Local Travel Contract

Once I accepted my contract, I had a full time job for the next three months, a place to live since I would be commuting from my house, and got myself private insurance.

All the logistics were figured out in about a week of submitting what seemed like endless paperwork. Then I hit the ground running with orientation, which was a flash compared to normal ER nursing orientation – usually 4-6 weeks. My orientation was half a day doing paperwork and the other half following a day shift nurse on the floor. The next day of orientation was a half a day of epic training and then half a night following a night shift nurse. I’m learning this is normal travel nurse orientation length and set up. After those two half shifts on the floor I was off on my own to figure out where everything was and how this ER handled everything. I still find that the biggest challenge.

“I know how to be an ER nurse, I just need to learn how to be an ER nurse here” is something I say over and over.

My first travel assignment was 13 months long, which yes, I know is a long time. It was a local contract so tax wise that is accepted as long as its done legally which my overthinking mind made sure of. But as long as the facility kept increasing my rate and granting my time off requests I figured why not. Regarding taxes, that is always not feasible. As long as you consult your tax professional and make sure you remain legal so you don’t get hit with fines, you do you.

Now you might be thinking, what exploring could I have done at home? Well a year before I accepted this assignment I bought my first house so I explored that area. Without having to pick up OT (obv I still did), I spent my time wisely. Me and my two boys hiked numerous local trails at the Tully Dam and Lake Dennison (one of our faves) and found new trails. My winter extension contract I was granted 24hr work weeks and 4 shifts on, 10 off so my time off was spent up north skiing.

~ Side note- If your a New Englander in your 20s I highly recommend the Nitro pass. Its around $300-$400 and a season pass to Sunday River, Loon, and Sugarloaf. It pays for itself in 4 days on the mountain. ~

As a traveler you can request time off, just make sure its written into your contract before you sign it. I requested a few weekends off for my best friends bachelorette party and her wedding. We spent the bachelorette party in Portland Me and checked out a bunch of breweries. Instead of driving home after the bachelorette 3 of us drove north to stay in a cabin two night and hike Mount Katahdin. I also requested a week in May to do our annual girls hiking trip which this year we had two other ladies join! We hit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, and Valley of Fire.

Selecting a local assignment to test the waters of travel nursing was a safe introduction to a world of watching my own back and finding my own footing. If I was to do it all over again I would do the same exact thing and would suggest others to do the same.