Highway Hypodermics ^®

Travel Nurses Make A Difference, One Hospital At A Time

Stories From Other Travel Nurse

For those contemplating the travel nurse field: The best way to learn about the travel nursing field is from those who are actually in the travel nursing trenches.  This form was created to give travel nurses a venue to post their experiences.

###

For experienced travelers: Do you have a travel nursing experience?   Share it by answering the travel nurse questionnaire!

Name: Vernell
ResidentState: Alabama
Specialty: Psych
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: Two+ Bedrooms, don't mind paying some
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Supplemental
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: Raleigh
LeastFavoriteCity: Baltimore
Date: 07 Aug 2007
Time: 15:45:03

FirstTravelNurseExperience

I traveled twice in my career. Once in the late eighties then early 2000. I worked for John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The hospital was huge, but the people I worked with were very friendly and helpful. The residents and the staff were grateful for the help and welcomed me to the unit as a working member of the staff and not as some one getting paid and wasting their time. because every city seems to be under some type of construction Baltimore was very difficult for me to get around. I was there fodr 7 months and was just beginning to understand how to get around. One nurse and CA, took me under their wings and took me to sights of interest.

TellAFirstTimer

Be careful, know your surroundings, dont be scared to explore and to realize nursing care is nursing care, just the surrounging and policies will be different.

Name: kimberly
ResidentState: colorado
Specialty: ortho/spine
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: not perm staff for past 2 year now ready to hit the road once more
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: santa barbra
LeastFavoriteCity: century city
Date: 07 Aug 2007
Time: 17:02:39

FirstTravelNurseExperience

eye opening.i learn to use all my courage and found my resources.

TellAFirstTimer

jump in both feet dont worry about the small stuff use well known travel facilities 1rt or else other at to protective and judgmental at other places. by all means speak up if you getting ditched on.

Name: Lynn
ResidentState: Missouri
Specialty: Critical Care Nursing
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Health Specialists,Inc
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Medstaff Carolinas, StarMed, Nursestat, MedStaff,RNStat
NonFriendlyHospital: Cox South, Springfield, MO ; St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO; Raleigh Community Hospital, Raleigh, NC; Bothwell Regional Medical Center, Sedalia,MO; Golden Valley Hospital, Clinton, MO
Favoritecity: Kansas City, MO
LeastFavoriteCity: tossup between St. Louis, MO and Raleigh, NC
Date: 09 Aug 2007
Time: 19:06:37

FirstTravelNurseExperience

A very stressful experience between the dangerous housing in the worst part of St. Louis, MO; the horrible drive of 1.5hrs to drive 17 miles from the apartment to the hospital; the traveling company which refused to move me even though pimps, prostitutes, drug addicts hung around the door of the apartment building; the same company which never paid me correctly so I spent long periods of time fighting with the payroll department trying to get the correct pay when I needed to be sleeping. Needless to say, I worked the 13 weeks and went to another company. The company was StarMed. I liked working at the hospital. Too bad.

TellAFirstTimer

Be assertive. These companies and hospitals need you worse than you need them. Remember, you are a valuable commodity. If RN's did not exist none of these travel companies or hospitals could operate. Get along with the staff nurses you work with, but do not get sucked into their problems--my personal opinion now is that a nurse works for a hospital that treats them badly and pays them poorly, they must be a masochist at heart You will find very few places where the nurses are happy--if they were, you wouldn't be there as a travel nurse.

Name: Cheryl
ResidentState: Louisiana
Specialty: RN
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Travel Nurse Solutions (formerly World Health)
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Yes, Professional Placement Resources
NonFriendlyHospital: Kaiser Permenente
Favoritecity: Rancho Mirage, CA
LeastFavoriteCity: Oakland, CA
Date: 10 Aug 2007
Time: 13:54:27

FirstTravelNurseExperience

I was a very new nurse graduating in February 2001, I started my first travel assignment in early 2003 locally, just 30 miles from home. It was a very large teaching state hospital hospital with primitive testing and limited orientation but was traveler friendly. The nurse patient ratio was 6-8 pts and I worked the night shift. One of the busiest floors in the hospital, the tele floor, we handled alot of new admissions and the hosp employed "admitting nurses" but only until 10-11 pm which was a major plus. They also were in nurse manager transition mode which made it a little more challenging to get info and scheduling issues solved. I enjoyed it b/c it was fast-paced and challenging to say the least. The location was top priority at that time so money wasn't the biggest issue. However, being my first assignment, you find out quickly that travel companies make a chunk of change off of us and I learned real fast that the travel nurse industry is worth minding your p's and q's.

TellAFirstTimer

Don't be afraid of the unknown! Just jump in with both feet and give it your all. After all, you did it when you first started nursing school! Be PREPARED and keep in touch with other travel nurses with your same goals and make sure they are POSITIVE in thinking! Why, positive produces positive and life has enuff negatives already. Encouragement and support is much needed and sometimes the least provided. Enjoy life and your family! If you do as a person AND nurse what you don't get paid for, the rest takes care of itself! Go for it and don't look back! Tomorrow is a new day!

Name: Judy
ResidentState: Florida
Specialty: RN - ICU
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: RN Demand
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Lifecare Associates
NonFriendlyHospital: Northern Arizona Medical Center
Favoritecity: Farmington, NM
LeastFavoriteCity: King City, CA
Date: 31 Aug 2007
Time: 01:44:05

FirstTravelNurseExperience

It was 1600 miles from home. I knew no one, and was scared to death. I was afraid that I couldn't catch on in the short orintation travel nurses get, but I did, the hospital staff were really helpful and freindy. I learned I can do it. And I have been ever since.

TellAFirstTimer

Make sure everything you agree upon is relayed in your phone interview with the hospital, and it's in your contract. Make sure your hours are guarenteed in your contract. Listen to other travel nurses and learn from thier mistakes.

Name: Connie
ResidentState: Nebraska
Specialty: OR Nursing
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: RN Demand
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: Sandpoint, Idaho
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 04 Sep 2007
Time: 00:08:07

FirstTravelNurseExperience

Had one day oreintation with three staff nurses. None was much good at teaching. None had a complete working knowledge of unit. Took about two weeks to put it all together. Have just extended my assignment until October. Very friendly OR nursing staff. High cost of living with ver low nurses wages for staff nurses.

TellAFirstTimer

Keep smiling. Not every day is going to be your best day. Ask questions. Ask questions. Ask questions.

Name: paula
ResidentState: illinois
Specialty: telementry
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: PPR
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: no
NonFriendlyHospital: no
Favoritecity: Athens Georgia
LeastFavoriteCity: St. Louis
Date: 05 Sep 2007
Time: 01:17:17

FirstTravelNurseExperience

nothnig really got floated alot

TellAFirstTimer

Name: John
ResidentState: MD
Specialty: Critical Care
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: FlexRN
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: ConTemporary Nursing Solutions
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: Bethesda
LeastFavoriteCity: Memphis
Date: 12 Sep 2007
Time: 18:31:48

FirstTravelNurseExperience

AWESOME with OR NURSES, INC

TellAFirstTimer

AVOID ConTemporary Nursing Solutions. Owners are unethical and very deceiving with their contracts. Bottom line,they look out for themselves.

Name: Shay
ResidentState: NH
Specialty: Med/Surg
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: NursesRX
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: NursesRX
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity:
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 15 Sep 2007
Time: 01:05:12

FirstTravelNurseExperience

The one thing I want to say is about my 4th assignment. I switched to NursesRX because I really liked the recruiter then he ended up not working before I even started my assignment. My housing was terrible, it was dirty, there was dog slobber on the sliding glass door, dog toys left in the apartment and was in an unsafe neighborhood with all the illegal immigrants. When my recruiter left I was told I did not have one recruiter, I had eight! So when all this was going on with the housing no one wanted to call me back. Long story short, I was homeless for two weeks living out of my car, they ended up forcing me to take the subsidy and find my own place. The enitre time I dealth with NursesRX about this they acted as though I was inconviencing them not the other way around. I would NOT recommend NursesRX.

TellAFirstTimer

Name: GG
ResidentState: NC
Specialty: Step-down, Tele
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Cross Country Travel Corp
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: Cape Fear Valley, Fayetteville, NC
Favoritecity: High point, NC
LeastFavoriteCity: Fayetteville, NC
Date: 17 Sep 2007
Time: 11:11:09

FirstTravelNurseExperience

Fun, exciting, nerve-wracking but learning experience....

TellAFirstTimer

Check on floating status & to what units...some will put YOUR license in jeopardy... Orientation to unit & know where ALL hospital policies & protocols are to be located at a moments notice.

Name: Tekoa
ResidentState: Tn
Specialty: Nicu
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Strategic healthcare
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: American Mobile
NonFriendlyHospital: Bay area in Corpus Christi
Favoritecity: washington, dc and san fran. ca.
LeastFavoriteCity: corpus christi
Date: 22 Sep 2007
Time: 12:39:33

FirstTravelNurseExperience

Fun, exciting completely under paid but a good experience.

TellAFirstTimer

To talk to as many people as possible and read your contract before they sign it.

Name: Cynthia
ResidentState: Arizona
Specialty: Med/Surg or Ambulatory Surgery
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: none
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: Sacramento
LeastFavoriteCity: Iowa City, Iowa
Date: 22 Sep 2007
Time: 22:29:31

FirstTravelNurseExperience

Scary, fun, fabulous, a true learning experience.

TellAFirstTimer

Name: Judy
ResidentState: Fla
Specialty: OB
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany:
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: yes
NonFriendlyHospital: Naples Community
Favoritecity: San Diego, Ca
LeastFavoriteCity: Crossville, Tn
Date: 30 Sep 2007
Time: 18:04:59

FirstTravelNurseExperience

We traveled from S. Fla to Ca in an RV with my husband and dog. It was very exciting to see new country while we traveled and settled in to a campground and located the hospital. The first day was a little scary but also exciting to meet new people, see how things worked there, and say "I am a travel nurse". We saw many places that we have only read, seen or heard about in the year we were in Ca. and made many wonderful memories together. The work experience has made me see and do some things differently, and take those to new places and share. I love the flexibility and adventures that travel nursing gives to us.

TellAFirstTimer

Name: Kathy
ResidentState: Idaho
Specialty: Tele
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: National Healthcare
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Medical Express and National Healthcare
NonFriendlyHospital: Kaiser, Santa Clara CA
Favoritecity: Seattle WA
LeastFavoriteCity: Santa Clara, CA
Date: 03 Oct 2007
Time: 18:32:52

FirstTravelNurseExperience

Was GREAT. I was at Oschner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans just 5 months after Katrina. Wonderful Hosp Great place to work.

TellAFirstTimer

Get contract signed BEFORE you leave for the assignment.

Name: Twana
ResidentState: Illinois
Specialty: L&D
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Trustaff
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Trustaff
NonFriendlyHospital: Not at this time
Favoritecity: Lake Jackson, TX
LeastFavoriteCity: None yet
Date: 05 Oct 2007
Time: 12:40:52

FirstTravelNurseExperience

A very new experience. Had to deal with the darker elements of Trustaff. Everything that Trustaff provides is out of your wages. They only have the tax advantage as an option, you could be looking at a very small paycheck. Changing recruiters and deal with different housing personnel but the hospital was great. The nurses are very traveler friendly as well as management. If you are looking for the small town feeling, this is the place.

TellAFirstTimer

Have everything in writing. Made sure that your recruiter answers all your questions to your satisfaction. Don't fall for the sales pitch. Take care of yourself because the company will not.

Name: Leslie
ResidentState: PA
Specialty: PCU
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: Beaufort , SC
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 19 Oct 2007
Time: 02:17:42

FirstTravelNurseExperience

I took the job in one week! My recruiter was wonderful and talked with me until I was ready to go. The hospital was filled with travel nurses and I had a great time!

TellAFirstTimer

Make sure everything you want is in your contract.

Name: Dawn
ResidentState: Wisconsin
Specialty: Acute Dialysis
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: Suite Is Fine
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Foundation Medical Staffing
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Yes
NonFriendlyHospital: No, dont necessarily think its the company but the recruiter
Favoritecity: Anchorage, AK
LeastFavoriteCity: Madison, Wisconsin
Date: 01 Nov 2007
Time: 15:31:55

FirstTravelNurseExperience

It was awesome! I appreciated many of the people I met there, at work and at play. Most seem "nicer" there than other places. I learned to cross country ski, caught my first Salmon, fell into the water and learned to dip net. I saw my first Moose and their babys! The summers are fantastic!

TellAFirstTimer

I think its a plus for a traveler to have a personality that works well either alone or with others as we never know whats going to happen on assignment. Also, being outgoing is helpful so you can initiate conversation as well as activities.

Name: Mia
ResidentState: OH
Specialty: PCU/ICU
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: NAPLES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Favoritecity: Raleigh
LeastFavoriteCity: Naples!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 04 Nov 2007
Time: 03:03:43

FirstTravelNurseExperience

Naples Community Hospital is an ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!! The director on my floor was compltely rude, unwilling to work with staff etc....!! The nurse to patient ratios are out of control!! They make you take a VERY hard written out test which is pass or fail...and if you fail , they cancel your contract on the spot!!! The housing is NASTY!! I can't say enough bad!! Worst ever! STAY AWAY!! TRAVELERS BEWARE!!!

TellAFirstTimer

GET IT IN WRITING!! AND STAY AWAY FROM NAPLES!!!

Name: CONNIE
ResidentState: ms
Specialty: OR/PACU/ENDO
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: none
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: not yet
NonFriendlyHospital: no
Favoritecity: birmingham , al
LeastFavoriteCity: none
Date: 07 Nov 2007
Time: 20:19:47

FirstTravelNurseExperience

my first assignment was in montgomery, al, at Jackson Hospital. they were very busy and very disorganized. the staff was friendly and worked very hard. and worked as a team. the surgeons were arrrogant and the reason i did not re=sign on.there are too many other places to work to put up with that type of treatment. birmingham was great!st vincents east . alot of great team players . the surgeons were mostly very nice and competent. i enjoyed working there. i was treated fairly like one of them. they taught me so much , but i had a 30 minute commute to work, because i was staying in my rv and that was the nearest park.

TellAFirstTimer

stay focused and work hard. dont take your work home with you. have fun.

Name: Kayci
ResidentState: NY
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile Healthcare
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Cirrus Medical Staffing
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: Charlotte. NC
LeastFavoriteCity: none
Date: 15 Nov 2007
Time: 00:13:04

FirstTravelNurseExperience

My first travel nursing experience was FUN!! I was so happy I had taken the risk and did. Taking that first assignment is half the battle. My first job was in NYC and was GREAT. I loved my recruiter, loved my apartment, loved the hopspital.

TellAFirstTimer

PLEASE..PLEASE...if you would like to be resigned at certain hospitals...be FLEXIBLE!!! That is one reason why hospitals higher travelers. The more flexible you are the more money they are willing to offer you and better scheduling. Be a team player...and WORK HARD and everything will run smoothly!!!