By The Gypsy Nurse

July 4, 2021

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Top Fourth of July Spots

I don’t know about you, but coming together with family or taking a trip in the summer around the Fourth of July is something I wait for all year. It could be the cool summer breeze off your favorite lake while boating with friends and family or the sights, sounds, and new memories you’re creating in this chapter of your nursing career. We asked you, adventurous souls, where your top Fourth of July spots to celebrate the week and/or weekend of the 4th are and here are our top choices:

Lake Tahoe, California

Top Fourth of July Spots

People come from all around to take in the experience that is Lake Tahoe. Rated nationally as one of the “top 5 Fourth of July” vacation spots. There is no lack of activities for you and yours to enjoy. Take your pick from a plethora of community activities. Relaxing on the beach, cruising around the lake, enjoying the local food and drink specials, and so much more. No matter what you choose to do during the day, the real magic is the choreographed fireworks and music at night. With upwards of 100,000 onlookers, it’s not to be missed.

Boston, Massachusetts

Fourth of July in Boston

Boston hits the top of the list for being the largest gathering for the Independence Day celebration. It brings in around 3 million people. The cities Revolutionary War history alone draws in guests. The war reenactments, speeches, live bands, and historic heritage keep the visitors coming for more. Most importantly, most events around are free. It’s a great way to indulge in the exciting atmosphere without breaking the bank. Find some great tips for what to do here.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fourth of July in Philadephia

Of course, we would not forget where the Declaration of Independence itself was signed. Philadelphia has an array of fun things to do, and again most of these are free. Between concerts, museums, kids’ activities, an obstacle course, and even a zip line, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy at this celebration of our country. Even your beloved pets are allowed to join in on the fun.

Everything comes together after the concert (which is said to be one of the largest free concerts in America with guests Mary J. Blige and Boyz II Men) at around 9:30 pm to start the grande finale firework at Ben Franklin Parkway. I could honestly go on for days with the number of amazing activities this city has to offer. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself!

New Orleans, Louisiana

Top Fourth of July Spots

It’s hard to talk about celebrating America without mentioning the culture-rich city of New Orleans. Aside from being one of the best places in the US to eat, it’s one of the best at throwing a good party. With unique performances like dueling river barges, synchronized to lights and music, and the amazing Essence Music Fest paying tribute to African-American music and culture. This is sure to celebration you don’t want to miss. Fireworks kick off at 9 pm after the sounds of celebrities like John Legend and Diana Ross.

Chicago, Illinois

Top Fourth of July Spots

It’s hard not to fall in love with a city like Chicago. Seeing the skyline lit up behind the river is truly a sight everyone should see at least once. The Windy City has wonderful spots for every kind of attraction. One of their most captivating would definitely have to be Navy Pier. Whether it be from atop the Centennial Wheel, or rooftop at a beautifully lit building, it’s a must for your Fourth of July bucket list.

Lisle Park District will be hosting the “Eyes to the Skies” event. Food, music, a carnival, and even hot air balloons. During this same time, there will also be a great way to fill your bellies. Head uptown to enjoy the Windy City Rib Fest June 30th-July 2nd. At Wrigley Field, all you need to cheer on the World Series-winning Chicago Cubs is a great hotdog.

Whatever you choose to do during this holiday, we hope you stay safe, and most of all enjoy yourself and your family!! Let us know where you like to celebrate and why you think we need to add it to our list!

Want to see more suggestions? Click here to see what our Travel Nurse Network members said are the best places to be for the 4th of July!

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By The Gypsy Nurse

May 29, 2021

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5 Ways Travel Nurses can make Traveling with Family a more Beautiful, less Hectic Experience

Being a travel nurse can make very difficult decisions in many ways. Some travel nurses are brave enough to add their families to the mix. Travel nursing with the family has its unique challenges.

Tips for Travel Nursing with Family

Between figuring out a school schedule, finding a doctor, to simply making sure that everyone stays as comfortable as possible throughout your assignment, here are several ways to make your decision a positive impact on your near and dear.

Location, location, location.

One of the main reasons we become travel nurses is for the adventure. The best part is that you can choose your next adventure with every assignment. With that being said, your family can usually pick a location that will keep *most* everyone in the family happy (as if they are all ever happy at once.)

Maybe it’s an ocean view you crave, or you’d all be happy to live near a beautiful park that keeps everyone busy. Searching for housing with short-term leasing options can make heading out on to your next adventure a lot more manageable and stress-free. You can also make life a little easier by narrowing down your search to things as specific as the agency you’d like to stick with, per our new job search tool found here.

Be productive, not busy.

In between saving lives and kissing boo-boos, you can make the best of your free time by prepping for your future endeavors. Whether it’s meal prepping in advance for the family that helps melts your stress away after a long day or knowing that the tablets are charged and snacks are packed for a long car ride, it’s almost essential to have all your ducks in a row when travel nursing with family.

Some tips to stay ahead of the game:

  • searching for top-rated family physicians in the area
  • making sure your housing has laundry services on-site or a laundromat nearby
  • searching for reasonably priced furniture to sell at the end of your assignment

Think of the children.

So what if Mom and Dad both have to work in this whirlwind fairy tale journey? With the help of the internet, word of mouth, or maybe family in the area, you may be in luck. If you are doing this on your own or are entirely new to the area, There are childcare services like Care.com. You can specify what you’re looking for, whether they need to watch one or multiple children, if they need to be CPR/First Aid certified, non-smoking, have their own car, etc.

It is also nice that you can use this site to find help with tutoring. For older children in the household, having someone to come by that has great reviews and is able to do lessons and/or tutoring for specific subjects can be a lifesaver and can make a significant impact on your child’s education.

Technology is ever-changing nowadays and is also very helpful in these situations too. Some travel parents find it worthwhile to travel with a nanny-cam. This makes checking-in effortless in a pinch. Stay-at-home parents can be a beneficial influence. Parents that actively participate in a child’s learning experience and home experience combined to offer a smooth transition.

Explore your mind; and your own backyard.

travel nursing with family

You can use your child’s homeschooling to your advantage quite a bit when you are traveling. Most cities have an array of amazing museums, art exhibits, nature trails, and even hands-on historic sites. Examples include:

  • the Aztec ruins in New Mexico
  • the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
  • Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

These experiences can really help children explore and better understand what they are studying. No matter what your child is interested in, there is usually some way to travel and keep those interests close to “home.”

Another great idea if you have an animal lover at home? Make a list of the best zoos in the country and check out their favorite animals. You can research how they live, where they are from, and how they can help to make the future bright for them too. (There are quite a few free zoos across the US, too, if you’re in a pinch for funds!) To find the best housing in your ideal location, you can explore: http://bit.ly/2FQrYbe

A lesson lived is a lesson learned.

A lot of life’s hardest lessons are perhaps those that don’t necessarily get taught in school. Finding or making new friends, keeping in touch with others long-distance, adapting and appreciating new cultures, locations, and even religions are a big plus to travel nursing with family. There is never a bad time to learn a new language either. Being fluent in another language is very rewarding while traveling and meeting new people and very helpful for your child later in life when applying for jobs themselves.

Life on the road sometimes seems like a problematic choice for travel nurses to make. When you know you are making great choices educationally, and with true life experience at hand, it often leads to the best experiences. Here’s to your family’s best adventure.


Would you like to share your experience traveling with a Family? We want to hear from you!

Contact us at content@thegypsynurse.com


By The Gypsy Nurse

January 17, 2021

67374 Views

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Travel Nurse Housing: Where am I going to Live?

3 Travel Nurse Housing Options


What are the housing options for travel nurses? There are 3 travel nurse housing options to consider when asking the question Where am I going to live?

Travel Nurse Housing Tax Implications

It’s important to understand that no matter which housing option you opt for, you must have a valid tax-home to obtain ‘free’ housing. If you do not have a tax-home, your housing costs should be taxed as income. Many agencies will not tell you this.

PART I: Agency Provided Housing

Overview

With agency provided housing, the agency takes care of everything for you, from deposits (excluding any pet deposits), utilities, and furnishing.  All you should have to do is show up. Your housing should be ‘move-in ready.’  Sometimes the internet or cable TV are not included. You may have to arrange this on your own if you need/want it.  Ask the agency if this is included. Many Agencies provide housing in hotels, motels, and extended stay type properties. These can vary greatly.  It’s important to ask what type of housing and where and do your research.

Additionally,  if you are taking company-provided housing, it’s important to know what is actually included in the companies description of ‘furnished.’ ‘Furnished’ can mean a wide variety of different things to different people. I discussed the importance of clarifying what is ‘furnished’ in a previous post, so I won’t rehash it here.

Questions to Ask about your Travel Nurse Housing

In addition to knowing what is furnished in your company provided housing, here is a list of other questions about housing that you might find helpful.

  • What type of property do you provide? Apartment. Hotel. Etc.
  • What amenities does the apartment/housing offer? I.e., fitness center, pool, business center (fax, copy, print).
  • Is parking provided? Is there a fee? Will the company cover?
  • The time frame for move-in and move-out.  Most companies will give you a day or two on both ends of the contract.
  • Contact information for housing.
  • Microwave, TV, Vacuum, provided? (don’t assume that your housing will include these items)
  • Address of the housing?

To-Do Before You Move Into your Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

The following is a “To Do” list to help you ease into your agency provided travel nurse housing smoothly:

  • Obtain the housing’s address and contact information and call them yourself to confirm your arrival date and time.
  • Research the area before your move. Use the internet. There are many internet resources to check on crime rates, locations, police blotters, etc. Use these resources, and if you find any information that might be concerning to you, notify your recruiter and request a different housing assignment if appropriate.
  • On arrival at the location, drive around the neighborhood and assess the safety. Does it appear to be a safe neighborhood?
  • Obtain a copy of the lease.
  • Obtain the after-hours maintenance/emergency contact information. (Sometimes this is included in your lease)
  • If you travel with a pet, request a copy of the pet rules. (You may have to sign a pet waiver).
  • Make sure to do a pre-inspection of the apartment as soon as you arrive. I would suggest that you also take photos of any damages and make sure that the manager is aware of and noted on your lease.
  • Check that all windows and doors latch and lock securely.
  • Most importantly, see this full list of what to check on arrival at your travel nurse housing.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

Advantages

  • You don’t have to spend countless hours trying to find adequate and affordable travel nurse housing.
  • The lease is not in your name, so there are no credit checks required from the accommodation (*usually).
  • Many times you are actually treated better by the apartment staff when going through a large company. (They want you happy so they can get long-term business).
  • You are not responsible for monthly payments.
  • If housing is limited in the area, you might actually get better housing using the agency’s resources.

Disadvantages

  • You have little to no control over the location and type of housing provided.

Travel Nurse Housing Options

READ PART II: Securing your own travel nurse housing with a ‘stipend’

READ PART III: Travel in an RV


Looking for Travel Nurse Housing?
CLICK HERE for the most up to date Travel Nurse housing resources.


By The Gypsy Nurse

August 15, 2020

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Is Travel Nursing Right for You?

If you’re an adventurous person, you may be interested in Travel Nursing. But is travel nursing right for you? There are many reasons people travel or combinations of reasons. Some people see the need for change to feel alive and see Travel Nursing as a chance to do that. You should remember that every decision has pros and cons.

When I made the decision to start Travel Nursing, I didn’t do it because I was unhappy with my job.

I was working home health care for local hospital-based home health and actually liked what I did. I worked PRN and picked up full-time hours (plus some most weeks). I was working 12 hour days every day and driving all over Southern Indiana, and truly enjoying myself and my patients. I decided because I was unhappy with my personal life. I felt stuck, stagnant, and needed a change of scenery.

When I decided to take the first travel assignment, I set up an appointment with my supervisor. I was well-liked by the staff (which may have been an advantage for me). I explained what I was considering and requested a Leave of Absence as a backup if I wanted to come back. My manager secretly hoped that I would fail in this adventure and went above and beyond to get my leave granted.

Many hospitals offer the option of a leave of absence.

Some Managers welcome you back with open arms but don’t expect it everywhere in reality. In my case, it was obvious I was going into Travel Nursing because I had been talking about it for years. Some places will do an LOA, but you are not guaranteed the same job.

“There are always going to be bad contracts, bad hospitals and bad situations.”

– The Gypsy Nurse

I have already discussed some of the Myths of Travel Nursing. If you haven’t read it, I suggest that you take a few minutes and review it.

Travel nursing can be a tough as well as a rewarding career. I’ve found that the nurses that explore travel nursing either love it or hate it. There doesn’t seem to be much in the middle ground.

Is travel nursing right for you?

The most important thing is to make certain that you go into Travel Nursing armed with as much information as possible beforehand. You can explore several internet forums, and I read them for about a year before taking my first contract; I suggest that you do the same.

There are always going to be bad contracts, bad hospitals, and bad situations. Armed with the knowledge, you will be better able to handle these hurdles. Over the coming weeks, I plan to cover some of the most common issues or problems among travel nurses.   If you’re interested in more information, check out our F.A.Q.’s

By The Gypsy Nurse

May 31, 2020

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Travel Nurse Housing: Where am I going to Live? Part II

3 Travel Nurse Housing Options

There are 3 travel nurse housing options to consider when asking the question Where am I going to live?

  1. Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing
  2. Securing your own housing: Travel nurse housing stipend
  3. Travel in an RV

PART II: Securing Your own Travel Nurse Housing with a Stipend

Overview

Last week we discussed the company provided travel nurse housing. If you haven’t read this, I suggest that you take a look at it and read over the tax implications.

Today we are going to touch on obtaining your own travel nurse housing. There are multiple considerations when opting for travel nurse housing stipend. If you have a valid tax-home, you can sometimes pocket a little extra cash by obtaining your own housing.

Many travel nurses choose to find their own housing simply because of the additional financial benefit. If the travel nurse housing stipend is more than the rent, the traveler can pocket the remainder! This is a huge benefit for finding your own travel nurse housing.

It’s important that you treat each assignment individually and assess housing availability and cost prior to determining if you are going to accept a travel nurse housing stipend instead of company provided housing. There are some areas that finding housing that is furnished is difficult. In these situations it’s likely better to take company housing. Make sure that you have options.

Online Resources for finding Travel Nurse Housing

Things to consider when choosing the Travel Nurse housing stipend.

  • Does availability and price match what the stipend would be?
  • What is the minimum length of the lease? I recommend obtaining a month to month lease in case your contract is terminated early. However, these can be very difficult to find.
  • Do you want a private space or shared?
  • Do you need cable, internet, etc?
  • Will there be any deposits?
  • Is parking included?
  • What utilities are included? Furniture?
  • Calculate your anticipated cost with everything and make sure that your stipend will cover the costs.
  • Consider an unfurnished rental and furnish it yourself.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Obtaining your own Travel Nurse Housing

Advantages

  • You have full control over the location and type of travel nurse housing provided.
  • You may be able to find travel nurse housing that doesn’t cost the full ‘stipend’ and therefore, put a little additional money in your pocket.

Disadvantages

  • Travel Nurse Housing research can be very time consuming.
  • The lease is in your name so there may be credit checks required from the accommodation.
  • If housing is limited in the area, you might actually get better housing by using the agencies resources.

Travel Nurse Housing OptionsTravel Nurse Housing: Where am I going to Live? Part II

READ PART I: Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

READ PART III: Travel in an RV


Looking for Travel Nurse Housing?
CLICK HERE for the most up to date Travel Nurse housing resources.


By Kayla Reynolds

October 20, 2019

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8 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Travel Nurse

Guest Post by The Gypsy Nurse Ambassador Kayla:

8 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Travel Nurse

One of the great things about travel nursing is the variety of experiences that it provides for those that choose this path.  As a ICU travel nurse for the past  5+ years, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error.  If you have interest in becoming a “Gypsy”, or are new to travel nursing, here are 8 things I wish I know before I became a travel nurse that I hope helps you in your journey.

1.)  Have A Safety Net!

Traveling is a risky business and it may sound like a no-brainer but do not start traveling without some kind of savings. You have to be ready for the unexpected like when you car breaks down in the middle of nowhere or contract gets cancelled. You may have to live without working for a few weeks. SO, be prepared for it.

2.) Trust your gut!

I had a pretty lucrative contract in CA but I sold my soul for it. It was a pretty rough assignment using the most outdated charting system and floated from one end of that hospital to other. Yes I got paid well but I certainly worked for it. My gut was right when it said “this is too good to be true”. If you feel after an interview uneasy about anything ask more questions and don’t be afraid to pass on it.

3.) Read your contract!

You have to go over your contract with a fine toothed comb. Make sure you understand everything in your contract and that it includes all the things you have asked for. Some of the top things I make sure is in my contract are pay rates for the first 36 hours, hours from 36-40, and hours from 40+ (the exception is California), requested days off, cancellation policy or guaranteed hours, cancelled contract policy, travel and any other reimbursements, per diems, shift times, specific unit I will be working, and floating policy. Also make sure you understand things like non compete clauses in your contract or any other terms you are agreeing to.

4.) Educate yourself on taxes regarding travel nursing and what is meant by maintaining a tax home.

I spent hours researching articles related to travel nursing and taxes before becoming a travel nurse. This can be very complicated.

 5.) Before starting to apply to companies have all your documents ready.

This will include a resume, certifications, copy of your diploma, vaccination records, copy of your identification card, nursing licenses, and references. Also, every company will request that you do a skills checklist before being submitted to hospitals.

6.) Learn from the experienced travel nurses.

All of us have made mistakes going in but if you know before you start what to look out for this may save you a lot of heartache.

7.) Travel nursing can be uncomfortable at times.

If you were to meet me now you would probably never guess I was not the most social and certainly not as confident as I am today. That I owe to travel nursing pushing me out of my comfort zone. I have learned to go at it on my own and not wait for anyone to tag along with me to have an adventure. I like to call it dating myself or solo explorations.

8.) Be ready for whatever is thrown your way.

Finally, your reaction to situations will make or break your travel nursing career. You can choose to throw in the towel or you can handle it. Travel nursing will test your limits sometimes but you have the power to run it or let it run you.

I hope you found these tips to be helpful. One of the keys to being a successful Gypsy nurse is the willingness to help your help your colleagues. Feel free to let me know if they do by leaving a comment here.

Want to share your own travel nursing tips with fellow Gypsies?  Leave a comment here or (for the budding travel nursing writers out there!) email content@thegypsynurse.com with your ideas and we may be able to turn it in to an article and share it with the thousands of Gypsies in our network!

By The Gypsy Nurse

July 5, 2019

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Ask a Travel Nurse About Travel Nurse Health Insurance

Gypsy,

I’ll end my travel nurse contract soon and plan to take time off between contracts.  What do you do for insurance between contracts?  COBRA is so expensive.

Thanks!
Jackie, RN

health insurance

Jackie,

Insurance worries are a common issue among travel nurses. Most travel nurse contracts will include insurance, but there is always the worry about insurance between contracts. Personally, I choose to carry private insurance.  I tend to work with multiple different travel nursing agencies and prefer not to have to worry about switching insurances with employment.

COBRA

COBRA is certainly an option for insurance coverage between contracts, but it can be expensive. PANTravelers.org offers the following advice for maintaining health insurance coverage between contracts.

  • You then have 60 days from the end of your contract (or 60 days from the letter’s date) to positively select COBRA coverage.
  • After you elect coverage (no reason not to), you have 45 days to pay the premium.
  • This gives you an effective minimum of 105 days (three and a half months) of insurance coverage without paying a cent.
health insurace

So what does this mean? It means that you are covered by your agency’s insurance for well over three months after the contract ends if you select COBRA coverage at the last moment. And there are no consequences for not paying the premium three months later other than your insurance coverage will be canceled retroactively back to when your contract ended. If you had no events during this period that required insurance, you have just received a free ride! And if any events do occur, they would have to add up to more than $1,000 (your minimum likely premium during this period) to be worth paying the premium. This is an insurance company’s nightmare.  Clients are fully covered but electing to pay only if the insurance benefits are more than the cost of premiums.

There is one possible glitch – you want to ensure this strategy works in the worst possible scenario. If you are incapacitated (think unconscious or major trauma) during this period, you may not be able to make the COBRA election or pay the premium. So you should give clear instructions to a family member on what to do just in case with the appropriate forms. Otherwise, your medical bills will not be covered, and that would be a real catastrophe!

– PANTravelers.org

Insurance Recommendations

There are always new discussions on our Travel Nurse Network Facebook group. Here is one discussing private health insurance that might be helpful. Another post of interest is one discussing gaps in employment between contracts. I hope that this has addressed your question.


Looking for your next Travel Nurse Contract?

Check out these HOT JOBS!


By The Gypsy Nurse

June 23, 2019

35526 Views

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Ask A Travel Nurse: Can I Rent Out My Tax Home?

Can I rent out my travel nurse tax home and still receive a housing stipend?

travel nurse tax home

The short answer is YES. However, there are additional considerations you should be aware of if you are attempting to use the tax home as a qualifier for ‘duplicated expenses’ for tax-free stipends. If you are receiving tax-free housing stipends, you need to have a residence available for personal use in the area of your tax home. Once you have rented out your house, it is no longer your residence but a business property.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL NURSE TAX INFORMATION

As a Travel Nurse, Can I rent out my tax home and still receive housing stipend?

Answer:

Travel nurse tax home:  Understanding the tax home can be very daunting.  There are several articles on this topic, and it’s always recommended if you have questions, contact the expert: TravelTax

According to TravelTax:

Generally, you need to have a residence available for personal use in the area of your tax home. Once you have rented out your house, it is no longer your residence but a business property. However, here are a few options if you get the urge to become a landlord.

  • You rent it out and lease other accommodations somewhere in the same metropolitan area for yourself. This essentially turns your ex-residence into a business venture, regardless of profit or loss.
  • You rent it out but retain a portion for personal use, NOT just storage. (This could be done in the case of an in-law apt or renting to friends/family who you know well enough to stay at the house in between assignments.)
  • You rent it out as a vacation rental. This is great for those who live in tourist areas. You are allowed to rent it out completely for part of the year while you go off on assignment. Because the lease is for less than a year, and you are occupying it the rest of the time, it qualifies, and you can still keep your reimbursements tax-free.
  •  

 See more at: TravelTax.com  and check out the TOP 10 Questions for Travel Nurses on Taxes

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By The Gypsy Nurse

June 8, 2019

13706 Views

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Ask A Travel Nurse: What are the best states for Travel Nurse to License in?

Gypsy,

What are the best states for travel nurse to license in? Where would you recommend I obtain licensing? I will be looking to start my Travel Nurse career after the 1st of the year and I want to be prepared.

What are the best states for Travel Nurse to License

There are many variable when it comes to the best states for travel nurses to obtain a license. Some states like California, always have openings. Others are somewhat seasonal – bringing in travelers during high seasons. Here are 2019 Nursing Trends that might be helpful in determining where to go this year.

Personally, I recommend only obtaining a license for those states in which you have a job offer for.  If you are licensed in a compact state and eligible for compact licensure, your choices are much more vast. There are also seasonal shifts in high-demand locations like Arizona, and Florida. If you are interested in working seasonally in these locations, you might consider obtaining a license in advance for these states.

Licensing timeframes can vary from state to state. Keep this cheat-sheet close as you look at job possibilities and states for travel nurses to license in.

If you are a new travel nurse, read over our Travel Nurse Guide for additional guidance and industry specific information. You can also connect with our Travel Nurse Network and find out where the Hot Locations are right now.


Find your Next Travel Nurse Job