Summary
Whether you are an experienced “traveler”, new to the profession, or considering a traveling healthcare career, this book is for you. Barry and Donna Padgett have traveled for almost eight years: from Boston to Seattle . . . from Georgia to Alaska. They have produced this concise manual based on their experiences with facilities, agencies, and other travelers. It is an “insight” into what it takes to be a successful traveler.
Prologue - A short narrative about the authors and the book.
Part 1 - What’s It All About?
Describes the traveling healthcare industry and how it began. It helps you evaluate your situation and decide if traveling is right for you. It includes the roles of the facilities, agencies, and travelers. Also included are the characteristics of a good traveler, advantages and disadvantages of traveling, and traveling with others (including your pet). Factors involved in filling openings, areas of expertise needed, seasonal assignments, independent contracting, and internet resources are also discussed.
Part 2 – The Nuts and Bolts of Traveling
Outlines the "nitty gritty" details important to every traveler: such as housing issues and options , details of benefits offered, how tax advantage programs work, contract clauses, taxes, calculating your pay items, the pitfalls of working less than full time, licensing, your 401(k), and other issues.
Part 3 – Ready to Take the Plunge?
Do you think traveling is right for you? If so, Part 3 gets your new career off to a good start. It helps you choose and apply to agencies, negotiate and finalize your assignment, and helps prepare you to pack up and hit the road. It also includes a discussion of bill rates and how your wages, benefits, and tax-free reimbursements are allocated. An entire chapter takes you step-by-step from leaving your permanent job through your first assignment . . . and beyond.
Part 4 – Additional Topics
Contains additional topics of interest such as working strikes, breaking your contract, employment testing, the future of traveling, and special California issues. It also discusses the darker side of traveling describing some "interesting" aspects of working with facilities, agencies, and other travelers.
Included are 64 pages of full color photos showing some of Barry and Donna’s adventures. Featuring hardcover binding and offset printing, this quality product is a must for every traveler’s library.
About the Author
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Barry W. Padgett grew up as a “Navy Brat”. The family moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 1961 when his father began working at the space center at Cape Canaveral after retiring from the Navy. Barry graduated from Cocoa High School in 1965 and began working at the space center as a technician for the Canaveral District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Donna E. Padgett was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Her family moved to Merritt Island in 1961 where her father worked for the Canaveral District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Donna graduated from Merritt Island High School in 1968.
Barry and Donna met in 1966 and married in 1968. The couple relocated to Mobile, Alabama in 1971 where Barry continued his Corps career with the Mobile District. He received his Civil Engineering degree (BSCE) in 1976. His 33 years of Federal service included various assignments ranging from staff engineer, to project management of both small and multi-million dollar projects. His career included several unique projects and studies spotlighting his special graphical, analytical, and technical writing skills.
Donna received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1980 from the University of South Alabama, in Mobile, Alabama. Her career began as a staff nurse in the Emergency Department at Providence Hospital in Mobile. In 1990 she transferred to the Cardiovascular Lab, became the Lab Supervisor in 1995, and then Director of Cardiology in 1996. In 2002, Donna decided to begin a new career as a travel nurse. Her unique combination of knowledge and skills makes her invaluable in the Cardiovascular Lab where she often serves as mentor and trainer to those still developing the required skills.
Donna’s assignments have allowed the couple to pursue two of their loves: travel and photography. Together, they have produced this concise look into the world of travel nursing and have included a few of the thousands of color photographs depicting their journey across America.
The couple has two grown children and still resides in Mobile, Alabama.
