am going to a postpartum assignment at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. I'm very excited, but still nervous. Anyone with any experience at this facility?

Thanks for everyones support.

Dawn

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Feb 25, 2003

Not familiar with the facility, but familiar with the heat and humidity... welcome to the south :))

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2003

I am sorry but I am not familiar with it either . Good luck.

renerian