Psych travel nursing - seeking input.

[MichPsychRN]

Hello all travel nurses
Anyone out there a psychiatric travel nurse? Tell me about it.

[trav2bRN]

I am a psych nurse and have looked into traveling but have not done so yet!!! My plan is to go back into neonatal intensive care as there are many more opportunities in that field. However, there are psych travel jobs out there but not as many. My "logic" was that I might try one 13 week assignment in psych to see if I liked traveling.....don't think I wouldn't like it. Best to search the travel companies to see if they have psych available then see where the assignment is. Doesn't hurt to inquire! good luck!

[hukilau]

I have been a Psych RN since 1984. I've traveled a lot on my own and I've done one agency assignment. That was in Norwich, CT. at Backus Hospital about 6 years ago. I can't remember the name of the agency. I liked it so much I took a job after my assignment ran out and stayed two years!
I worked at Castle Medical Center in Hawaii and we had some nurses working per diem for us who were on one year travel assignments at Hawaii State Hospital. They all seemed to like working there. The only problem was housing. From what I understand the agency just gave you a stipend and you were on your own, which can be a tough problem in Hawaii if you don't know where to look for a place. Prices are high and you can find yourself in a dangerous part of town if you don't know what you're doing.
I'm looking at traveling again and there seem to be plenty of opportunities, especially in California.

[tonyah]

didn't care for the travel, but now I am doing psych home care. And I love it. lots of flex time.

[tonyah]

interesting. I would like to know more about the Hawaii part in relation to working as a psych nurse in that area.