newbie needs help

[BirthingCenterRN]

:confused: I am at a juncture in my life. I am not sure where I want to go. I am looking for a short term assignment that can help me financially while allowing me to figure out what I want. I have no idea how the travel nursing works. Please give me some advise on what to ask for and what the best way to approach things. Also, I was told that there are several states that you can practice on with one license. Do you know anything about this? Thanks so much. Jan

[brmcneil]

****o jan!

i too will be a new traveler to the travel nurse world. i will be taking my first assignment in the nyc area. I will tell you one of the things that have truely helped me is doing your HOMEWORK. that is the key thing. you must take the time and look a various travel agencies with a good reputation. this does not mean that it has to be a huge agency. since these recruiters take the time to call you and throw alot of great offers to you, you should take the time and INTERVIEW them. for me that determines if that recruiter knows much about the company they work for. right things down that they say and this will become a tool when shopping around other agencies. by doing so, i have already been hooked up with a couple of other travel nurses and we talk on a regular basis and im not even on assignment yet! you should always ask to be connected with other travelers when it comes to choosing a particular assignment that way you have eyes before you get there.
always know that everyone's travel experience will be different so read the "horror stories" with discernment. by the way have you started looking into any agencies?

[BirthingCenterRN]

I am looking more at destinations than agencies. My 17 year old son wants a certain program at Devry and my goal for my first assignment is to get somewhere that he can start school and get him started in college (Devry has no dorms). Any suggestions you can give would be great. We are looking first at the Orlando area.