[ketrout]

Good morning. I am exploring different career options. I was hoping that I could ask for advice from some experienced travel nurses. I am newly divorced and have two children. I would love to get out of the Navy around January or February. However, I would need to be sure that I can afford it. I want to live in Northern Virginia if I decide to get out. I know that's an expensive area but it's the only area for personal reasons. I have looked at my income now and I feel like I cannot accept less than $70,000/year which would equate to about $40/hour. I am certified in Inpatient Obstetrics and also a board certified lactation consultant. I have been a nurse for 7 years but have worked in the maternal child field for 14 years. Do you think the companies would provide 3 bedroom housing? Would they also offer a subsidy for utilities?
I realize that these requests may be over the top, I really have no idea. I have been in the military for 14 years and been given an exact amount of money to pay for my rent and utilities. I've also never had to worry about medical/dental benefits before. I appreciate any words of wisdom you all can offer me.
Before I close, I know that I should stay in the military. However, for personal reasons, I have decided that I need to get out for a few years. Thank you!!

Kelly

[justatraveler]

Originally Posted by ketrout

Good morning. I am exploring different career options. I was hoping that I could ask for advice from some experienced travel nurses. I am newly divorced and have two children. I would love to get out of the Navy around January or February. However, I would need to be sure that I can afford it. I want to live in Northern Virginia if I decide to get out. I know that's an expensive area but it's the only area for personal reasons. I have looked at my income now and I feel like I cannot accept less than $70,000/year which would equate to about $40/hour. I am certified in Inpatient Obstetrics and also a board certified lactation consultant. I have been a nurse for 7 years but have worked in the maternal child field for 14 years. Do you think the companies would provide 3 bedroom housing? Would they also offer a subsidy for utilities?
I realize that these requests may be over the top, I really have no idea. I have been in the military for 14 years and been given an exact amount of money to pay for my rent and utilities. I've also never had to worry about medical/dental benefits before. I appreciate any words of wisdom you all can offer me.
Before I close, I know that I should stay in the military. However, for personal reasons, I have decided that I need to get out for a few years. Thank you!!

Kelly

You'll be hard pressed to get $40/hr consistently. Remember there is a bill rate. It's like your monthly budget. There's only so much money and no more. Out of that bill rate comes your housing. A three bedroom apt costs more than a 1 bedroom. That comes out of the bill rate. Then there are utilities, taxes, insurance premiums etc. All of the "bills" have to be paid first them the travel company takes their cut and the rest is your rate.

The military usually goes over money issues before you get out. They did with my son and told him exactly what he needed to make to keep the same level of living. Luckily, he's exceeded that level greatly.

The other issue is the fact that you probably aren't going to find better insurance than the military. And you'll pay a pretty penny for it especially with 2 dependents. I pay $18.50 every week just for myself. Not bad insurance. I've only used it for scripts.

PM me if you have other questions. Or we can discuss them here for every one's benefit. Good luck.

[ketrout]

Originally Posted by justatraveler

You'll be hard pressed to get $40/hr consistently. Remember there is a bill rate. It's like your monthly budget. There's only so much money and no more. Out of that bill rate comes your housing. A three bedroom apt costs more than a 1 bedroom. That comes out of the bill rate. Then there are utilities, taxes, insurance premiums etc. All of the "bills" have to be paid first them the travel company takes their cut and the rest is your rate.

The military usually goes over money issues before you get out. They did with my son and told him exactly what he needed to make to keep the same level of living. Luckily, he's exceeded that level greatly.

The other issue is the fact that you probably aren't going to find better insurance than the military. And you'll pay a pretty penny for it especially with 2 dependents. I pay $18.50 every week just for myself. Not bad insurance. I've only used it for scripts.

PM me if you have other questions. Or we can discuss them here for every one's benefit. Good luck.

Thanks for replying. I'm going to the "get out" class in November. I'm aware that they'll be discussing how much money you need to make on the outside in order to do as well on the inside. However, I've heard from many people who have attended that the class really focuses on how little money you will make on the outside once you realize that you can't get a better job than "flipping burgers". I know that I can do well on the outside. However, I've been in for 14 years and I was previously enlisted so I make more than the average person that would be getting out and only be qualified to "flip burgers". I don't think this class will prepare me for the negotiations that will be required with travel nursing.

I won't have to worry about healthcare for my children, that will be taken care of. I only have to worry about healthcare for myself. What if I secured housing myself and just asked for a subsidy for housing and utilities? What kind of subsidy will most companies offer? Thank you for your help.

[SoldierNurse]

Curious, with 14 yrs active duty service and only six more years until retirement why get out? Unless, someone taking of your children while your deployed in an issue, which I can fully understand. I just hate to see you so close to retirement & get out. BTW, I'd think travel nursing would be a problem with having children as a single parent?

Good luck!

[ketrout]

Originally Posted by MagRedC5

Curious, with 14 yrs active duty service and only six more years until retirement why get out? Unless, someone taking of your children while your deployed in an issue, which I can fully understand. I just hate to see you so close to retirement & get out. BTW, I'd think travel nursing would be a problem with having children as a single parent?

Good luck!

You're right. I have always told everyone that I thought they would be crazy to get out once you hit ten years. However, my lifestyle has changed and now that I'm a single parent, I do have to worry about the deployments. I went over for 6 mos but didin't have to worry during that time because their Dad was here. He's now in the progress of applying for different things in the military that will keep him busy with training. I hope to only get out for 3 years and then hop back in for my last six. I think we'll be in a better situation at that time.
This might be an ignorant assumption but I was hoping to take multiple travel assignments in the same area (Northern Va). Kind of like homesteading?? However, I am looking into a GS position at WRAMC or Bethesda. The kids will be 12 and 10 soon so it should get a little easier with time.

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by ketrout

You're right. I have always told everyone that I thought they would be crazy to get out once you hit ten years. However, my lifestyle has changed and now that I'm a single parent, I do have to worry about the deployments. I went over for 6 mos but didin't have to worry during that time because their Dad was here. He's now in the progress of applying for different things in the military that will keep him busy with training. I hope to only get out for 3 years and then hop back in for my last six. I think we'll be in a better situation at that time.
This might be an ignorant assumption but I was hoping to take multiple travel assignments in the same area (Northern Va). Kind of like homesteading?? However, I am looking into a GS position at WRAMC or Bethesda. The kids will be 12 and 10 soon so it should get a little easier with time.

I don't know when Walter Reed is due to shut down R/T BRAC. You might want to see about your [GS] employment options at Bethesda, first.

[justatraveler]

Originally Posted by ketrout

You're right. I have always told everyone that I thought they would be crazy to get out once you hit ten years. However, my lifestyle has changed and now that I'm a single parent, I do have to worry about the deployments. I went over for 6 mos but didin't have to worry during that time because their Dad was here. He's now in the progress of applying for different things in the military that will keep him busy with training. I hope to only get out for 3 years and then hop back in for my last six. I think we'll be in a better situation at that time.
This might be an ignorant assumption but I was hoping to take multiple travel assignments in the same area (Northern Va). Kind of like homesteading?? However, I am looking into a GS position at WRAMC or Bethesda. The kids will be 12 and 10 soon so it should get a little easier with time.

Please read pub 463 of the IRS code on what makes you eligible for a stipend. If you stay for a year in the same general area and don't have a tax home you will have to pay taxes on that stipend. Also, if you can come home at night you are not a traveler and will have to pay taxes on your stipend.

BTW, many nurses travel with kids.

I still stand by my original post. You'll be hard pressed to get $40/hr consistently and especially in VA.

[ketrout]

Thank you.

[cgrunrun]

From personal experience- I got out of the Army during my 2nd pregnancy, planning to go back in when my 2 kids got "a little older". That was 18 years ago! If I'd stayed in, Feb would have been 20 years, and the retirement would have given me a little leeway financially. After nursing for 15 years now, I can honestly say that I really don't make that much more, cost of living and all things considered, than when I started. Talk to a good accountant, preferably in the area you are planning to move. By the time you consider good housing, possibly private tuition- what are the schools like?, etc, you may need a lot more than $40/hr. And kids don't need less supervision as they get older- some need a whole lot more. So- will you be able to find the shift you need, will you have to work an extra shift or two every week, will you actually be less available for your children than you are now? I don't mean to be discouraging, but before you take the leap, make sure you're gonna clear the fire. We who travel don't really make much more than regular staffers, we just get to walk away in 13 weeks without looking bad.

[ketrout]

Originally Posted by cgrunrun

From personal experience- I got out of the Army during my 2nd pregnancy, planning to go back in when my 2 kids got "a little older". That was 18 years ago! If I'd stayed in, Feb would have been 20 years, and the retirement would have given me a little leeway financially. After nursing for 15 years now, I can honestly say that I really don't make that much more, cost of living and all things considered, than when I started. Talk to a good accountant, preferably in the area you are planning to move. By the time you consider good housing, possibly private tuition- what are the schools like?, etc, you may need a lot more than $40/hr. And kids don't need less supervision as they get older- some need a whole lot more. So- will you be able to find the shift you need, will you have to work an extra shift or two every week, will you actually be less available for your children than you are now? I don't mean to be discouraging, but before you take the leap, make sure you're gonna clear the fire. We who travel don't really make much more than regular staffers, we just get to walk away in 13 weeks without looking bad.

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, I HAVE to get out. That is not a choice at this time. We are a deploying military and I do not have appropriate childcare if I should be called back over. I have decided to accept a GS position at a military hospital for now.