Whether you are currently a travel nurse or tech, or investigating it, this book is for you. Since 2002, Barry and Donna Padgett have lived the dream: traveling America and letting someone else pay for it! They share all the in's and out's of being a successful traveler. From choosing agencies to getting that first assignment to hitting the road. It's all covered here. It also contains 64 pages of full color photos showing some of their adventures. This quality hardcover book featuring true offset printing is a must for every traveler's library.
Prologue - A short narrative about the authors and the book.
Part 1 - What's It All About? The first part describes the traveling healthcare industry and how it began. It helps you evaluate your situation and decide if traveling is right for you. It includes the roles of facilities, agencies, and travelers. Also included are the characteristics of a good traveler, advantages and disadvantages of traveling, and traveling with others (including your pet). Factors involved in filling openings, areas of expertise needed, seasonal assignments, independent contracting, and internet resources are also discussed.
Part 2 - The Nuts and Bolts of Traveling. Describes the "nitty gritty" issues important to every traveler. Such as housing issues, options, and costs, details of benefits offerred, how tax advantage programs work, taxes, what to look for in your contract, calculating your paycheck, the pitfalls of working less than full time, licensing, your 401(k), and other issues.
Part 3 - Ready to Take the Plunge? Do you think traveling is right for you? Are you ready to take that giant step forward? If so, Part 3 gets your career off to a good start. It helps you choose and apply to agencies, negotiate and finalize your assignment, and helps prepare you to pack up and hit the road. It also includes a discussion of bill rates, and how your wages, benefits, and tax-free reimbursements are allocated. An entire chapter takes you step by step from leaving your permanent job through your first assignment . . . and beyond.
Part 4 - Additional Topics. Contains additional topics of interest such as breaking your contract, employment testing, the future of traveling, and special California issues. It also discusses the darker side of traveling describing some "interesting" aspects of working with facilities, agencies, and other travelers.
Excerpt
You have probably heard of “travel nursing” and perhaps even met some travelers. If so, what’s your impression: a bunch of free-spirited nurses running around the country, and beyond, working when and where they want? Well . . . that’s pretty much it!
Although the profession is best known as “travel nursing” (most travelers are nurses), many other health specialties are included. Even some doctors and dentists travel, filling in as needed. Given the variety of specialties it is probably best to refer to the vocation as the “traveling healthcare profession”. Of course, if you’re at a cocktail party and tell someone you are a “traveling healthcare professional” be prepared to watch their eyes glaze over as they stumble backwards toward the punch bowl. On the other hand, if you mention you are a “travel nurse”, chances are they have some idea of what you are talking about.
Professional Reviews
MidWest Book Review
July 10, 2009
When most people think about nursing, the image that comes up is someone who works in a hospital or clinic or a school. And those are places where you will find a majority of nursing practicing in their chosen field. But there is a very special niche in the nursing profession that is not so well known is the 'traveling nurse', a certified nurse who goes from place to place and position to position, accepting temporary or part-time assignments. It's the nursing equivalent to being a freelancer. As such, there are a number of issues that must be addressed ranging from how such openings are filled and the role of the staffing agency, to compensation packages and health insurance between assignments, to contracts and seasonal assignments, and so much more. That's where "Travel Nurse Insights" comes into play. A veritable textbook and instruction manual, Barry and Donna Padgett (herself being a seasoned and experienced traveling nurse) covers it all with an informed and informative text that is authoritative, informative, comprehensive, and essential reading for anyone who has ever contemplated becoming a nurse who, in essence, is his or her own independent contractor within the context of the nursing profession.
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