Dear Nomad

Hello All, I am Nomad.  As a traveler I have had my share of Certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc…) that had to be obtained prior to getting to work.  Sometimes it can be a grueling process to make certain that all ones “ducks are in a row” for getting them completed.  I would like to ask what RN’s are finding to be the most efficient way to obtain, maintain & get renewal information on to obtain your Certifications?

There are a number of ways that I know to consider when traveling and keeping your Certifications up to date, but most of all you have to think to plan ahead and obtain information sooner than later due to expiration.  Most of you have acquired your original Certification with you first RN job or in nursing school or maybe even before that.  American Heart Association (AHA) appears to be the trend for acceptance from most Hospitals. Currently AHA has a way for you to renew the first part of your BLS online at www.onlineaha.org and they also offer a way for you to search for classes in your state or by your zip code at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3012360.   What questions, problems, or suggestions do you have as a traveler?

Types of Certifications:

BLS – (Basic Life Support)
ACLS - (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
PALS - (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
TNCC - (Trauma Nurse Core Course)

NRP - (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
Chemo.
CCRN
IABP – (Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump)
VAD – (Ventricular Assist Device)
Fetal Monitoring &/or Advanced Fetal Monitoring
CVVHD – (Central Venous to Venous Hemo-filtration w/ Dialysate)

And probably more…

Hello All, I am Nomad.  As a Traveler I am always intrigued by different hospital locations.  Most hospitals are strategically placed in locations to provide services to specific communities/clientele.  I enjoy hearing the various stories that people have been to work in.  What makes a great travel assignment location?

You can end up taking an assignment in large metropolitan cities like Manhattan, NY and see a variety of hospital all within walking distance.  In the Midwest, there are hospitals within a certain mile radius that are supposed to cover the population within that radius, which requires a lot of driving.  And of course on the western United States there is a mix of everything like in San Francisco, where you can walk, drive, and take a taxi, bus, or even train to work.  Tell me, where do you think the best hospital locations are and travel assignments that you have been too?

Hello All, I am Nomad.  As a traveler, we should all be able to recognize the advantages we have on taxes.  We have higher levels of itemized deductions for meals, lodging, and vehicular expenses.  There are also tax-free benefits, deductions, and credits for being a traveler.  Of course, as a traveler you have to have a tax home and return to it periodically within a 12 month period to obtain all of these tax benefits.  Make certain you are consulting an accountant on these responsibilities.  What are more of the benefits on your taxes you can think of for being a traveler?

We usually will benefit from itemizing our expenses incurred over the course of the year.  But be certain that you keep good records of your items receipts and that your accountant deducts according to the tax code for the claim.  Make certain also that you are filing as a non-resident in your assignment states.  Keep vehicle mileage log using your odometer and possibly a travel expenses log indicating time, place, and purpose and further an employee business expense log as applicable.  Retain your permanent mailing address and have your mail forwarded or a family member pick it up for you.  Above all be certain to return home regularly, and if you can pick up some per diem/prn work there at your home residence.  Has anyone ever run into complications with taxes and travel?

Hello All, I am Nomad.  Cash flow is something that as a Traveling Nurse we all anticipate being a perk.  After all we are leaving the comfort of our home to dwell in unfamiliar territory, work in a new environment that requires rapid adaptation, and juggle responsibilities that are sometimes near and some that may be far away.  So I ask the question…  Is the compensation of being a Traveling Nurse worth the hassles that we contend with?

Of course being a Traveler I am an avid fan of Traveling Nurses.  Nursing is a profession that continues to require more personnel, more experience, more education, more areas of specialty, and as it should more money.  I feel like the work that we perform, as it has been stated prior to me saying so, remains under-compensated for the responsibility of holding human life in our hands (often literally).  While, factory workers go to work and perform functions relevant to polluting the environment they earn wages far above the average wage of a Registered Nurse.  Further, there are food processing plants that have no nutritional substance which can lead to health complications and their workers in some cases are earning above the average wage of nurses.  It really makes one wonder what the value of human life really is worth.

I think that all the incentives that are provided these days by the travel companies are wonderful.  There are bonuses, 401 k plans, health insurance benefits, stipends, reimbursement offerings, and more.  The hourly wage has been found to be deservedly higher than working as a staff nurse.  Even taking a travel assignment close to your personal residence is becoming increasingly popular in order to obtain a wage increase.  Hopefully nursing continues to find increased profit for the compassionate, empathetic care we strive to provide throughout our careers.

Hello All, I am Nomad.  As a traveler I have had my share of RN licenses that had to be obtained prior to getting to work.  Sometimes it can be a grueling process to make certain that all ones “ducks are in a row” for getting them completed.  I have held licenses from the state of New York to Hawaii.  I would like to ask what states are you having trouble understanding or getting information on to obtain your license?

There are a number of things to consider when traveling and getting your license, but most of all you have to think to plan ahead and obtain information sooner than later.  Most of you have acquired your original state licensure after writing the NCLEX.  A lot of information on licensing can be found from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, on-line at www.ncsbn.org.  After you have obtained your original, you are going to perform an endorsement to every other state in the country to obtain a license in that state and each state has its’ particulars for sure.  What questions or problems have you run across as a traveler?

Hi, I am Nomad.  I am Critical Care Travel Nurse from the South.  When I was first asked to host this column, I have to say I was no less than ecstatic.  I thought it would be great to have a chance to share my opinions and my questions with all nurses and get their feedback.  However, I spent weeks grueling over what to talk about first.  I have so many topics I wanted to share with all nurses especially my fellow travel nurses.  After much thought I decided to open with a very controversial topic that has bothered me the most over the years.  I wanted all readers to know that this was going to be a column where all topics in the Nursing industry can be discussed no matter what or how controversial. Therefore, I open with this question.  What do Union nurses really have against Travel Nurses?

Like the majority of Travel Nurses in the country I reside in the South.  Why is it that the majority of all travel nurses come from the South; well that is an easy one?  As far as nursing goes, the South has the lowest pay rates for staff nurses and the highest workloads.  Southern hospitals are not unionized, therefore, the only way for the Southern nurse to fight back is to get up and leave and we do that through the opportunity of travel assignments. 

Therefore, I ask, why is it when travelers show up in unionized hospitals to help reduce work loads so that unions can have their mandatory 10-15 minute breaks every so many hours or meet their governed staffing ratios, unionized staff treat travelers like we are scum?  Better yet when travelers show up to staff unionized facilities and tend to the well being of patients (the people of your community) so that unionized staff can walk off the job and strike in order to receive increased pay rates and better working conditions, unions call travelers scabs and threaten them.   It is the traveler who comes from a working environment 10 times worse than unionized workers that allows unions to walk out and strike without abandoning the patients in their facilities, and remember as I mentioned above, those patients are your friends and family, your community.