I R_N to: Golden Gate, Golden State, SF Guide

Hey Bay Bae

Hospital: UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, California

Neighbourhood I resided: Lower Pacific Heights found via Craigslist

Transportation: I brought my car up to SF with me only because I couldn't find anywhere to store it. Most people who live in the city can get away with using public transportation (Muni/BART) or ride sharing (Lyft, Uber, etc). Also, it's super easy to catch a flight to anywhere in the world via SFO or Oakland International.

Compensation: If you are money hungry NorCal is the spot to make good money, their pay packages are incredible but you bet your bottom dollar you will be paying a shit ton in rent...

Cost of living:  It's the most expensive city in the United States, rent prices are completely unreasonable within The City limits. The tech industry has come in and jacked up the prices making $5500/month rent the new norm. Here's a breakdown of the liveability of SF. There are options to live outside of the city (Marin, Oakland, Richmond, etc)....but you'll need to factor in the cost of commuting, parking, gas and car maintenance. 

My two cents: Comparing NorCal to SoCal is like apple and oranges....it's impossible. SF was very different than what I had imagined and at the same time it wasn't. I realize that statement probably only makes sense in my head but I went there with high expectations thinking it was a city I could live a make roots and I just didn't get that head over heels type of feel. From talking with patients that were born and raised in the Bay area it seems as though the tech industry has come in and taken the city by storm. I think 10 years ago with the hippie culture and psychedelic vibes it would've been a different story but for me it just seemed like much of the same. The food scene is absolutely incredible and I had some of the best meals I've ever had in my life while living in SF. A huge draw to living in SF is that it's very accessible, you have everything you need within the city limits and it is seated in the perfect location allowing you to pop to Napa for Sunday Funday's or Tahoe for a weekend of skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer. I was very fortunate to meet really good, genuine people while I was there and love to visit for a weekend but for now I'm over hearing, "yeah I work for a tech startup"......

“It’s an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco”

— Oscar Wilde

I R_N to: Austin, the ultimate southern gentleman

ATX

Reminiscin over how we used to flex in Texassssss. Honestly, have you ever heard anyone say anything awful about Austin?! The humidity doesn't count, it's Texas....get over it. IMO, Austin is your older brothers super hot best friend that will always make your knees weak. I feel like it's a city for the young and good looking. It's busting at the seams with incredible live music, mouth watering tacos and good vibes. Austin was my first travel nursing gig and I'm so glad he was my first. The city set the bar pretty high but the work was ehhhhh. Let's just say people aren't flocking by the bus load for healthcare treatment in Texas. I'm not hating on the hospital I worked at but I had just come from Duke, it's not even fair to compare the two hospitals. I was hired on as supplemental staff to help with their conversion to electronic medical records. They were going from paper charting to computer......again, it just seemed very antiquated to me. Everyone is incredibly friendly and the staff could not be more welcoming. The manager wore cowboy boots with her scrubs and I am not lying when I say she is one of the nicest humans I have ever worked with.

Hospital: Seton Medical Center, Austin, Texas

Neighborhood: West Austin in the cutest house I have ever seen rented off of Turn Key

Transportation: I (okay, my boyfriend at the time) drove my car 20 hours south to Austin. In my opinion you'll need a car in Austin, to run errands or take a weekend trip it is necessary. Austin broke up with Uber/Lyft last year so it won't be an option. But anything you can do, Austin can do better, they rolled out a nonprofit rideshare program, RideAustin.

Compensation: The pay was pretty much the same as what I was making in North Carolina, meaning it's horrible. The cost of living is so low that the pay package was fine. I lived in a very nice size two bedroom house with a screened porch and backyard, the dream! Everything's bigger in Texas, just not your paycheck.

Cost of living: The city continues to grow and attract those from the east and west coast looking for the best of both world, which in turn is causing the cost of living to increase. Compared to the rest of the country and taking into account their strong economy you are still getting a lot of bang for your buck. It's forever topping the lists of Best Places to Live. Food is super affordable and finding cheaper housing outside the city is an option.

My two cents: If there is a position in Austin, take it. I'm going to interview another travel nurse in the weeks coming to get an unbiased review of the hospital but at the end of the day, it's just work. You'll get through your 40 hours each week and spend your days off consuming tacos and beer or kayaking down Lady Bird Lake.

“There is a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas”

— Willie Nelson

WTF is a travel nurse?

Good question, I am so glad you asked! I cannot tell you how many times a day a patient will ask me, "what exactly is a travel nurse"? Well, it is a career path I took three years ago that lead me to work in some of the best hospitals in the coolest cities throughout the United States while someone else foots the bill. Sounds pretty freakin dreamy, right? IT IS!

A travel nurse works temporarily as a contractor for hospitals to fill staffing needs. Those needs could range from conversion to Electronic Medical Records, influx in surgeries or women out on maternity leave. Whatever the need might be it's a quick fix for a more long term solution whether it is training staff or continue their search for permanent staff nurses. In order to qualify for a travel assignment you must be working outside of a 50 mile radius from your permanent tax-home, which I'll get into at a later time. Usually contracts are 13 weeks but I do stumble upon some opportunities as short as 8 or as long as 24 weeks.  In a lot of cases there is a possibility of extending your contract within the same facility. Being a huge commitment-phobe I have found 13 weeks to be the perfect amount of time, more often times than not I will extend at a facility if it's a good fit but knowing I have the option to escape at the end of 13 weeks is always nice!

A travel nurse works with a recruiter from a travel nurse agency to seek out these opportunities throughout the U.S and in some cases throughout the world! The recruiting agency is responsible for picking up the tab on accommodations, travel expenses to and from the  assignment and health care benefits. Pay packages are designed specifically based on the location your assignment. Later I will be giving tips and tricks on how to get the most bang for your buck while living comfortably! 

At the end of the day, just like everything else, this is a business and also why I cannot stress enough how important it is to find the PERFECT recruiter! They are the middle man between you and the hospital and also the ones in charge of developing your pay package. I have heard horror stories of recruiters screwing someone over on multiple occasions and completely ruin their experience out on the road. Being away from your comfort zone isn't the easiest and you want to trust the person you are working with has your back. 

Deciding to become a travel nurse has easily been one of the best decisions I have ever made. From meeting incredible humans to learning skills at world renowned hospitals it has opened so many doors I never even knew existed.