Come enjoy the beaches of eastern FL!

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Watch this video to see all the exciting things there are to do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

OR RN traveler needed for a 13 week travel assignment near Sheboygan, WI.

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Watch this video to see the beauty of Wisconsin.

2012 will be a big year for us. We have started a web design business and two travel blogs. Additionally, we are considering the purchase of a large motor home so that we can become permanent travelers. That right there lets you know how we feel about travel nursing, but let’s go back to the beginning.

We became full-time travelers in October of 2011 and were recently asked about what led us into this lifestyle.  Was there a firm decision and moment of clarity that set our feet on the road? Sure, but it came after finally acknowledging the existence of, and giving in to, our own gypsy natures.

There is also a depressing aspect of our journey that, in my opinion, follows the decline of American manufacturing. As a maintenance electrician, I have witnessed the fall with my own eyes. I was one of the last to go as I watched Cessna Aircraft cut 10,000 workers in Wichita. Thus, with broken loyalty and fresh wounds, I quit my next job two months before they shut the plant down and absorbed the business into another facility. I couldn’t watch it happen again, but as you can imagine, it did.

Long story short, it was time for a career change. At some point during all of this, I went back to college for Web Design and started taking classes online.

Looking back, I can see that we were already “amateur” road warriors. In our 17 years of marriage, Melissa and I have moved 14 times and have lived in 7 cities. I literally dragged the poor woman all across the Midwest while I went from one manufacturing plant to the next.

What we learned is that dodging lay-offs and continually working for struggling companies places a huge burden on the entire family. The sad truth is that we have only been able to work the same hours for 6 of the last 18 years, and take one vacation per decade. It hurts because, after shopping, sightseeing is her passion in this world.

I can see now that we were damaging her resume while trying to maintain high wages and provide for the family. Because of this, Melissa has worked for seven different hospitals in the last five years prior to taking her first travel assignment.  We can joke about it now and refer to it as “travel training”.

As the situation and our emotions were heating up, here is a picture of where we were at:

• We had sold our last home 2 years earlier.
• Our current lease was coming up.
• Junior had gone off to college recently, so we were empty-nested.
• My “new” job required us to go days without seeing each other.
• Most importantly, Melissa was fed up with our lives and lack of adventure.

For as long as it takes Melissa to make a decision, the world sure moves when she finally does. Maybe she was just waiting for me to throw in the towel. I still don’t know, but here is how it went down.

I came home from work one day and said, “I give up. Manufacturing no longer provides an acceptable future. It’s time to deliver pizzas or something until I graduate.” She must have seen it coming because her reply was several steps ahead of me. She says, “Well, I have been speaking with a nursing recruiter lately, and I want you to be my Sherpa. You can finish college, take care of everything, and drive me to work every day while I make the money.”  Since Cessna took all my manly pride during my first layoff, all I said was, “do you want me to wear an apron?”

We were packed and headed for the mountains two weeks later and have slept in the same bed at the same time every day since leaving. Feels kind of like being married for a change.

You’d be surprised what all there is to do right in your backyard and surrounding areas if you just do a little research. Taking time to step outdoors to enjoy the ideal summer weather to attending a local festival or fair, there are plenty of ways to make the most of summer—without spending a lot of time or money!

The Great Outdoors

Wherever it is that you live you can find a multitude of activities to get you outside and moving this summer. Make the most of the sunny days ahead cool off by visiting your local pool or waterpark, or, if you want to be a little more active check out a State or National Park that may be nearby and hike some trails or maybe do a little horseback riding.

This time of year is perfect for trying out a new activity or sport. Depending on where you’re located, maybe try your hand at some water sports like water skiing or surfing. You could even look to rent a canoe or kayak too. If you’re land-locked, why not get yourself a bicycle and hit some local trails, couple that with a few friends and a picnic and you’ve got yourself one fun day!

If you’re more inclined to observe than partake, then see if there are any local sports teams to catch. The summer is chock full of Major League Baseball games as well as Major League Soccer, so see if any teams are close-by and perhaps make a little roadtrip of it. If sports isn’t your bag, check out some local festivals or farmer’s markets. This time of year is also a great time for music lovers as there are a wealth of music festivals and concerts coming up. Check out Pollstar.com to see if any of your favorites are coming through your town or to a nearby locale.

If you’d rather keep outdoor activities to a minimum, why not set up lounge chair in the backyard and start a new book. Maybe fire up the grill and have an impromptu BBQ with some close friends. This is what summer is all about!

Staycation

Check out local campgrounds in your area for summer fun.

There’s much to do during the summer months and you’d be surprised at just how much your own town has to offer. With gas prices on the rise, staying close home makes more sense than ever and who knows, you just may discover a new love for your hometown. I know when people ask me about the city I live in and what there is to do, I haven’t done probably half of them…So check out the museums and parks and peruse your local rags for weekend events as there seems to be some sort of celebration going on all the time.

Maybe you want to get away, but really can’t afford the time so why not hole up in a local bed & breakfast for the weekend, or check in to a local hotel and enjoy all the amenities it has to offer that you normally wouldn’t have a chance to otherwise. There’s nothing better than being waited on hand and foot. Did somebody order room service?

I know from experience I do not like camping, but will do it if need be, I mean if it’s really, really necessary. I don’t want to explain, but I had an experience as a 5 year old that has stuck with me since. I hear camping with friends is a good time and there are many State and National Parks all around, each offering something unique. If sleeping in a tent doesn’t sound like fun, check out the availability of cabins for rent. While traveling is a big part of summer, you can even look to get a summer rental home. Gather some of your closest friends, pick a good location and voila, you have yourself a summer activity that’s sure to be fun!

Summer is a part of the year I think many people look forward to and it’s the best time to get outside and enjoy yourself. With some careful planning and research, you can keep yourself and your friends busy, all the while having the time of your lives! So get out there and soak up those rays!

Obviously, if you are like me and drive to every assignment, transportation should not be an issue once you arrive. If you do choose to drive, you should always have a road atlas in your vehicle and I strongly recommend getting either a GPS enabled phone or a unit for your car. These become invaluable pieces of navigation in unfamiliar cities.

Now if you choose to arrive by other means, like flying for example, then you will need to figure out how you are going to get around once you get there.

The most basic way is by using your own two feet. When I worked in San Francisco, I walked to work every night. Of course this only works if you are in fact within walking distance to where you will be working. If not, you will probably be using public transportation.

Public transportation will require some research in advance. First, you will want to make sure this is even an option. When I worked a travel assignment on Maui, I learned that on that particular island, there is no real mass transit system in place. However, in most major cities, you will have one or more options in mass transit.

Buses and trains will probably be the most frequently encountered forms of transportation. Both of these will require careful planning as you will need to find a station or stop near where you will be living as well as where you will be working.

If you are traveling to a city with a subway system, the Internet can be a big help in finding your way. For example, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York maintains a website with subway, train, and bus schedules (http://www.mta.info/). It also includes detailed maps for the transit routes.

Regardless of the method of transportation in your assignment city, a little forethought can go a long way toward reducing the stress associated with finding your way around in a new location.

Over at MartyNemko.com, there is a long list of some of the different personality types and behaviors you may come across. For each he offers a possible solutions or at least something you can try before you may have to get superiors involved.

More specific to nursing there at AllNurses.com there is a forum in which this topic is discussed in depth. How to deal with the lazy charge nurse all the way to dealing with a chatty Cathy.

You never know exactly what’s in store for you during your travel nursing assignment and what your colleagues personalities will be like. You can pick where you go, but unfortunately you cannot pick those with whom you’ll be working alongside with. The best solution is always communication. Take the person in question off to the side, away from any other eyes and ears and try and work on an answer the both of you can agree upon. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of “will it ever end?” so before it goes to far, take a stand. Hopefully this will make your assignment fly by instead of crawl… And who knows, you may end up becoming friends with those who annoyed you because you got to know them instead of avoid them.

In my personal experience I’ve been blessed with all that I’ve mentioned above… The family, friends, a hometown I’m familiar with and so much more. It’s easy and somewhat sad to see why so many decide to stay close to home and I know I’m guilty of this as well. However, it’s not that I won’t leave my home base to see what else is out there. I too have been lucky enough to travel the world. I do know what else is available to me and often dream of leaving this place to start anew. Again, easier said than done. It’s a tug-of-war between my emotions and reality. If there was someway for a Marketing Specialist to travel to different destinations for a short period of time while still being employed and earning good money, I’d do it! Just to see what it’s like. However I don’t think there’s much of Marketing shortage, but there definitely is a nursing shortage! This is where you come in…

There is a dire need for nurses all across the country and in some respects all around the world. As a nurse, this can work greatly to your benefit and you can really take advantage of what this great industry has to offer nurses like yourself. Like I said, deciding where you’d like to relocate, if that’s what you’re wanting to do, can be a tiresome battle with oneself. Let alone if you have others in your life like a husband/wife to consider when making such decisions. This is where travel nursing can be of great benefit. For 13 weeks at a time, you can choose to travel to just about anywhere your travel agency you’re working with has openings. You can even expand travel possibilities by working with more than one travel nursing company, which is what a lot of travelers do. There’s nothing wrong with having options, but having too many could make it confusing. As long as you have an idea of what it is you’re looking for in relocating, travel nursing can be the solution.

13 weeks seems just long enough to get a feel for what these new places will have to offer you and those in tow. You will be able to research what it’s like for families and singles alike. You’ll have time to make friends with those who already live there and will have an “insiders” take. All the more to help you make the right decisions if and when you’re ready to finally make that move. You can get a good feel of what the people in the community and surrounding areas are like and so on, all at 13 weeks at a time. The world has so much to offer us, it’s a shame that a lot of us don’t take the time to discover exactly what that is. Travel nursing gives you that chance and who knows, you just might fall in love with a place you never dreamed of. Yes, things can always get better, but that’s for you to decide. There’s nothing wrong with home, but you can make a home no matter where you are.

If you’re still uncertain of places you’d like to visit on a trial basis, check out a few of these websites. Maybe they’ll be able to sway you one way or another…

FindYourSpot is the best way to discover your perfect hometown… just tell us your ideal and we’ll find the best candidates for you.

Best Cities For Singles 2009 by Forbes magazine.

The Best Places to Raise Children

In most cases, travel nurses are provided with housing and/or given a housing allowance. Before you leave for your new assignment it would be wise to gather as much information on your furnished housing from your recruiter. Ask your recruiter about furnishings, linens and the atmosphere surrounding your new living space. If you have to stay in a hotel, make sure you choose a national chain – these typically have guidelines to keeping rooms clean and could face harsh consequences if done otherwise. There have been many lawsuits in regards to dirty rooms, diseases, mites and bedbugs. Gross. If where you are assigned does not have a national chain of hotels available, try a locally owned bed & breakfast type place. A place with a small amount of rooms available usually translates to being much cleaner than most places you could stay at.

Upon arrival at your new living quarters do a thorough inspection of the space. If you have a digital camera, take pictures of previous damage done, anything questionable that could arise as a problem later (holes in walls, leaks, stains, etc…) take a picture and save it for future reference. Literally check up and down, side to side. If where you’re staying has provided bed linens, remove the bedspread and check the sheets for cleanliness and inspect for fleas, bedbugs, mites… Look for tiny blood spots and black stains. If those are present, you don’t want to sleep in that bed. If you feel your provided housing is questionable at best, immediately call your recruiter and request that you either be moved or have the issues at hand fixed right away.

You lead a mobile lifestyle and implementing these measures into your lifestyle is a great way to make sure you are stay healthy as well as those you come into contact with on a daily basis. By practicing personal hygiene and closely evaluating your living quarters, you’ll protect your own well-being so you can better care for others.

When you accept an assignment, it is usually in a place where you want to see the sites and experience what the area has to offer. This will often lead a person to study up on the location and map out the attractions they want to see. However, you must also remember to map out the places that will be a necessity on your assignment, like the grocery store. If you plan ahead, you’ll know right where to find one. Looking up directions to grocery stores, gas stations, hair or tanning salons, and electronic or houseware stores before you arrive can help you familiarize yourself with the city of your new assignment.

Remember to include not only the places that you think you will need, but also the places that you hopefully will not need such as auto repair shops, local insurance agents, doctors, or emergent care centers.

To find detailed directions to just about anything, the Internet will probably be your biggest asset. In addition to mapping out routes to the places you will need, use a site like Google Maps to take a peak at an overview of the city. This will help you to see how the city is laid out and if there are areas that may be tricky to navigate.

Most of these functions can also be done on a GPS unit. You can now find GPS units for under $100 and for the frequent traveler, they are invaluable. Just be sure to update the maps in your unit about every six months or at least every year. If you do not have GPS, you can always purchase a street guide to the city once you arrive (usually available at any gas station convenience store).

Whether you use today’s modern technology (Internet and GPS), or still prefer to “kick it ol’ school” (maps and city guides), a little pre-assignment planning can certainly remove one of the stressors of starting a new travel nursing assignment.

All these popular destinations have a lot to offer the traveler, and it’s no wonder they also attract a lot of tourists from around the world. It all depends on you and what you like. If you want to be where everyone else and their mother is working and vacationing, then yes, go ahead and pick places like Los Angeles or Miami, Florida. But if you want to have access to things like beaches and mountains and whatever else, why not pick somewhere that isn’t the first place that comes to mind. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed. You may find yourself on a tucked away beach with only a few people in sight with white sand and perfect waves galore and it can become your little secret.

With 50 states to choose from, the hidden treasures are endless. There’s nothing wrong with choosing places with a little more reputation to it, but don’t forget about trying out those little gems. Besides all the activities that travel nursing has to offer you at the different locations, there’s also the people and culture to discover. Travel nursing is not a typical occupation, so why pick a typical destination? The nursing shortage hasn’t hit only major cities, it’s everywhere. Your help and expertise will be well received in towns and communities across this great country and there are many alternatives out there no matter what your desires are… With travel nursing you are sure to uncover them all, 13 weeks at a time.

The nursing shortage may be “lessened” by the recession, but it is no way disappearing anytime soon. There are jobs out there for nurses and the way the economy is now, it would not be wise to be too choosy when it comes to keeping the income, well coming in. One thing about travel nursing is there will always be work in all reaches of these United States. The locations that need help may not be the most glamorous but I assure that they are probably within reach to enjoy on your off times. Travel nursing is sure to give you refuge from the uncertainty of the job market today. All you have to do is be a little more open minded.

Besides all the benefits of living in all these new places there is of course the benefits provided by your staffing agency. There are so many extras provided to travel nurses that I can’t list them all, but I will mention a few of the best ones. It is a fact that traveling as a nurse, you will earn more than if you were in a perm position. One of the reasons you earn more is because you are not paying for many of your living expenses such as housing. Many agencies also help with your travel expenses as well. These all add up and before you know it you are earning yourself quite the comfortable living situation.

Of course working as a travel nurse earns you great benefits and some of them are intangible. You have many choices when it comes to travel and these can lead to many great working experiences. You may end up working in specialties you never have before and gaining experience and knowledge to last a lifetime. There are so many places to see and many more people to meet. Even if you just befriend one person on your next assignment, you still will have gained something far more valuable than anything money could buy.

So you see, the job market is not as bleak as once thought because you never thought of travel nursing before! There are jobs out there for nurses and other healthcare professionals, you just have to be open to relocation. Once you get past that… There is no stopping you.

If you have a favorite band and would like to know where they are headed next, check out Pollstar.com. You can either search by artist, band, city or venue and it is updated constantly with news about various artists and musical events.

Another source for tracking down where your favorite artists will be playing next is TicketMaster.com. Here you can also search by city, state, artist or venue and then take the next step to purchase tickets to the events.

So pack up your tour bus (or your car), hit the road and discover all the great music and hospitals this fine country of ours has to offer.

In most facilities when the unit census is low, the travelers will be the first nurses to float to other units. However, this is another one of those rules that will depend on the facility in which you work; the way this rule is applied will also differ.

Some hospitals will deem travelers as outside staff or agency employees, while others will consider travelers the same as their regular staff. However, it seems that when it comes to floating, a traveler will almost always be the first one called to do so.

If there are a large number of travelers in your unit, the charge nurses should keep a record of the floats. This way they can at least make sure that among the travelers, everyone has their turn. In some hospitals they might even put the travelers into the float rotation with the regular staff; however, in over a decade of travel, I believe I have only worked at one facility that did this. You can always try to negotiate a contract where you are not required to float, but this too will be a rarity.

Before you accept a position with a hospital, you should ask in the interview what their float policy is in regard to travelers. You should also ask which units you might be asked to cover. For example, on my current contract, as a critical care nurse, I am only asked to cover other critical care areas in the hospital, and not tele or med-surg.

If you are ever asked to float to an area that is outside your scope of practice, you must seriously consider what it is you are being asked to do. For example, if I was ever asked to float to OB, I would want to know what was required of me. If they told me they just needed someone to help out and possible start an IV or two, I would have no problem with that float. However, if they wanted me to take patients who were on fetal heart monitors or immediate post delivery, I would have to tell them that it was a float with which I would not be comfortable, and decline.

Never let a charge nurse or nursing supervisor pressure you into a float that is clearly outside your scope of practice. After all, it’s YOUR license and it’s doubtful that anyone else will take the responsibility to protect it.

No matter the length of your trip from point a to point b, there are sure to be many things to see, do and of course eat! While on the road you may want to try and stick to a certain schedule but as we all know, things can and will usually not happen as you so desire. It’s easy to want to try and keep your stops to a minimum and running through a drive-thru may seem like a good idea, but in reality it can really add up and have you reaching for your Tums. So instead of super-sizing value meal #4, why not head into town off the beaten path and find a locally owned and operated cafe or restaurant. They are sure to have some money saving specialties and your tummy will thank you. But if you must keep to a schedule, there are other means to save yourself some bucks while keeping your body fueled for the long haul ahead of you.

I admit I am not the greatest of bargain shoppers. Whenever we have to make a stop for gas or the more important potty break, I am guilty of always buying something, anything from that convenient store and for some reason I really like to sample the local flavors in the beef jerky department. So you buy a snack and a soda and already you’ve spent around $4. The best thing you can do to avoid these impulse purchases is one, stay away from stopping at a convenient store or gas stations (unless of course you need gas!), try and hold off for a state run rest stop. Second, buy all your snacks and beverages ahead of time and store them neatly in a cooler or other container. That will definitely save you some money, plus you get more for it!

Now no road trip is complete without spending the night in motel or for the rugged, a campsite. Nothing says stay here like “Free HBO.” Some motels even offer free breakfasts and that would be a great way to start your next day of traveling. For overnight stays I recommend you do your research prior to taking off. Try your hand at bidding on your own price at Priceline.com. See what hotel chains are available along the path you plan to take, seek out the deals via the internet or for the real cost effective method, try a night or two camping. If you’re a AAA member or AARP you can be assured some sort of discounted prices at participating motel chains and the like.

While researching places to stay along your planned route you should also check for the best gas prices. Here’s a site that does just that. GasBuddy.com. Now besides finding the cheapest gas, here are a few methods to help keep you on the road longer.

Follow these few simple gas-saving tips to save a lot of road trip money which you can use to buy more beef jerky. I know in the summer it can get hot, especially if you’re heading out west. If you can stand it, turn off the AC — it hogs the gas faster than you can say, “Four dollars a gallon?!” If you must use it, try just occasionally switching between AC and rolling down the windows.
Another method less thought of would be to ease off the gas pedal well before a stop sign and coast to a stop; take off in a mellow manner. Burning rubber burns gas needlessly. Also, make sure you inflate your tires close to max — carry a teeny tire gauge and read the tire’s side. Finally the biggest and most obvious expense to avoid is getting a speeding ticket. I know you want to get there, but why get there upset and with $200 less in your pocket.

Hopefully you can apply any and all of these tips on your next adventure on the road. Also, if you discover some great jerky out there, by all means tell me… I will plan accordingly!

Next Friday be sure to come back to TravelNursingBlogs.com when we will have a first-time surprise guest author. The topic will be sure to “move” you!

Now, travel nursing companies may differ here in how this process works. Some recruiters may also be contacting the hospital on your behalf while other companies may have these roles split out between two different departments. There are advantages to both systems, which I will be writing about in a later post, but basically one set up will be able to make the claim that the person selling you to the hospital will know you better, while the other will be able to promise that they will know the hospital better and their needs better and thus give you and the hospital a perfect fit. So if this difference is going to be important to you then you will want to find out how the travel nursing agency you choose to travel handles this.

Some companies are going to be very selective in where they submit you, while others may be more scatter-shot in where your profile is submitted. Good travel nurse companies will be the selective ones, I have heard of unhappy traveling nurses who have been called by hospitals they didn’t even know they were being submitted to in locations or hospital environments that they are not particularly interested in working in. Find out up front how the travel nursing company you are looking at handles this process, so you don’t have any surprises.

What you really need to do at this point in the travel nursing process is really just to prepare for the next step, the travel nursing interview.

Sorry fellas, this magazine looks geared toward women with articles like “advice on hair, skin, nails, makeup, and more tips by and for nurses,” but there is still a lot valuable information in it for you, particularly in their Work and Money sections. And there is a great article on Male Nurse Myths that I think they could look into expanding into its own section. 

The one thing I like is how easy the site is to find your way around and since it is all online (at least as far as I can tell) it is great for travel nurses, so you don’t have to worry about cancelling or changing subscriptions every three months.

Although it is not aimed at travel nursing specifically it does have some content aimed at travel nurses like a checklist for your first day on a travel nurse job. Check this newnursing magazine out and let me know what you think.

When you’re on the road, you can’t really worry about improving your house to increase equity. You don’t worry about job promotions or raises. You live from assignment to assignment. It’s that simple.

So if I can leave you with one last piece of advice for your travel nursing career, it would be this: learn to enjoy the journey.

• When you’re traveling to and from assignments, enjoy the drive. Don’t just try to get from A to B as quickly as possible. If you’re driving through Wisconsin, stop at a farm to pick apples. If you’re driving through California, detour to a state park on the beach and take a private walk along the coast of the Pacific. If you’re driving through Arkansas, stop at the welcome center and enjoy a free cup of coffee, a roaring fire, and all the information you could ever want about The Natural State. Driving from assignment to assignment can either be a boring task or a relaxing vacation.
• When you’re on assignment, take the time to soak in the culture of wherever you are. Each state, each city, each town is different. Eat at local diners, hike the state parks, and visit an art gallery featuring local artists. Very few people get the opportunity to spend three months at a time in various cities across the country. Learn about the history of each place. Meet as many people as possible.
• Finally, enjoy your rare time at home. It’s so easy to fall into the world of to-do lists when you finally make it back home. Between unpacking, repacking, car tune-ups, and the long lists of people to visit, time at home can quickly become nothing more than a stressful stop on the way to your next destination. Don’t let it be that way.

With all of its challenges and trials, traveling has still been the most rewarding and fun experience of my life. I wouldn’t trade this time for anything. Enjoy it.

Courtney
Adventures in Travel Nursing

We are sad to say that this was the final article in Courtney’s Guest Series. We hope to have her back some time, but in the meantime visit her blog Adventures in Travel Nursing to read more of here great insight into the travel nursing life.

How did you know you wanted to become a nurse and when did you realize that was the career path for you? What drove you to make it where you are today? From what I’ve heard, nursing is a wonderful profession and is very rewarding. Plus, you won’t have many worries in terms of finding a job. However, if you are a travel nurse, you may find that last statement a difficult one to swallow as of late. That too, can be a subject of further discussion.

Anyways, I’m curious as to what drove you to become a nurse because of a story I read coming out of Arizona. A young woman is graduating this year from Arizona State University at the age that most people are just entering college! She is the youngest person to ever graduate from the university’s nursing program. She’s the “Doogie Howser” of nursing. You can read the article, “Teen is ASU’s youngest nursing-school grad” here. It’s quite the story and I believe her reasons for becoming a nurse are on point with what many others would probably cite as their reasons for doing so as well. But, do you think she’ll have all the emotional tools necessary for dealing with countless issues that arise for a nurse? This is what I’m interested in. I have no doubt in my mind that she’s a bright and gifted person, it’s just at that young age, has she experienced enough in her own life so that she can relate with patients and families? I don’t know. What do you think?

I just ran across a site that if properly used could become a huge tool for travel nurses everywhere. NurseRatings.org. I don’t know if the creator of  this site, which has the tag line “Nurses helping Nurses,” meant it to be for travel nursing or just a great tool for nurses everywhere, but whatever the intent, the potential use for travel nurses is huge. Imagine being able to learn first hand from travel nurses just like you what they thought of a hospital during their time there during a travel nursing assignment. And don’t forget the valuable feedback from the perm nurses that work there too.

No matter what your goals for being a travel nurse it is important to know a lot about the hospital you are going to work at. You will want to evaluate on culture, technology and clinical skills, management style, etc. And NurseRatings.org lets you rate on the:

• Doctor to Nurse Relationship
• Nurse to Nurse Relationship
• Pay
• Location
• Nurse Management
• Professional Development

Plus it has a comments section where nurses can add anything else they would like. Rating does not require a log in or even using your real name, which is one of the strengths and weaknesses of review sites. On the one hand the anonymity can let people speak up who may not normally, but can also lead to abuse. But overall I think it is a good system that is easy to use.

But the best part may be how easy it is for you as a travel nurse to go in and rate hospitals you have worked at. The site is very user friendly. It is grouped by state with a simple to use map, as long as you are familiar with US geography, which if you are a travel nurse I assume you are. This is a great option if you want to browse a state you are considering taking a travel nursing job in, but if you are looking for a specific hospital to read about or rate, there is a easy to use search tool.

The biggest drawback of the site so far is that there does not appear to be many ratings available and currently no real incentive to do so, other than the good old fashioned nature of people who like to share their opinion. If there were some sort of social networking aspect to it or rewards system to spur reviews I think it would grow faster, but it is still very new so you just have to give it time and be a willing user yourself. Ratings sites like these are only worthwhile if people use them so I suggest you start using it today, it is a really good way to educate yourself and other travel nurses about the hospitals they may be taking their next travel nursing job.