 For traveling therapists, there are three main considerations when choosing a contract: Pay, Location, and Setting. The first two considerations are going to depend more on your personal preference, but for Setting, there are several factors to consider. First, which settings can you work as a traveling therapist? Here is a list of the main ones for OT’s, PT’s, and SLP’s:
(Note: In some cases, you may be asked to work in a combination of settings: OP/IP, Acute/OP, SNF/OP, IP/SNF, etc., and this will be listed in the job posting) Second, does the facility require prior experience? As mentioned in a previous blog post, traveling therapists are able to start working right out of school as a new grad. However, where you start out is going to depend on whether or not the facility accepts new grads, or if they expect a certain amount of experience as part of their requirements. Sometimes fieldwork experience is acceptable, but a lot of times settings like acute care or home health want you to have at least a year or two of experience under your belt. This also goes for a seasoned therapist who has been working in certain settings and is hoping to switch to something different (For example, an occupational therapist who has experience in SNF’s and home health but is hoping to land a contract in an acute care hospital). Advice: Even if the job posting lists prior experience in the requirements, you can still tell your recruiter you’re interested and have them submit your resume. The worst they can do is say no. But there’s always a chance they might be willing to train you. Third, how much onboarding/training is provided? In general, skilled nursing facilities are on the lower end and expect you to jump right in early on. In hospital settings, there tends to be more onboarding due to the higher level of acuity, around 1-2 weeks. As a rule of thumb, this question should always be brought up during your interview with a facility so you know going into it what to expect. If you are someone who can roll with the punches and hit the ground running, this may not be a concern, but for someone who prefers an orientation and some training, this should definitely be taken into consideration when choosing a setting/particular facility. Fourth, does my state have jobs in the setting I want? This can be a limiting factor in some cases, depending on which state(s) you’re licensed in, or planning to get a license. Depending on the job market and what’s available, there may not be many, if any, jobs in that particular setting in your locations of interest, so that is always important to look into. Advice: If you are more open to and/or have experience in more than one setting, this can expand your options for what’s available to you. One of the benefits of being a traveling therapist is having the ability to try out a variety of settings, depending on what areas interest you. Even if you do not have prior experience, traveling can be a way to get your foot in the door. It can help to avoid burnout, it allows you to gain experience in a multitude of patient populations, and expands your training and skill sets to make you a well-rounded therapist. It’s one of the many reasons to take the leap if you’re thinking of becoming a traveler!  Written by: Morgan (and Mo) Travel OT and MedVenturist
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 Travel is often glamorized on social media, especially in the last couple of years after COVID began. Pay packages began to skyrocket (finally getting the pay we deserve!) and it started seeming like it was the mass Exodus of any nurse with over two years of experience in every unit across the country. I personally have been a travel nurse for the past 4 years, and I can vouch that it’s one of the best jobs out there. What other industry can you be so in control of your own schedule, make great money, and still have fulfilling work caring for others? Sometimes, I come across nurses who would love to become a travel nurse, but they could “never” do it. A lot of the fears I hear about have to do with the fear of being away from family and friends, and the fear of being alone. I think putting yourself out there in a new state, new hospital, new unit filled with all new coworkers can be a really scary thing for some people. I also think it has changed me as a person, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Traveling forces you out of your comfort zone and into new situations almost daily. You have to be OK with always being the new person on the unit, asking questions, and even finding your new grocery store and gym, and finding your way around a new city. These can be some of the most challenging parts about being a traveler, but also some of the most exciting. It’s all about your perspective, and what you make of it. Now in 2022, it’s never been easier to be a traveler. There are so many resources, apps, and different ways of connecting with other people- the MedVenture app being one of them! I would even argue that it’s easier making friends as a travel nurse than as a staff nurse. When you meet another travel nurse on the unit, or out and about exploring, you have an instant connection. You already have so many things in common–you both left your hometown and you’re both new to the unit and to the area. Once you become a seasoned traveler, you find how small the world really is. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met someone who has worked with a friend I knew on a previous assignment. I met my friend Emilie on an assignment in Denver, CO on the night shift. With her, it was an instant connection and friendship. Our banter at 3:00 in the morning was seamless and working with her always made the night shift FUN. She is from the west coast and traveled to the east coast where she met her boyfriend (now fiance). I am from the east coast and traveled to the west coast where I met my boyfriend. We were all now living in Denver and the four of us started doing everything together. COVID put a bit of a wrench in our plans and my boyfriend and I ended up moving to Santa Barbara, but our friendship stayed strong. We began taking trips together from ski trips in Utah and Colorado, to the beaches of Cabo. In January this year, Emilie and I started our own podcast called “Drunk or Delirious? A Nightshift Podcast.” We talk about all things nursing, NICU nursing, nightshift, and interview special guests- including Em and Ryan, the creators of MedVenture! It has been so much fun to think that travel nursing has brought us here, and continues to connect us to so many different people. If you are the kind of person that is interested in travel nursing but is hesitant because of the fear of being lonely- don’t let it hold you back. It’s hard to imagine where my life would be now if I didn’t take the plunge into travel nursing. I think I would have always wondered “what if”. I personally don’t want to live my life with “what ifs” and regrets! I always tell people you should try it, and if you hate it after 3 months you never have to take another assignment again. Chances are- you’re going to love it. I met my boyfriend and my best friend while travel nursing and I’m not sure where I would be without them! My tips for making friendships while on your assignment are:
Hopefully this inspires a few people to take the leap into traveling. Although it isn’t always as glamorous as social media can make it seem, it’s still a life changing adventure and it’s 100% worth it. Feel free to check out Emilie and I’s podcast “Drunk or Delirious?” on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!  Written by Emilie and Hannah, Travel Nurses and hosts of the Drunk or Delirious PodcastYou’ve just landed your dream assignment on the beautiful island of Maui but have no idea where to start. What part of the island do you live? Do you ship your car? What is there to do? Maui is literal heaven on earth and for the purpose of this blog I will share my insider's tips & tricks to help you make the most of your assignment. Where to Live Even though Maui may seem like a small island, it does take a while to get from one side to the other. If you are working at Maui Memorial I would suggest living in Kihei. Kihei is centrally located and is 20-30 mins from the hospital. Kihei has affordable housing options, great beaches, good food, a fun “going out” scene, and great snorkeling. Lahaina is where most of the other travelers lived although it is a 30-1.5 hours from the hospital (depending on traffic). Lahaina is very touristy but has the best beaches, snorkeling, a good nightlife, and great food options. Paia is about 15-20 mins from the hospital, it has hippy vibes, very vegan friendly, a great destination for surfers, is pretty relaxed and close Road to Hana. UpCountry (Pukalani, Makawao, Kula, Haiku) is a great low key option that is relaxing with cooler climates, its oftentimes more affordable but it is far from the beach and the food options are minimal. Kahului/ Wailuku are the closest two cities to the hospital. These cities are very local and probably the cheapest housing option on the island. In these local towns there are plenty of shopping and food options (Costco will be your best friend). The negatives of Kahului/ Wailuku is that the beaches aren't good (unless you are a wind surfer) and there is little to no nightlife. Hana is a good option if you want to live off the grid but it is very far ~3 hours from the hospital. Hana is where I spent most of my days off hiking and exploring tropical paradise. With Maui being a huge tourist destination- housing is not cheap. A one bedroom fully furnished is going to run $2000-$4500; $1500 being on the cheaper side if you are lucky. I would suggest finding roommates and splurging a bit to live as close as you can to the beach so that way you can make the most of your Hawaii experience. Transportation I strongly recommend that you have a car. There is a bus for public transportation but you will be spending most of your day on it. Travelers that went to Maui with the idea that they were going to use public transport/ Uber quickly learned that a car is necessary to see the island of Maui. Shipping your car is anywhere from $1000-2500 one way, but may be worth it if you plan on staying longer than 3 months. The average monthly price to rent on the island is $500/month and they are usually pretty shitty cars known as “Maui Cruisers.” Scooters aren’t a big thing like they are on Oahu, but people do use them. Good Eats Maui Brewing ($$)- good beer, good vibes, food is okay Monkey Pod ($$)- great happy hours, good food, get the Mai Thai and their strawberry pie. The Farmacy ($)- best acai bowl on the island! Tin Roof ($) - amazing authentic Hawaiian food and very affordable. The owner actually competed on Top Chef. Dukes ($$$) - their nachos and mac nut crusted fish are soooo good. They also have amazing lava flows. Star Noodle ($$)- solid asain cuisine Nalus ($$) - great Brunch spot. I recommend the loco moco or the french toast. Coconut's Fish Cafe ($)- great fish tacos Mama's Fish House ($$$$)- some of the best food I’ve ever had. Very expensive, be sure to make a reservation days in advance Flatbread Company ($$)- arguably the best pizza on the island Old Lahaina Luau ($$$$)- The best Luau out of the four I’ve been to on the island. It sells out weeks in advance so get your reservation in. The Gazebo ($$$)- the best breakfast spot on the island, long wait times but it is a must! Things to Do The Road to Hana- an all day trek. The drive is very windy and has a lot of one-way lanes. But it is WORTH it. So many waterfalls, great food, amazing beaches (black sand/ red sand) and so much more to discover. I was there almost every week because of all the hiking it has to offer. Haleakala National Park- Amazing views of the island, so much hiking to be done. It is very cold, so bring layers (it even sometimes snows). Go for sunset or sunrise. For sunrise you need reservations, but for sunset its first come first serve. Snorkeling/ Diving- Maui has amazing snorkeling and diving spots- be sure to check out Hanauma Bay. Beaches- Big Beach, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach, Wai’anapanapa, Honolua Bay, and Wedding Beach are some of my favorites. Be sure to go to Little Beach on Sunday evenings for fire dancing and drum circles (warning it is a nude beach, but clothed individuals are welcomed). Hiking- Most of the hikes are on the Road to Hana. There are 100’s of amazing waterfall hikes and cliff jumping. Haleakala offers some unique Mars-esque looking hikes. You can also find some hikes up by Lahaina and Kahalui. I would recommend getting the Maui Revealed book. This was my bible when I was in Maui, it gives detailed descriptions of how to get to all of the hidden hikes. Nightlife- Maui is tame compared to Oahu but there are some good low-key nightlife options. The Bar-Muda Triangle in Kihei has a ton of dive bars and is always a good time. Lahaina has some more upscale bars and clubs that bring in some DJ’s, but since it was an hour from where I lived I did not explore it much. Happy Hour is a big thing in Maui. Almost every restaurant offers a Happy Hour and that is where you found me since the island is so expensive. There are only two hospitals in Maui, Maui Memorial and Kula Hospital. The traveler community is pretty tight-knit so you will get to know other fellow travelers very quickly. Out of 16 assignments, Maui is, and mot likely will be my favorite one. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. Feel free to email me at ryan@medventureapp.com if you have any more questions! MAHALO!  Written by Ryan Cogdill
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