Seasonal vs. Travel RN

[Kdog]

Just saw a posting on this site for Seasonal RN for 6 months in Florida starting November for RTG Healthcare.
Does anyone know the differences between Seasonal vs. regular travel assignment?
Thanks

[AmandaWIRN]

Usually, seasonal is through the hospital, instead of an agency- meaning that even though they may use agencies to recruit for them, the hospital is the one who pays you and provides your housing. Usually the housing is decent, but not as nice as you'll get as a traveler. Pay might not be as much either. Where in FL???

[Kdog]

Thanks Amanda,
Lee Memorial in Fort Myers sent me an email info for seasonal and also RTG is posting on this site to start setting up interviews but don't know where. I didn't want to call them just yet until I knew what the deal is.
So, I guess the hospital saves money.

[gypsynurse]

Hey KDog, I don't know much about working seasonal in FL but I did a seasonal contract in AZ. I made some of the best money I have ever made. Received more travel pay, made diffs for shift and weekends. And I had no promblems with my contract. My housing was hospital owned, like minded neighbors. Office personnel and neighbors understood what it was all about e.g. no loud noises, etc.. Super busy, but no more than travel agency contracts. A traveler at my assignment now did a contract at a Lee Memorial sister hospital, Southwest Perhaps? and liked it. I have heard negative comments about Naples from another travel nurse, but that was a long time ago and it was just one persons prespective. Good luck!!! And if you come, welcome to my home state.

[AmandaWIRN]

I haven't heard much about Lee Memorial. I did a travel assignment in Naples a couple years ago, and they cancelled most of the travelers early due to low census, leaving a lot of the travelers jobless and homeless mid-contract. I was lucky enough to be able to finish out my assignment at their sister hospital...

[Kdog]

I did a travel assignment at Southcoast which is 1 of Lee Memorials 5 hospitals and I liked it there. Very nice nurses.
But now they moved into a brand new facility and now are called Gulf Coast. And they sent me an email for a seasonal contract. I think I'll give them a call... It's more comfortable to return to a job that was good vs. getting a lousy one.
Thanks all for responding.
K

[donnarn7994]

I have been looking in several different areas to get a seasonal contract rather than a travel contract. I have worked travel jobs for two years and find that in the places I have been, seasonal travelers are treated as regular staff to a point. You tend to make more money, you are entitled to sick pay, you can accumulate PTO, and you get more holidays off. Also first day insurance which is offered thru the hospital and paid thru the hospital as if you were a reg staff member and the insurance is a lot better than agency. Also the housing seems to be better because the hospital knows the city and the good areas to put you in as opposed to a travel agency coming out of nowhere are sticking you the first cheap place available. I checked with a hospital in Santa Fe and they are using seasonal or travelers, so keep me posted if you hear of anything good. Oh, Desert Regional, AWESOME HOSPITAL AND STAFF, did offer excellent seasonal positions in Palm Springs, CA. Nice area. But I really wanna go where the snow is falling!

Donnna

[Kdog]

At gulf coast( lee memorial fort myers) health insurance is after 90 days.. Pay is average like $30 per hour. $1000 per month for housing paid monthly. Did not know about pto though. Have not applied yet just talked to hr.
Thanks for responding..