RN, Will Travel...?s

[BlueSwede]

I apologize; this question is totally unrelated to this site, but I know that our members have a wealth of knowledge that they're always kind enough to share.

Do you have any experience w/traveling nurse agencies in the States? Any recommendations? Any in particular to stay away from? Do you know of any that helped w/transportation while a nurse is in a particular location, not just financial help to get to the new assignment? Do you know of anyone on line who would be willing to talk to me about their experiences or who'd give me their advice? (I'm an RN w/a BSN, have specialized in oncology, and am chemotherapy certified.)

Thank you, everybody! :)

[PantyFanatic]

Unregistered Pervert, Has extra bedroom.....!

[babybunny]

BS~ My mom used to travel up unti earlier this year...for many years. She made quite a good bit of munny doing that. Especially if you are willing to work strike hospitals. As far as I know of mostly they house you in a hotel..depending on the length of the term and offer shuddles to and from places. If it is for longer soemtimes (but not always) they will offer you a rental car...but it is rare to find places like that. I would have to ask my mom which companies are better as she has been with quite a few. There are 1 or 2 that you really want to stay away from...as they dont like to uphold thier end of bargains.

My mom would probably be willing to chat with you if I knew you and her could be on at the saem time...and if that happenes dont tell her where you met me or mention pixies! :D

[BlueSwede]

Thanks, babybunny! I'd appreciate any info you can get for me and/or would love to talk w/your mom. Of course I won't mention this home away from home. Considering the fact that I posted some pix of myself in uniform in the women's pix section, I'd rather this gem of a site be kept confidential as well.

PF, sounds good to me. :D

[denny]

Are you talking about Transport nursing?

[BlueSwede]

Denny, I'm not sure what Transport nursing is. Can you define it for me? I'm referring to when a nurse is hired by an agency to go work at a particular hospital in the country for anywhere from usually 13-52 weeks at a time, with, from my understanding, the average being 17 weeks at a time. Then she or he may choose to have that agency send him or her to a hospital that is in a completely different state. Most of those agencies seem to supply housing and insurance benefits, but I've not found any who mention that they also supply any kind of transportation (like a car) for the nurse while she or he is working at the designated hospital. They may pay up to $300 for moving expenses to get from city to city, but that's it.

[denny]

Very different. Transport nurses assist in transport of infants to providers able to offer needed services.

[sexybinurse]

Hi Blue...I'm a traveling nurse (also RN-BSN, but in Neonatal ICU) and can give you a ton of information. I've been traveling since 1994 and have been with several different companies. I can also give you the name of a message board that could probably answer any and all questions I can't. I'll PM you with your answers tomorrow night...I'm working days tomorrow and need to hit the sack for now. Take care!

[BlueSwede]

Thanks, sexybinurse, I would really appreciate that. :) I knew I'd be able to count on Pixies members to come through. :)

[Steph]

I'm not sure if I'm reading your question right but are you willing to travel to another state for work? I know a lot of Canadian nurses go to Texas and make tons of money . . . just a thought, if possible.

[BlueSwede]

Steph, yes, I am saying that I am willing to work in other states. It's just that, to my knowledge, if a nurse is hired by a travel nurse agency, the agency is really the one paying his or her salary, and they usually supply housing for free or for a small fee...as opposed to me moving to another state on my own and getting hired at a hospital there on my own, and thus finding housing, etc. on my own, too.

Thanks for the suggestion!:)

[BlueSwede]

If anyone would be kind enough to send any information or advice my way, my e-mail addresses are [email protected] OR [email protected]. Thanks!

[sexybinurse]

I am so sorry I haven't been able to get back to you...picked up a few shifts...too many babies wanting to come out WAY too early right now! I just got home and have to be back tomorrow at 7a, so once again, I can't get into a long detailed message right now, but tomorrow night...I'll give you all the info I have. Yes, though, you are right in that housing is paid for, also electricity and water. You just have to pick up the "extras"...phone and cable...since they aren't considered necessities. Some companies will give you free shared housing or require a small portion of rent to be paid by you if you'd like private housing. The company I'm with right now, though, gives free private housing and, since I'm actually in an extended stay facility, my phone and cable are included. Geez...here I go...I could go on and on about the benefits of traveling, but I really need to get to bed. Plus, I don't want to bore all these other Pixies members...lol. However, as I said, tomorrow night I'll give you all the info I can! Have a great night!

[BlueSwede]

Thanks, sexybinurse! I understand how exhausted you must be, so I really appreciate you taking the time to contact me anyway.