Chapter 1 What is a travel nurse?
Chapter 2 How do I become a travel nurse?
Chapter 3 How do I get started?
Chapter 4 After you choose a company
Chapter 5 After you accept
Chapter 6 Preparing for your assignment
Chapter 7 On assignment
Chapter 8 Ending your assignment
Chapter 9 Taxes for the traveler
Chapter 10 Other options and FAQ’s
Chapter 11 The Good, the Bad, and the YOU GOTTA BE F***ING KIDDING?!?! Chapter 12 Help me please!!!!
APPENDIX A: Boards of nursing
APPENDIX B: Conversions
APPENDIX C: Drip calculations
APPENDIX D: PBDS study guide
APPENDIX E: Websites for the travel nurse
Published and © 2009
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Not one to speak about myself in the third person, I, David Morrison (the author), will take you through each chapter in my book and outline what information you can expect to find.
CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS A TRAVEL NURSE?
This chapter addresses the definition of a travel nurse including what the job entails. I also discuss some of the advantages to being a travel nurse and why someone would want to become a traveling healthcare professional.
CHAPTER 2 HOW DO I BECOME A TRAVEL NURSE?
This chapter lists the basic requirements for becoming a travel nurse (typically referred to as a ‘traveler’). It also speaks to some of the traits you should possess as a traveler. The lifestyle is not for everyone and I’ll take you through some of the less glamorous aspects of the profession and what to expect from life on the road.
CHAPTER 3 HOW DO I GET STARTED?
This chapter will walk you through the process of becoming a travel nurse. I’ll show you what to look for in a travel company, how to go about choosing a company, and when you should consider switching travel companies. I’ll also outline a few of the companies that I recommend. I won’t give you a list of 100 travel companies which will have you scratching your head wondering, ‘Who do I choose?’ You will read about a few of my picks and I have even contacted each company to get their answers to a few common questions a beginning traveler might ask. I even have responses from a few company CEO’s in this section.
You’ll also get a few suggestions on how to choose your first assignment to increase your likelihood of having a positive experience.
CHAPTER 4 AFTER YOU CHOOSE A COMPANY
Once you choose a company, I’ll tell you several ways to establish contact and review some of the initial paperwork you will encounter. You will be taken through the process of getting your license in other states and some of the things to consider in choosing a destination. This chapter will also prepare you for some of the things you might encounter in a travel assignment interview as well as the process for accepting or declining an assignment.
CHAPTER 5 AFTER YOU ACCEPT
This chapter again touches on the paperwork you might see in accepting a travel assignment. I review one of the most important documents in this process, the travel contract. I’ll outline what things you need to understand when signing a contract, what things should be included in that contract, and even discuss some additional clauses that YOU can ask for in your travel contract. Breaking a travel contract can be a major issue for a traveler and I even talk about the experiences I have had when a hospital cancels a travel contract. While it’s rare, it does happen and you need to know what options you have.
CHAPTER 6 PREPARING FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT
This chapter touches on every detail you will need to be concerned with in gearing up for your assignment from different modes of transportation to everything you will need to take with you. We’ll also discuss the issues you need to be concerned with in moving to a new location (researching the area, mail forwarding, utilities, etc). I also show you your housing options when taking an assignment and discuss traveling with family, friends, or pets.
CHAPTER 7 ON ASSIGNMENT
Once you are on assignment, there are various job aspects for which you will need to be prepared. I take you through some of the issues of starting a travel assignment including your hospital orientation, pre-employment testing, and the aspects of your job. This chapter also spends time discussing a big concern for many travelers: PBDS testing.
CHAPTER 8 ENDING YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Leaving for another assignment is only one option after your contract is complete. We’ll look at extending your time, staying on as a permanent staff member, and also touch more on contract terminations and cancellations.
CHAPTER 9 TAXES FOR THE TRAVELER
I am not a tax advisor, nor do I play one on TV. However, I enlisted the help of a tax professional that specializes in preparing the returns of traveling healthcare professionals. In addition to reviewing the chapter, he even contributed answers to questions the travel nurse might have come tax season.
CHAPTER 10 OTHER OPTIONS AND FAQ’S
This chapter deals with some of the more exotic avenues of travel nursing such as working on tropical islands or cruise ships. It also addresses how to maximize your earnings with guaranteed overtime and travel assignments that can make you over $15,000 a month!!
CHAPTER 11 THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE…YOU GOTTA BE F***ING KIDDING!?!
These are a few of my favorite experiences from the road. Some of them have literally left me saying ‘You have got to be fucking kidding me!!!’
CHAPTER 12 HELP ME PLEASE!!!!
If you read my book and are still a little apprehensive about becoming a travel nurse, I offer to walk you through the entire process, and get you started with a travel company, for FREE!! I’ll personally spend the time to see which company might be right for you and answer your questions and advise you along the way. What other source gives you direct access to over a decade worth of experience in the field of travel nursing???
IN ADDITION.......
You will also find information included in five different appendices including one that most travelers will covet......a PBDS study guide. The Performance Based Development System (PBDS) is a test that some facilities will require you to complete prior to taking a travel assignment. If you do not pass this test, some hospitals will actually CANCEL your travel contract before you even start.
In my book, I review the test and what to expect on the exam. I have personally taken, and passed, the PBDS test three times (twice as a paper and pen test and once on the computer administered version). You can find general information about what is on the test from various web sources or even your travel company (they will often send you a packet if you will be starting an assignment where you are required to take PBDS). The information in the body of my book is similar to this; however, the study guide in APPENDIX D contains a mock-up of the exam including several sample questions to allow you to practice. While none of the content is directly from the exam (I’m sure they might take issue with me giving out questions from the test), it will give you an idea of the format and increase your chances of sucess. Much of the apprehension surrounding PBDS is due to a fear of the unknown. In my book, I work to alleviate this fear.
Furthermore, if you purchase my book and find that you will be taking an assignment where PBDS is administered, I will answer any questions you might have about the exam personally. Along with my offer to help get you started with a travel company tailor made to your criteria, I truly believe the Travel Nurse’s Bible is the best resource out there in guiding you along the path to becoming a travel nurse. Please feel free to also visit the Travel Forum section of the website where I will continue to post resources and answer questions about unique situations that come up in the world of travel.
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