Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

David, I need some advice. I am planning a cross country assignment in Alaska, I live in Tennessee. What is the best way to handle negotiating a rental car needed that far away from home??

And how would you ship boxes of things you will need for the 3 months if it is so far you have to fly to get there?

Do agencies ever cover things as these and how do i ask without begging????

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

The first thing you need to know is if you will even require a rental car. What do you know about the area? What do you know about the hospital? Where will you be staying and how far will it be from there to the hospital? All of these things should factor into your decision.

Determine if you will need a rental car at all and then determine whether you need one the entire time or just when you will be working to get to and fro. Your travel company should be able to arrange a rental for you, but nothing in life is free. You will certainly see a lower hourly rate to compensate for that expense.

See how your travel company plays it. Tell them you will need a rental car while you are there and see what they say. Even if they are not willing to provide one for you, it might be an excuse to ask for a higher rate. You might say, “Well, $27 an hour is ok, but I’m definitely going to need a rental car”.  If they respond by saying, that is something that you will have to provide on your own, then you come back and say, “Then $27 an hour is just not going to cut it”. Nothing about a travel contract should be written in stone. If they wont budge, tell them you’ve spoken with another agency that does offer rental cars to their travelers. You’d be surprised what a company can accomplish once they think you might take a contract with someone else.

You will also want to see if you even need a car. Alaska has dramatically different areas. If you are in a big city, maybe mass transit might be the way to go. If it’s just a small town or village, then you might even be able to walk to work. Also, if there is enough to do locally, maybe you only need transport 3 days a week while working. In that case, a taxi might be the way to go. Research the area and find out what is available. Also, ask your recruiter if they have any other travelers that have worked, or are currently working, at that facility and if they can put you in contact with them to see what they do (or did) for transportation.

As for shipping, it’s as easy as the post office. When I worked in Hawaii, I had all of my diving equipment (that weighs quite a bit) and all I did was pack it in a box about one foot by one foot that stood about three feet high. I can’t recall, but I’d say it was a good $50-$60 to ship. However, I was on the island for about 10 months, so I did get the use out of it. Plus, this helps you decide what things are “MUST HAVES” while on assignment.

You could also take an extra suitcase or two, but might end up paying more to the air carrier than you would the post office.

You might also pack up another box of items you might need or want should you stay longer. Have the box ready to ship and then have a parent or friend ship it to you.

Long distance assignments do pose challenges, but if you plan accordingly, they need not be any different than any other assignment.

Hope this helps.

Check out website for the magazine, Real Simple and there you will find a section dedicated to new uses for everyday things. Today the site gives you 10 new uses for a lemon. I like lemon and use it a lot, but mostly for cooking and adding a little zing to my beverages, especially during the summer. But who knew you could use a lemon to whiten fingernails? Not me. This is just one example of how you can use everyday ordinary items in more than one way that you may be use to. It’s like drying out paper towels to use again, instead of just the one time – stretching out your dollars.

Storage

So what are some other things you can use, or reuse that will save you money? How about saving the big glass jars to use at a later date for storing leftovers like soup and other sauces – instant Tupperware! Now all you have to do is add a ribbon or some other decoration and you have the perfect start to a care package for a sick friend. Other things you can do with old glass jars is to use them to store other household and hardware items. Just slap a piece of masking tape and label it – though I think you’ll know what’s inside if it’s clear glass.

Cleaning with newspaper

Perhaps you subscribe to the newspaper wherever you are and hopefully you are recycling each and every issue and not just tossing them into the garbage. One thing you can do instead of recycling them is save them and use the paper to clean windows and glass. Never have  I seen cleaner glass than when I use the newsprint. Save your cloth and paper towels for other messes. You can also make your own glass cleaner which would obviously be better for the environment, by mixing white vinegar and water. Though it may not smell as nice as the popular glass cleaners out there, it does however have the same results. Crystal clear!

Reusing clothing and other fabrics

You should never ever have to throw away any article of clothing, there are tons of other ways you can reuse the fabric. If clothes don’t fit you anymore or you’re just tired of your wardrobe you can always donate them to a local charity. If the clothing is ruined and unwearable, you can save them and use them as rags for cleaning. You can also use them to make bedding for your pet. Take a large button-up shirt and tie the ends of the sleeves and then fill with other soft articles of clothing and turn it into a pillow or bed for your pets. This way it has a familiar scent that your pets will enjoy all the while giving them a nice soft place to rest their head. No more having to keep buying those fancy beds that get stained and ruined, instead just make your own and once you’re homemade bedding has run its course, make another.

One mans junk is another mans treasure.

Thrift stores, estate sales, swap meets & garage sales oh my

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. There’s nothing more fun than taking a lazy Sunday to cruise your local yard and estate sales. It’s so much fun rummaging through peoples pasts and all the while discovering things you never knew you needed, like the barely used ping-pong table I got for $50 – that unfortunately will not fit down my basement steps! Besides random purchases like that, these sales and thrift stores have an abundance of furniture and clothing that just might be perfect for you. Half the time the stuff you find is unique and built better than anything you can find new and that is affordable. All it takes is some creativity to recondition the furniture and presto! You have a new dresser that goes perfectly with your decor!

There are so many ways you can give new life to things others may deem dead. The fun is in the creativity it sparks within and how you can repurpose the things you already have. If you have some ideas you’d like to share with other travelers out there, by all means leave a comment below.

When you are working a strike, you should anticipate working just about every day. Occasionally, if you make it known that you are willing to work every day of the week, the company will guarantee a specific number of hours (I believe the last strike action I was notified of guaranteed at least 60 hours each week if I was willing to work all week). You can always request a day or two off, but most people who work strikes are there simply to work as much as they can. Most strike contracts ask for an initial commitment of a few weeks (it varies). After that, you can decide if you would like to stay and work more (should the strike continue), or just take the money and run. All of this depends on you and how taxing the assignment might be.

In my last post, I told you how your travel company should arrange for your transportation to your assignment location by arranging your flight and also taking care of the cost of that flight. In addition, the travel company should also be responsible for all your transportation to and from the facility during your assignment. Although this is usually standard operating practice during strike work, you should always verify this with your company prior to accepting the assignment.

One reason that your travel company will supply your transportation is to ensure your safety. When a facility is on strike, you might very well encounter people picketing. While crossing a picket line should be nothing like the images Hollywood tends to portray, you could still be dealing with people with heightened emotions. The best way to combat this is to simply avoid the people on strike. The hospital usually takes care of this by providing a designated entrance, to which your company should provide you a shuttle, which avoids any staff that might be picketing. Again, this is something you will want to verify with your travel company.

Often, you will arrive a day or two before the strike to attend a general hospital orientation. This will probably be a VERY condensed version of what you would normally receive. It will probably just be a “crash-course” in the way the hospital operates. It is also possible that on your first day you will report directly to the floor and begin working. Remember, this is a facility in crisis and they need everyone to get up speed quickly.

Your work environment may not be too much different than you are used to; or, it could be total chaos. Either way, you are responsible for safely caring for your patient. You need to have excellent skill in doing whatever needs to be done to give the best possible care to your patient. Every situation will be different and try not to sweat the little things. You might need to decide what things are a priority (like transfusing a unit of packed cells) versus things that can be overlooked (like making sure your patient gets a bath during your shift). While I am trying to paint a “worst-case scenario”, more than likely, this assignment will seem no different from any other.

Try to utilize the resources you have and inspire everyone to work together. You will be in the same boat as everyone else, but everyone reacts differently to stress. Try to lead those around you into working together to accomplish the goals of each shift (deliver the best patient care possible).

In case you were interested in the type of money we are talking about, I know of two actions currently in progress. Both pay $55 an hour for base and $82.50 for OT. If you only worked a 60 hour week, that would be $3850/week. However, if you accepted a two week contract at this rate, and worked every single day, then you would earn $11,660 for two weeks of work.

Money aside, you must realize that this can be difficult work. No two strike assignments will be the same, so be prepared for anything. If you’d like to read more about a day in the life of a strike nurse, you can check out the following link to read one nurse’s journal from an assignment at a striking facility.

Hospital in central IL needs 3 med-surg nurses for a 6 week assignments.

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

Great Hospital in VA is looking for some help in their CVICU.

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

Small Federal rural hospital in the scenic 4 corners area of Northeastern AZ close to the Canyon de Chelly National Park is looking for a Peds Travel RN to start April 5th or April 12th (unit may also consider a March 29th start if need be).

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

The first thing she mentioned was that it was a “float” position. In case you happen to be unfamiliar with the term, this simply means that you are required to work in different units during your contract. If you are in a large hospital setting for example, a critical care float position might entail working your shift in the ICU, CCU, SICU, or even the ER. If you are contracted for a “general float” position, depending on your experience, you might be required to float to all the aforementioned units, and additionally, telemetry or medical-surgical floors.

While some travelers enjoy the opportunity to work in several different areas, and often receive higher pay in such a position, I often discourage new travelers from taking an assignment where they will float extensively. This is due to the unique challenges that these positions involve.

When you are contracted for a float position, you simply fill the needs that the hospital has for the shift. This means that if you work three 12-hour shifts a week, you could find yourself working in three or more different units that week. While some travelers like the constant change of venue, it can be hard on the first-time traveler who is just beginning their career.

One reason for this is the need to function very independently. A nurse that only has experience working in a single unit might find it hard to develop relationships with staff members when you only work with them on an infrequent basis. Again, while there are travelers that enjoy rotating from unit to unit to break the monotony, I personally always like to have a “home” when I travel and working in one unit can certainly help you develop a sense of belonging.

Another issue, where I see new travelers run into difficulty, is when the assignment taken is an area of the country that was not among their top choices. This is a little hard for me to understand since my only reason for traveling is to see an area of the country that I choose. Sure, I have been in the position where I needed to take an assignment to keep the money coming in, but I have always managed to find a contract somewhere near a desired location.

One piece of advice I constantly give to new travelers is to take an assignment in a location where you would consider taking a vacation. I followed this very advice myself, fifteen years ago, when I took my first travel assignment in Hawaii. Ideally, I would like to see travelers take two or three assignments in locations where all they do is have fun on their days off.

Choosing a first travel nursing assignment can be a daunting task. But, by making a good first choice, you give yourself a chance to fall in love with the profession of travel nursing. After that, you can challenge yourself with some of the harder contracts.

If you fly to your location, whether you choose to use mass transit or not, there will probably come a time when you will want to rent a car. There are actually a few companies that advertise that they will pay for your car rental while on assignment. While this is true, you should weigh the benefit versus the cost.

While you might have a car provided or reimbursed through your company, as the saying goes, nothing in life is free. If you decide that you will take your company up on the offer of a rental car, be aware that you will not make the same hourly rate as if you declined this option. The difference, in my experience, can be anywhere from $3-$5 an hour, depending on your company.

On that high end, if you multiply $5 an hour, times the average 36 hour week, then multiply it times your 13 week contract, you are looking a over $2000 that could have been in your pocket rather than in a rental car. So, you will have to decide how important it is to have a car available 24/7.

Another option that I discovered when writing my book, is a company called Zipcar. This company offers an alternative to the conventional way we rent automobiles. After signing up for a membership with the company, you can rent a car by day, or, even by the hour! This is perfect for cities like New York or San Francisco where you might only need a vehicle for a few hours to go grocery shopping, but can either walk, or rely on mass transit, to get you to and from work.

Once you have a membership card, you can reserve a car online. The cars are parked in reserve spaces throughout major cities and since the spots are reserved, you never have to worry about having a parking spot when you return. It also means never having to wait at a rental car counter again.

Included in the price are a gas card (to fill up the car at any gas station), insurance, and mileage. To access a car after reserving one, you just hold your card up to a reader in the car and it unlocks the doors and allows the ignition to be start. The keys are hidden inside the car and safe since it can only be accessed by you. Time and mileage is downloaded from the car and simply billed to your account. Right now, the website shows cars in Phoenix renting for $8 an hour on the weekday, and a dollar higher on the weekend.

It’s a great concept and makes it easy to have access to a car in a big city like San Francisco or New York. To check out all the requirements, go to Zipcar.com.

As a traveler you have the opportunity to see so many different places and meet so many different faces. Each and every place different from the last and with the people it is no different. Here is where your ability to adapt is important. At the many hospitals in which you can work, you will meet a host of varied personalities and there will most likely come a time when you meet someone that you know will not be easy to get along with. So what do you do? You can’t just butt heads over and over, for this will certainly lead to bigger issues.

It all starts with your attitude. It makes all the difference in how we feel and how we will react to those who may do things a bit differently than what we might be use to. As a traveler you already know that it can be difficult at times to get fit to how your new facility and those who work there operate. We all have our ways and we should learn to appreciate the characteristics that make each of us unique. It would be a pretty bland place to live if we were exactly like each other. So when you are thrust into a team situation and one of your peers is going about a procedure in a manner you are not use to, don’t just react. Take a second and think about what really is bothering you about the situation. If there’s no harm being done and it’s simply them doing it differently than you, accept it. There’s not much you can do. If you thought maybe it could put a patient in harms way, by all means speak up. But if ultimately it’s just them doing it a way you may not, go with the flow.

By taking a second to think about the big picture and what it is that may be causing you to question the way others do certain tasks, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary stress. This stress ultimately will begin to affect your life and can turn any travel nursing assignment into a nightmare, especially if you will be working alongside the person(s) for a while. So the next time you want to blurt out something and “correct” someone, stop. Don’t do it. Take a minute, reflect and gauge with honesty. It can work wonders for your attitude.

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

That’s why I wanted to share a site that could offer you some help to make some of your travel challenges a little easier. WorkShifting.com is a site geared more toward remote office workers who travel and work out of places like coffee shops, hotels, airports and their homes, but it is full of great resources and articles that I think travel nurses (especially if you are a blogger or into social media yourself) could really use too.

As I dug through the site I saw a lot of potential for taking their advice about staying in contact with their companies and staff and applying it to staying in touch with your family and friends. One of the disadvantages of being a travel nurse is the disconnect from home, but by following some of their advice you could stay almost as connected as if you were home.

Take a look at let me know what you think.

Getting Ready
Before you leave, whether it be for a 3000 mile trip or 30 mile trip you should always have a look around your vehicle. Check the tires for proper pressure and for any abnormalities in the wear and make sure that all lights on the car are functional. There’s nothing worse than getting pulled over for a brake light out and having to pay for a ticket you could have easily avoided. When going on an extended trip, make sure you have the vehicle looked over by a trained professional, get an oil change and tune-up if need be. If you belong to a roadside assistance company like AAA, make sure you are up to date with your membership… Who knew towing a car could be so expensive?

When it comes to packing your car, it is very important that you carry a few essential items that can help if you so happen to have a break down. Always carry an emergency roadside kit, road atlas, first aid kit, tire jack, tire iron (make sure the spare tire is also fully inflated), tool kit and duct tape – you’d be surprised at the many uses of duct tape. Just ask my friend Gus, his wallet has been “repaired” with the help of the tape and now can surely withstand a nuclear holocaust. When it comes to packing your wears, make sure it is only those things in which you’ll need. The more weight you add to your car, the worse your gas mileage will be. So be smart and take only what you absolutely need. Pack a lunch or snacks that can keep you away from those enticing truck stops… Unless of course it’s for beef jerky. Then, by all means you must stop! You can never get enough of the “local flavor!”

It’s almost time to hit the road, so does everyone who needs to know (Family, staffing agency, housing management) know where you are going? When you expect to get there and so on? If you have a GPS system, make sure your coordinates are in place and do a little research as to what to expect weather wise. When you finally arrive to your destination, notify the important parties that you have made it safely, they’ll be glad to hear it.

On the Road
When driving, always wear a safety belt, make sure your mirrors are all positioned correctly and keep your doors locked at all times. If you are traveling alone, make sure when it comes to make a stop, especially in a interstate rest area, park in a well lit area with people nearby. Don’t stop for hitchhikers and if you are flagged down to stop, don’t. Instead, offer to help by using your cell phone or going forward and send help later. You just never know, nor do you want to find out.

When You Get There
You’ve finally made it, safe and sound to your new home for the next 13 weeks or so and the first thing you should do is let your loved ones know. You should have all the housing arrangements made prior to your arrival and now it’s time to unload. Keep a watchful eye around you and never prop open security doors while unloading your vehicle. Make your presence known and greet fellow neighbors and so forth but don’t get too comfortable quite yet. Look around the grounds and your building layout, make sure you know where the nearest fire escape is and make a plan for your escape during any emergency. Try not to reveal your apartment number or give away your full name until you’ve established some sort of “relationship.” As a travel nurse your housing is usually taken care of by the staffing agency and often times your temporary home is equipped with many amenities like a swimming pool or fitness center… You should definitely take advantage of those things while you can.

Beginning a new traveling nurse assignment is an exciting time, everything is fresh and new and the opportunities are abound. Make the most of your experience by following these traveling tips and you should be ready to begin your new assignment, stress free and with a full head of steam. I would love to hear more tips you may have involving traveling by ones self, it can only help our readers. Good luck and safe travels!

Here’s a previous article about traveling in the winter time… It is right around the corner and you surely don’t want to be left in the cold.
Winter Driving Tips

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

Jeff brings up a good point about securing an assignment for the new year, but what about those that are willing to work through the Holiday season?

Let’s face it, no one likes working on what some call the “Big Three” (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years), but we also work in a profession that does not close its doors just because of a holiday. However, those that are willing to work on these days, or accept a travel contract just prior to the Holiday season, might be able to take home a little extra cash by doing so.

I recently heard from a traveler that just accepted an assignment with an early December start date. She received an upfront bonus for signing up prior to the Holidays. Keep in mind that if you do receive such a bonus, you are almost certainly saying that you will be willing to work each holiday shift. For some with families, this just does not work. But, if you do not mind working Holiday shifts, this could be an opportunity to make an extra $500 or even $1000.

Some travel nursing companies will also pay double time or added incentives for working on Holiday shifts. I recall a past year when one of the companies I was working for paid an extra $1000 for the traveler that worked the most overtime in the month of December.

If you are currently coming to the end of your assignment, you can do as Jeff suggests and secure your next contract beginning in the new year, or you can try cashing in by signing a contract starting prior to the often “hard-to-cover” Holiday shifts.

Who can blame you, really? You don’t want to end up being the new kid on the block and getting scheduled to work any of those days by taking a new travel nursing job during the holiday season. And with all the fun holiday traditions going on and the countless gifts you want to buy people, this is not the time of year you want to be on the phone with recruiters, completing paperwork and doing phone interviews.

But really this is the perfect time to start looking for that next travel nursing assignment. As hospitals start to plan their budgets and look at their staffing needs for the new year they are starting to post January jobs. As a travel nurse this means that it is a great time to start lining up that position for next year by beating the competition to the best jobs.

Having your January travel nursing job already lined up early can actually help you enjoy the holidays more by letting you relax and know you have gotten it taken care of. And if you are like most of us you have all those gifts to pay off. So why not give yourself the present of a travel nursing job?

Yes, the holidays are a great time to reconnect with friends old and new and a wonderful opportunity to catch up with the family. Times like these are not to be taken for granted and we should be very thankful that we get these chances… But what if you’re one of the “unlucky” ones who has to work or is away from home? What can you do to make this time as memorable as if you were with you loved ones?

So you’re on a new travel nursing assignment, 2000 miles away from home. You have Thanksgiving off but you have to work the next day and there is no way possible for you to make it home to spend time with your family. Okay, well just because you won’t be home to have any of your mom’s famous green bean casserole doesn’t mean it won’t be something you can look back on one day and say, “That was a great time!” So what can you do to make your Thanksgiving something to be thankful for? This is a great chance for you to really get to know your fellow coworkers and you can do so by proposing to have a potluck dinner at your place. Have all those bring a dish and you can provide the bird. Whatever works.

Another way in which you can spend your time over this holiday while out on a traveling nurse assignment is by volunteering your precious time. You obviously have been blessed with gifts in which you are able to provide for yourself and if you have one, your family. As we all know, there are many who are not as fortunate as you and I and what better way to give back and be thankful at the same time? You can help out at a local open door mission and serve dinner, set-up a food drive for the local food bank and so much more – all it takes is a couple hours out of your day. There are a number of sites that can point you to volunteering opportunities all over the country like VolunteerMatch, Serve and The American Red Cross. So no matter where you land with your next travel nursing job, there will always be someone or some organization in need.

We have much to be thankful for in our lives and what better way to express that by giving back? I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are lucky enough to be headed home, safe travels, and to those of you who are stuck… Remember, you’re alive, you have your health, love; you have much to be thankful for.

Some of the most popular reading devices are:

• Amazon’s Kindle
• Barnes and Noble’s Nook
• Sony’s Reader

Their prices can range anywhere from $199 to $500 depending on which one you are looking at. Here are some review sites to help you decide which device you want to take on your next travel nursing job:

Kindle Reviews

• CrunchGear Kindle Review
• Engadget Kindle Review 
• The Gadgeteer Kindle Review

Nook Reviews

• Wired Nook Review 
• CNET Nook Review
• PC Mag Nook Review

Reader Reviews

• CNET Sony Reader Review
• Mobile Tech Review Sony Reader Review
• ZDNet Sony Reader Review

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

Click here to learn more about this travel nursing job.

Most seasoned travel nurses can tell you the options available at the end of a travel contract, but if this is your first assignment, you might be left wondering, “What now?”

As your contract draws to an end, you should actually be thinking about this question long before your final work day. In fact, you might even be able to exercise some options only a short time into your contract.

One possibility at the end of your contract is to extend. Actually, this is probably the most frequently used option as most travelers prefer to stay in locations they like. If you know this is going to be the case, talk to your unit manager (or the person who was responsible for your travel contract) as soon as possible just to let them know that you would be interested should the opportunity for an extension be available.

When I travel to Hawaii, I usually stay anywhere from six to eleven months at a time. I have asked unit managers how long they thought they would need me only weeks into my contract. On my last trip, I was able to extend my contract by three months while only in my first few weeks of a thirteen week assignment. You won’t be able to do this on most assignments, but it never hurts to ask.

Typically, you should approach your manager about extending a month before your contract end date. This gives them enough time to know that you are interested, as well as giving them enough time to know what their staffing needs might be for the unit. It also never hurts to let your intentions be known earlier. Most managers are not allowed to come to you to ask if you would like to extend (it’s viewed as recruiting). So whenever you feel that you would like to extend, let it be known and then follow up a month away from your end date.

Another option that should be exercised about a month before your end date is choosing another assignment. Some assignments may take weeks to interview and confirm. You can always call and speak to your recruiter and see for what dates hospitals may be posting assignments.

A final option might be that you wish to stay and become staff. Some locations actually make it known that travelers can only renew a certain number of times before they need to become staff or find another assignment. This happened to me on an assignment in California after several extensions. They figured if I liked it enough to stay, I should become staff. Unfortunately, I could never have afforded an apartment in the Los Angeles area without my company footing the bill, so I had to move on.

Whatever your choice, plan early and involve your recruiter (and unit manager if the choice is to stay). A good recruiter is there to help you whatever your decision might be.