wanting to travel to NYC

tinderbox · Jan 10, 2006

Hi Jellie

A travel nurse who was at my hospital used Cross Country and went to NYC. She said positive things about that company. I've also heard good things from others, as well.

I plan on travelling to NYC, also. Really, that is the only city that I want to travel to (for travel nursing, I mean), so I'm debating whether or not to get to NYC via travel nursing or just plain relocation. I wouldn't want to take an assignment anywhere else! Ha.

Sable's mom · Jan 11, 2006

I walked out of an assignment in NYC - the only time I've ever done that. My advice: #1.make your company get your housing for you (yes you make more $ doing it yourself, but unless you know NYC it's dicey) #2. Be very certain what area you are in - if you want Manhattan, only take Manhattan. I was in Queens - not far from Manhattan in miles, but light years away in other ways. (The cops wouldn't travel in pairs - only triplets!!! SWAT team take down in front of my apartment, crow bar marks on apartment door (inside security doors) when I came home one morning. Thaat was the last straw.

I'd love to go back to Manhattan or southern CA, my favorite assignments.

tinderbox · Jan 12, 2006

I want to go to NYC and only NYC. I don't necessarily want to do "travel nursing" but want to use it just as the most convenient way to get myself to NYC in the first place. I know that most assignments are approx 3 mos. long. Would I have a good chance of extending that if I asked them to let me stay and work in NYC? Eventually, after I got settled, I would get a permanent position somewhere in the city and just live there. But I think travel nursing may be the best and cheapest way to get myself to NYC. I dunno. What do YOU think, Lindaisanurse??

jellie22 · Jan 12, 2006

Thanks Tinderbox and Lindaisanurse-

I've started looking into some companies and there's not as many travel opportunities to NYC as I thought there'd be. I'll be moving there with my husband and will be there for at least 9 months while he's in school. If I do travel nursing I'm worried it might be a gamble as to whether or not I can stay at a hospital longer than 13 weeks.

Also, I have heard Astoria is a good place to stay in Queens. Lindaisanurse, may I ask what part of Queens you were living in?

Thanks for your input!

-Jellie

paula77720 · Jan 12, 2006

HI,

My advise, having lived in the city for 5 years, is to go for travel nursing. The rent in manhattan for a 1 bed is 2000, if you're lucky. We used to live in the upper west side and love the area (walk to central park is 10 minutes) YOu can go to Astoria or brooklyn for a 1200 1 bed and commute by subway for 20-30 mins. If you work in the east side, then go to astoria. I worked at HSS and a friend works at NYP -- they are one of the best hospitals in the city for travellers. NYU, is also good. The hospital staff are very professional. GOOD luck!

I miss NYC a lot, i wont mind going back if i have my own place in the city :)

You will love the people -- they are so liberal and driven, yet fun. Of course, the food, nothing beats that! Theres always things to do!

Im in Florida now and moving to cali end of this year. Hopefully, it'll be the same experience as NYC.

tinderbox · Jan 12, 2006

Thank you for your reply! I was wondering, though, which hospital is HSS? Forgive me, but I don't recognize that abbreviation.

Thanks again!

jellie22 · Jan 13, 2006

I just looked up HSS and I think it is Hospital for Special Surgery: http://www.hss.edu/

-Jellie

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2006

I spent close to a year in Manhattan as a traveler and worked with two facilities and changed agencies during that year.

Some facilities have exclusive contracts with certain agencies. American Mobile (and its' subsidiaries - The "Evil Empire") has the lock on NYU Hospital. As such, you get a better rate, but live in the hospital housing(cannot take a subsidy). The hospital, while having a well known rep, has abysmal staffing ratios in some departments.

CrossCountry Travcorp (and its sudsidiaries - also an empire, but not as evil), has the lock on New York Presbyterian - Cornell and Columbia. One is on the Upper East Side next to Sotheby's Auction House...rather upscale. Jackie Onasis went there for treatment. The other is on the Upper West, not as nice an area, where Bill Clinton had heart surgery. I worked at Cornell on the Upper East, had a lovely studio in a quiet neighborhood, a short walk from the hospital. It also was near the Park. The facility was wonderful and worked with me when an unexpected health problem occurred and had me seen by a Cornell attending. The facility is also consistantly in the top ten in the US (Newsweek or US News, I can't remember)

My housing and benefits with CCT were better than those with AMH. My recruiter is also better. Though there are many other agencies that pay better.

Do not take a car to Manhattan. REPEAT, do not take a car to Manhattan. They are more of an expense and a hinderance than anything. I don't have the best stamina, but within days I was walking long distances with little thought. It is good for you, and was easier than driving. The bus, subway,or for that matter taxis, are easier, cheaper and more sensible than trying to find and pay for parking in Manhattan. If you take a sidetrip you can rent a car.

I rarely left Manhattan, there was so much to do. I did take the train to Coney Island, Woodlawn Cemetary (famous marbles there), the Tram to the Blackwells (Roosevelt Island). The discount ticket office for cheap theatre tickets in Times Square was a favorite spot.

Shopping for groceries was a bit of a pain. When you are used to a big, airy, well supplied Publix or Winn Dixie and being able to load up the car, it is a culture shock to go to a little. crowded D'Agostino's or Gristedes and have to carry everything home. For large orders, it pays to get it delivered...usually only a couple dollars charge.

Vegetables and fruits are best bought and cheaper from street venders. There are also green markets (for Southerners, like our farmer's markets) on certain days and at certain locales, that I would pass on my way walking from work (nightshift), and buy things like fresh milk, cheese, veggies, fruits, lavender and herbs. There are many corner delis and bakeries, where you can get fresh baked bread.

After 3 - 12s in a row, there is nothing like a corner brunch with your friends, and a mimosa/bellini to put you to sleep. And since you are walking, no major legal issues.

If I had to go back, I would have gotten a membership to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It takes several days to go through it, there are always a display or two changing and closed. And it also lets you into the Cloisters , an utterly amazing collection of medieval rooms and art work in the north part of Manhattan, in a monostary looking building.

Good Luck.

jellie22 · Jan 13, 2006

Thanks caroladybelle-

May I ask, did CrossCountry supply you with the apartment or did they give you a housing allowance? I just applied with them. I've only heard negative things about American Mobile so I won't apply with them. It doesn't seem like there are that many travel companies that send nurses to NYC.

Thanks for all your input. Everything I'm hearing is getting me more exicted about moving there...I just hope it works out and I can afford it. Thanks again!

-Jellie

tinderbox · Jan 13, 2006

I would never think of taking my car to NYC. People who do are asking for torture.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2006

Thanks caroladybelle-
May I ask, did CrossCountry supply you with the apartment or did they give you a housing allowance?

Unless I am in Florida or Georgia (where I have reliable home housing), I take the provided housing.

This is doubly advisable in Manhattan, where it is difficult if not almost impossible to get short term apartments.

CC Travcorp frequently puts travelers in studios at London House, which has several locations. Unless you need other accomodations (traveling with a partner). The one I had was better than what AMH provided, was ten blocks to the facility, on a quiet street, close to bus lines, with a separate kitchen. The building had an around the clock doorman (safety asset), laundry and elevator. It was a relatively small building (for Manhattan less than 10 floors), with a D'Agostino's around the corner. It was less than a $20.00 cab ride to L'Guardia. All essential furnishings should be provided in Manhattan : dishes, linens, TV, coffee maker, toaster, etc. (I personally ship my own sheets in for comfort - but they had a brand new fresh pack there for me).

I got kind of spoiled as the apartment was better supplied than others that I have had later. But I tend to prefer some of my own stuff anyway.

Good Luck.