Will I ever feel READY?

[copeRN]

I have played with the idea of traveling for so long. I feel like I just need to go for it and then I will know for sure if its for me. I am originally from Mississippi, but now living in Maine. Maybe a seasonal position would be better for me. Does anyone have any advice or tips for me about what I should be asking my recruiter? I have only spoke with a person from AmericanMobile and CrossCountry.

[Truckee]

You have to read, read, read and read some more. Websites like this, pantravelers.org, and highwayhypodermics.com. The latter also has a decent book that answers a lot of questions. Download it as an e-book

If after a lot of research you feel you still don't know, maybe it's not for you. I asked myself "why do I want to travel?" After answering that question I was able narrow down the #1priority for me (it's different for everyone) and worked on finding a job to fit/fill that desire.

Greg

[perfexion, ASN, RN]

I know this thread is old but I'm going through the same thing. I really want to travel but my main reason is because I hate the politics of being a staff nurse. Plus I'm the primary breadwinner of my family and I can't afford to travel for recreation anymore so I figure travel nursing will be like a working vacation. But to me quitting a cushy, permanent staff job with benefits would be the one and only con. I have signed up with agencies and have been really close to taking an assignment but I can't bring myself to do it. Are you traveling now and if so, what made you finally take the plunge?

[Underthemoonicp6]

If you hate the politics of being a staff nurse, politics of being a traveler aren't any better. You have to negotiate with your agency, plus deal with the hospital. You can have mixed reactions from staff nurses who are under the impression that you are coming in and making more money than them for the same job. You should have a solid reason for wanting to travel. I love traveling but that isn't to say there aren't cons to it as well. For me though, the pros greatly outweigh the cons.

[NedRN]

No committees, no BS for travelers! Yes, there is work in getting contracts, but in my experience, by the time you learned what the politics are at an assignment hospital, you are out of there! You are not part of the family and if you stay professional, politics are not in your sphere of operations at an assignment.

To perfexion: the only way to do it is dive in! Your first assignment will have a steep learning curve and you will learn what questions are important in interviewing agencies and hospitals and selecting further assignments. You can always go back to a staff job, perhaps a better one somewhere else, if travel doesn't work for you.