removed

Just spoke with my Educator at The Cove and told her I didn't want to be on the transport team at this time and to please remove me from the classes this month. She was cool with it. She thinks I could still take the classes for my own educational purposes, but I don't want to catch any crap from coworkers or NNPs for taking the class and not joining the transport team. Work politics are so annoying!

transport vs. traveling

Transport RN- Remain full time at The Cove, most days would be as usual but if a baby needed to come to us from another hospital, the transport RN would go get him/her via helicopter or ambulance. More skills are learned and more money is earned while on the actual transport.

Traveling RN- Become Occasional at The Cove (2days/4wks), be my own boss, choose from hospitals that need RNs, travel to that location for 8-13 weeks (I have to do 2 travel assignments of 13 wks each before I can take shorter assignments), more skills are aquired (working at new facilities with new people) and much, much more money is earned. Plus, I get to see all kinds of places and learn new techniques from different facilities.

first application

While we visited in Cincinnati, Tonya told me about a traveling nurse that was stationed in their NICU and he loved it so much he was extending his assignment to Labor Day. I asked if she could get me any information from him, as I am forever researching from people. A day or two later, Tonya delivered :) He works for Cross Country TravCorps located in Florida, but he actually lives in one of the Carolinas, or Virginia... I can't remember which one.

I looked up their information and even though it is much the same as others, I was still impressed. They even had a spot on their website to show some example housing arangements which looked really nice.

While working this past weekend, I talked to a couple more coworkes about transport vs. traveling and I think I have come to the conclusion that I need to travel now, and transport later (if I still want to at a later date). Looking at the pros and cons, there are a few that are similar, but the cons of transport right now would last longer than the cons of traveling. Besides, I am young, single, without kids.... If I don't do it now, I may never get the chance. And my two coworkers, both married, but both without kids, said they both thought/talked about going, with or without their spouse, and didn't, and both regret it.

I tried calling my Educator yesterday to let her know the change in plans and so far she hasn't returned my call. Hopefully they aren't too mad about my decision, but I have to do what's best for me. Like my awesome coworker said the other day, this job isn't here for me, so I shouldn't be here for it. I need to do what is best for me.

Today I applied online for the CrossCountry travelers agency and I should hear from a recruiter within 24 hours.

transport

A new curveball has been thrown at me. I've been gearing myself up to dothis travel nursing thing, talked to my managers, etc, have even thought through how I could juggle things (While visiting Tonya & Sophia in Cincinnati, I was really impressed with their hospital and the proximity to home, and figured, it'd be nice to travel so close to home, especially if our census ever recovers here)... Anyway, I was approached, again, to sign up to join the transport team. I've been asked by both managers, ate least two NNPs, and several of my fellow coworkers have said I should. I have definitely thought about it, considered it, but the idea of beign out there, completely responsible for the patient, is overwhelming. Obviously I wouldn't ever be completely alone. Respiratory always goes with the RN, and depending on how sick the kiddo is, a NNP sometimes goes too. If the NNP doesn't go, I'd have a phone and contact with my NNP or Doc at all times; but it's still nerve-racking.

I was suckered in. Speaking with a couple of coworkers that are also signed up to take the transport classes, I decided to just jump in. So, I am signed up to take the three 8-hr classes in June and then I'll go through competencies and then I'll get to take a few runs with an NNP until I am comfortable going out on my own.

The benefits of being a Transport Nurse? I'll get paid time and a half while I'm out on transport, I'll get to perform some new skills, and I'll get the experience that I can't get on a regular basis just being at the bedside. Plus, it looks good on the resume.