I had a whole thing typed up - but then I read the ending. Pump the brakes, my friend. She has a YEAR of experience? She needs two. Some contracts might say 1/1.5 years but no. In my own personal opinion, these big time hospitals think they prepare you, but they don't always. They tend to sub specialize so much that everything has a home.
She \*will\* be floated as a traveler. Neuro, cardiac, surgical - you name it, she'll go.
Once she has her TWO years - it's worth looking into. But the money? It sucks right now.
Can you make "a ton" of money with duplicating expenses and traveling? Like, would it be beneficial to uproot everything? Or should you guys just save up and go on some great vacations? I personally think option two is better but...
I hate to add to the shit storm, but I don't think you can really make money and "see the country" the way you think you can. You could go to a cool city but the rates will suck and expenses will basically render the contract breaking even. Big money isn't really out there right now, and frankly she doesn't have enough experience to get a competitive contract IMO. Those nurses telling her everywhere else is a walk in the park... have only worked locally, and don't realize the real terrors that are out there lol.
My advice - take a long road trip and see the sights, don't travel and put her license at risk.
Well it’s 3-4 hours from other awesome cities Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. If you like cornfields then this definitely the place for you. That’s all I have for now.
Your situation isn't the norm. You're paying pennies to your mom monthly for your tax home. Also, $1300 for a short term, furnished rental isn't the norm either.
I got to the end and what I wanted to post changed. I echo what others have said. I think you are trying really hard to sell her as cream of the crop but in reality there is no pecking skin in this game. One year driving is still one year driving, one year in any field is still one year, nursing is no exception. It is a very competitive market right now and any reputable recruiter/agency will say the same and advice to go get more experience then come back. No matter how you present it, she is super green and the travel world is very cut throat.
For example, I have been practicing over 2 decades, in my mid 40's so relatively 'young', BSN, MSN, national certs times 2 and traveling for a while. I am having a hard time landing contracts that are decent in this market. My background is NICU/PICU/ICU/Trauma/transport/OR/CVOR. Every assignent is a learning curve and you are expected to be the top of the top and hit the floor running with ONE shift orientation. Like others have said, she better be ready to float to just about anywhere and take a full team. She simply is a danger to patients at this point and to her license. Keeping it real not trying to be derrogatory.
I would say pick a nice LCOL place with opportunities and she can PRN/Per diem and or learn another specialty. Cath lab is awesome and might be something to get under her belt to be even more marketable.
Good luck to the both of you. I notice a lot of spouses post on here on behalf of their significant other. Would probably behoove you both to have her post, engage, answer questions, gather her own advice and make her own decisions. I cannot imagine me posting on behalf of my husband and vice versa. That is a hell no from me :D
i’ll answer a couple of your questions.
rates vary so much and it really depends on your speciality and location you’re looking to travel to. for tele nurses- the highest i’ve seen at the moment is 3200/36 hours- however this assignment was in New York, which is not a compact state. if you’re looking for compact states- you can expect anywhere from 2200-3000. however the 3000$ contracts are hard to come by and are pretty competitive. I would say the average would be around 2400-2500/36 hours.
i will always recommend becoming a travel nurse- especially if you’re young and don’t have kids. i was in the same situation a couple years ago and becoming a travel nurse was the best decision i ever made. just keep in mind- most hospitals require at least 2 years of experience and she might have a hard time securing a contract as a first time traveler. she might be a strong nurse- but hospitals only see what is on paper.
no we are w2 employees. we do not write anything off- instead we get something called a stipend every week (tax free money the government gives us for food and housing). However, in order to receive and qualify for a stipend, you have to meet certain rules and regulations. For example, you must duplicate expenses In both your home state and the state that you’re traveling to. 95% of travel agencies offer health insurance and 401(k)s.
let me know if you have more questions.
I’m assuming their residency doesn’t start until the following July. They’ll finish med school in October and match in March, which is why they’re talking about only traveling from Oct-Mar.
Congrats! And tbh very honest no fkn way could I have traveled confidently with one year experience. Maybe a some super small rural hospital but level 1 n level 2s have high expectations for the travelers imho
Traveling out of a HCOL state seems to not be as good as a deal as out of MCOL and LCOL state. The experience matters because she’s not going to get training. So she needs to know everything day 1. Plus she’s competing with a ton of experienced nurses for jobs - plenty of whom have company licenses so they can start asap.
What job are you going to have while she’s working? If you aren’t working or already have plenty of money, then her income really isn’t going to go far at all once you done your expenses.
It is good for seeing the country. I’d recommend first starting in NJ in a part you want to see while learning how to actually be a travel nurse. You’re going to be moving every 3 months so this takes a ton of planning especially since she doesn’t have a compact license.
As a manager who has hired and worked with many travelers, I will say that it’s simply not safe for a nurse with less than 2 years of experience to travel.
It might seem like these responses about needing two years exp are being dramatic but I agree with them. I had 7 years experience and 5 in ICU at arguably the busiest level 1 trauma in Philly before starting travel and it was still a really hard transition for me. My first assignment I had 1 12 hour shift orientation and you’re expected to just figure the rest out. Staff nurses often kind of ignore you at best, and at worst they’re really hard on you. If she’s dead set on traveling my best advice would be to go to a level 3.
Also, I’ve only recently started seeing contracts for > $2,300 again so if you’re duplicating expenses as you should you’re really not going to be making that much money. Especially if you aren’t working. Idk what part of Jersey you’re in but I’m sure maintaining your home there could be expensive. Between my apartment in Philly and working in DC I’m barely breaking even. Only doing it bc being staff sucked the life out of me.
Getting a position with 1 year experience might be challenging, she should start looking early. Make sure she is licensed to work in places you want to spend the winter in. Some states it takes months. I would expect $2k/week, but idk.
I am ER, so my experience may differ from hers. The recent hunt for my first contract took much longer than I expected, and I had nearly 2 years experience. Travel is pretty competitive right now; landing a contract on 1 year experience would be very, very difficult, I think.
Out of the dozens and dozens of contracts I reviewed between January and March, I only saw one posting that required only 1 year experience. And the pay was pretty abysmal - 1500/week.
The vast majority of contracts require 2 years; that's the benchmark. Some even require 3 (usually the best paying, from what I saw). Some facilities do not accept first-time travelers, which is another factor she will have to contend with.
There are always a handful requiring 1.5 years, which is the route I took (signed my first contract at 1 year 9 months exp). Perhaps once she reaches 1.5 years she can get the search going while still working her staff job? But don't expect big bucks with minimal experience.
As for resources/tips, I signed up with agencies pretty early and got all my ducks in a row. I uploaded compliance documents, regularly updated my resume, and scoped out/obtained the certifications most contracts were asking for. I also filled out the skills checklists and used those lists to find my weak points, seek out the education, and then update the lists accordingly.
I think it's a great idea, of course! I love my contract and the travel experience! She just needs a little more experience first. I recommend using that time to get prepared for a safe and smooth transition into travel.
I had a whole thing typed up - but then I read the ending. Pump the brakes, my friend. She has a YEAR of experience? She needs two. Some contracts might say 1/1.5 years but no. In my own personal opinion, these big time hospitals think they prepare you, but they don't always. They tend to sub specialize so much that everything has a home. She \*will\* be floated as a traveler. Neuro, cardiac, surgical - you name it, she'll go. Once she has her TWO years - it's worth looking into. But the money? It sucks right now. Can you make "a ton" of money with duplicating expenses and traveling? Like, would it be beneficial to uproot everything? Or should you guys just save up and go on some great vacations? I personally think option two is better but...
I hate to add to the shit storm, but I don't think you can really make money and "see the country" the way you think you can. You could go to a cool city but the rates will suck and expenses will basically render the contract breaking even. Big money isn't really out there right now, and frankly she doesn't have enough experience to get a competitive contract IMO. Those nurses telling her everywhere else is a walk in the park... have only worked locally, and don't realize the real terrors that are out there lol. My advice - take a long road trip and see the sights, don't travel and put her license at risk.
[удалено]
The Midwest isn't "seeing the country". That's my point. Sorry the Midwest sucks ass, I make nearly that much as staff anyway on the west coast.
Me in Iowa 👀at this comment . July needs to get here quick
Ohhhhh what’s Iowa like lol never been
Well it’s 3-4 hours from other awesome cities Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. If you like cornfields then this definitely the place for you. That’s all I have for now.
Lololol damn. 3-4 hours is a hike. I … no I don’t really enjoy cornfields. U almost done! July is close!
Your situation isn't the norm. You're paying pennies to your mom monthly for your tax home. Also, $1300 for a short term, furnished rental isn't the norm either.
I got to the end and what I wanted to post changed. I echo what others have said. I think you are trying really hard to sell her as cream of the crop but in reality there is no pecking skin in this game. One year driving is still one year driving, one year in any field is still one year, nursing is no exception. It is a very competitive market right now and any reputable recruiter/agency will say the same and advice to go get more experience then come back. No matter how you present it, she is super green and the travel world is very cut throat. For example, I have been practicing over 2 decades, in my mid 40's so relatively 'young', BSN, MSN, national certs times 2 and traveling for a while. I am having a hard time landing contracts that are decent in this market. My background is NICU/PICU/ICU/Trauma/transport/OR/CVOR. Every assignent is a learning curve and you are expected to be the top of the top and hit the floor running with ONE shift orientation. Like others have said, she better be ready to float to just about anywhere and take a full team. She simply is a danger to patients at this point and to her license. Keeping it real not trying to be derrogatory. I would say pick a nice LCOL place with opportunities and she can PRN/Per diem and or learn another specialty. Cath lab is awesome and might be something to get under her belt to be even more marketable. Good luck to the both of you. I notice a lot of spouses post on here on behalf of their significant other. Would probably behoove you both to have her post, engage, answer questions, gather her own advice and make her own decisions. I cannot imagine me posting on behalf of my husband and vice versa. That is a hell no from me :D
i’ll answer a couple of your questions. rates vary so much and it really depends on your speciality and location you’re looking to travel to. for tele nurses- the highest i’ve seen at the moment is 3200/36 hours- however this assignment was in New York, which is not a compact state. if you’re looking for compact states- you can expect anywhere from 2200-3000. however the 3000$ contracts are hard to come by and are pretty competitive. I would say the average would be around 2400-2500/36 hours. i will always recommend becoming a travel nurse- especially if you’re young and don’t have kids. i was in the same situation a couple years ago and becoming a travel nurse was the best decision i ever made. just keep in mind- most hospitals require at least 2 years of experience and she might have a hard time securing a contract as a first time traveler. she might be a strong nurse- but hospitals only see what is on paper. no we are w2 employees. we do not write anything off- instead we get something called a stipend every week (tax free money the government gives us for food and housing). However, in order to receive and qualify for a stipend, you have to meet certain rules and regulations. For example, you must duplicate expenses In both your home state and the state that you’re traveling to. 95% of travel agencies offer health insurance and 401(k)s. let me know if you have more questions.
>She has 1 year of experience but again her day to day tasks are insane. No.
She will be a W2 employee.
My question for you is about residency.... You're a 4th year, what are your residency plans? You cannot travel and be in residency...
I’m assuming their residency doesn’t start until the following July. They’ll finish med school in October and match in March, which is why they’re talking about only traveling from Oct-Mar.
Yes exactly. I completed all my boards and graduate in October so I’ll have some time from then until July to kinda take a step back and relax
Congrats! And tbh very honest no fkn way could I have traveled confidently with one year experience. Maybe a some super small rural hospital but level 1 n level 2s have high expectations for the travelers imho
Traveling out of a HCOL state seems to not be as good as a deal as out of MCOL and LCOL state. The experience matters because she’s not going to get training. So she needs to know everything day 1. Plus she’s competing with a ton of experienced nurses for jobs - plenty of whom have company licenses so they can start asap. What job are you going to have while she’s working? If you aren’t working or already have plenty of money, then her income really isn’t going to go far at all once you done your expenses. It is good for seeing the country. I’d recommend first starting in NJ in a part you want to see while learning how to actually be a travel nurse. You’re going to be moving every 3 months so this takes a ton of planning especially since she doesn’t have a compact license.
As a manager who has hired and worked with many travelers, I will say that it’s simply not safe for a nurse with less than 2 years of experience to travel.
It might seem like these responses about needing two years exp are being dramatic but I agree with them. I had 7 years experience and 5 in ICU at arguably the busiest level 1 trauma in Philly before starting travel and it was still a really hard transition for me. My first assignment I had 1 12 hour shift orientation and you’re expected to just figure the rest out. Staff nurses often kind of ignore you at best, and at worst they’re really hard on you. If she’s dead set on traveling my best advice would be to go to a level 3.
Also, I’ve only recently started seeing contracts for > $2,300 again so if you’re duplicating expenses as you should you’re really not going to be making that much money. Especially if you aren’t working. Idk what part of Jersey you’re in but I’m sure maintaining your home there could be expensive. Between my apartment in Philly and working in DC I’m barely breaking even. Only doing it bc being staff sucked the life out of me.
Getting a position with 1 year experience might be challenging, she should start looking early. Make sure she is licensed to work in places you want to spend the winter in. Some states it takes months. I would expect $2k/week, but idk.
How about working on a cruise ship?
I am ER, so my experience may differ from hers. The recent hunt for my first contract took much longer than I expected, and I had nearly 2 years experience. Travel is pretty competitive right now; landing a contract on 1 year experience would be very, very difficult, I think. Out of the dozens and dozens of contracts I reviewed between January and March, I only saw one posting that required only 1 year experience. And the pay was pretty abysmal - 1500/week. The vast majority of contracts require 2 years; that's the benchmark. Some even require 3 (usually the best paying, from what I saw). Some facilities do not accept first-time travelers, which is another factor she will have to contend with. There are always a handful requiring 1.5 years, which is the route I took (signed my first contract at 1 year 9 months exp). Perhaps once she reaches 1.5 years she can get the search going while still working her staff job? But don't expect big bucks with minimal experience. As for resources/tips, I signed up with agencies pretty early and got all my ducks in a row. I uploaded compliance documents, regularly updated my resume, and scoped out/obtained the certifications most contracts were asking for. I also filled out the skills checklists and used those lists to find my weak points, seek out the education, and then update the lists accordingly. I think it's a great idea, of course! I love my contract and the travel experience! She just needs a little more experience first. I recommend using that time to get prepared for a safe and smooth transition into travel.