Nursing And Allied Travel Jobs - The Real Story
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Douglas_Ryder]John Douglas Ryder
THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO THE STORY!
I've been a medical traveler for many years now and have had numerous occasions to review a large number of Travel Company web sites. Most of them contain some type of Q & A section that explains how they work and what they offer. I've found that the information given, while accurate, is very incomplete.
Most of what I've learned about the medical travel industry has been learned through the proverbial School of Hard Knocks. It occurred to me recently to write an article that expanded on the usual information given on medical travel websites, an article that presented (as Paul Harvey used to say) the "Rest of the Story."
And so...here we go!
SALARY
Travel Company: On their web sites Travel Companies usually state a salary range that they offer depending on the type of position, your area of expertise and your experience.
Rest of the Story: What you are initially offered for a travel assignment is usually not the top dollar that is available for that assignment. Most travelers merely accept what they are offered believing the "deal is the deal" for that particular assignment. I used to do that too... but not any more!
You especially limit your chances of getting the best salary for your assignments if you choose to register with only one travel agency. When you do that, you give away all leverage to negotiate for better pay. I am always registered with multiple travel companies so I can compare several potential assignments at once and negotiate for the best over all packages.
There are numerous other "pitfalls" when it comes to getting the most compensation for your travel job. For example, it behooves you to clarify the stipulations for receiving certain types of bonuses and whether you must work solely for one company to earn those bonuses. Again, if you work for only one company, you may unknowingly forfeit higher compensation in other areas of your benefit package in order for the company to offer you those bonuses, in which case they can hardly be called a bonus.
Remember, you can always, "work your best deal," (negotiate) with several companies while still remaining highly professional. In addition, knowing how to ask for more will telegraph to a recruiter that you know your business and will position you to receive the best offers.
HOUSING
Travel Company: Travel companies always state they will provide you with fully furnished housing while you are on your assignment.
Rest of the Story: You may be asked to share a two bedroom apartment with another traveler, even a stranger, who is working at your same location unless you know you can request a one bedroom separate apartment.
Some travelers have been "required" (because they merely accepted this arrangement) to live in an extended stay facility for the entire 13 weeks of an assignment. This is very cramped quarters and becomes extremely wearying after just a couple of weeks.
I have seen travelers deal with other conditions that were very undesirable such as having their housing located too far from the hospital. I had this experience on one assignment (before I learned to clear all that up in advance!). Each morning I had to make my way through 10 miles of early morning rush hour traffic to reach the hospital.
In addition, fully furnished means different things to different people. If you don't know what to ask for in advance you can be stuck with things like a poorly furnished kitchen (only a few sad looking pots and pans for cooking) as well as sparse and unattractive furniture (an ugly green sofa and purple chair spring to mind).
Knowing what your options really are and how to ask for them is paramount to having a comfortable, safe, convenient and enjoyable living arrangement. Multiple considerations are there for the asking, but you definitely have to ask. By clarifying in advance what I need and expect, and by applying simple to learn negotiating techniques I've perfected over time, I now receive the very best housing accommodations on all my assignments.
GENERAL BENEFIT PACKAGES
Travel Company: All travel companies offer a variety of benefits besides housing and salary which can include per diem pay, travel expenses, bonuses, clothing and equipment reimbursement, insurance, continuing education, 401 K's, etc.
Rest of the Story: Travel benefit packages are definitely not all equal! For instance, one travel company's insurance coverage may not start until 30 days after you have begun your assignment versus a policy offered by another company that becomes effective the first day on the job. These and numerous other "small print" concerns can come back to bite you if you're unprepared!
I've also talked to nurses who were never offered per diem pay (the average is $30.00 a day or $210.00 a week) but others were receiving it simply because they asked for it!
Some were told they could elect to have per diem pay but would receive fewer benefits in other areas if they chose that option. However, that was not the case for other travelers who refused that trade off. I know I continually receive per diem pay on ALL my assignments without sacrificing any reduction in other areas of compensation.
To make your travel experience the most lucrative and enjoyable, it pays (literally!) to know what is available as well as how to access those top of the line benefit packages.
TRAVEL PROVISIONS
Travel Company: Travel companies offer a variety of ways to cover your travel expenses. If you are required to fly to your assignment, your flight costs will be paid in advance and your travel itinerary arranged for you plus a rental car will be provided once you arrive at your destination. If you are desirous of driving your own car to your job site, you will receive mileage compensation and/or a flat fee amount for travel expenses.
Rest of the Story: Travel companies can save a lot of money by booking you on flights that leave or arrive at undesirable times of the day or night or that re-route you all over the place, necessitating you change planes frequently.
I had that experience early on in my travel career (oh what a novice I was then!), when after 3 stops, and long layovers, I finally landed at an airport at 1 am in the morning that was a full two hour drive away from my job site! Just to add to the misery, after that two hour drive in the middle of the night I arrived to find the hotel booked for me was the ultimate rat's nest with a stuck heater system that turned my room into an unbearable steam bath.
I also have some rather interesting stories about the type of cars that were rented on my behalf (tin can anyone?). Fortunately I've learned how to avoid all those nightmares and now travel comfortably and at reasonable hours.
The point is that if you don't know your way around the available travel options, plus know how to negotiate for the best travel considerations, you can have some pretty nasty travel experiences.
JOB LOCATIONS
Travel Company: Travel companies paint a somewhat glamorous picture of the places you can travel and the wonderful experiences you can have.
Rest of the Story: If you're a traveling novice there is a very good chance you will end up in some out of the way place or hospital that is anything but glamorous. Travel companies are anxious to fill whatever positions that present (after all, that's how they make their money!) and so they can offer less than desirable job locations to those who don't know how to navigate the system. That certainly happened to me the first time I took a travel position. I landed in a miserable little town with a very boring job assignment. It made for a very long 13 weeks!
Just knowing you might get dealt the "low end of the deck" if you're new to the game can help you avoid something really dower. However, even seasoned travelers are often not getting the best assignments that are available. Thankfully, over time I've learned what to ask for and what to avoid, and more importantly, how to spot a bad job location no matter how many bows are on the package.
THE BEST JOBS
Travel Company: Travel companies accurately state that a recruiter will contact you about a job opportunity and will give you a general overview of the job, its requirements, and what salary and other benefits are being offered. You will also have an opportunity to ask whatever questions you wish concerning the position.
Rest of the Story: Recruiters are going to provide the basics of the potential job assignment to you but they are not going to go into any great detail unless it is in direct response to your questions. You should also be prepared to ask pertinent questions of the hospital representative if you should decide to interview for a position presented to you by the recruiter.
I remain astounded at the number of even experienced travelers that either do not ask many questions concerning a potential job assignment or don't know what to ask to find out the "nitty gritty" of what the job really entails. As a result, there are many travelers who are quite "surprised" (and not in a good way!) about the real facts once they reach their job destination. And of course, like it or not, they are bound by a legal contract to fulfill their assignment.
Just by asking the number of staff that will be working on your floor or in your department, the number of patients or tests you will be expected to oversee or perform, and the ratio of permanent and travel staff, you can begin to get a definite feel for what you will encounter. Recently while considering a position, I was able to ask those questions plus several others that revealed there had been a recent "uproar" in the department with people leaving in mass, leading me to decide not to jump into the fray.
I am always being treated to the latest horror story concerning jobs that were anything but what they were thought to be. That doesn't have to be your story if you learn the right questions to ask in order to get the real picture.
IN CONCLUSION
As you can see, knowledge is power! Without it, you're in for a very bumpy ride in the medical travel world. I've explained just a few Q & A areas where travel companies are only giving you the basics of the process. Unfortunately, relying on "just the basics" will have you collecting a few horror stories of your own!
J.D.Ryder is the author of the Insider Secrets to Medical Travel: Tips and Tricks for Getting the Best Paying Positions. To learn how you can maximize your travel experience including tips for negotiating your benefits package, please visit [http://www.medicaltravelsecrets.com]
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Nursing-And-Allied-Travel-Jobs---The-Real-Story&id=764351] Nursing And Allied Travel Jobs - The Real Story
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Top Holiday Travel Tips
By Jeffrey Meier
Are you ready to get started on the travel journey of a lifetime this holiday season but feel as though you are forgetting something important? Don't fret! All you need are a few holiday travel tips to make sure you stay on the right track. Whether you're going to spend time with your family, or are taking everyone on a fun getaway, it is important that you plan well. So to help you out I am providing some holiday travel tips that will make your vacation time with family and friends a breeze.
Find Out Peak Travel Dates
One of my top holiday travel tips is to find out when the peak travel dates are - then avoid them like a plague! Peak travel dates have two problems associated with them: 1) plane tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and more tend to be more expensive, and 2) everyone else will be traveling on those dates, hence the name peak travel dates. If possible, plan your vacation time at work a few days before the peak travel period so that you can avoid the rush. And also try to plan coming back a few days after - that way you can almost always guarantee reductions in prices, reductions in holiday traffic and reductions in headaches.
Do Your Comparison Shopping
It is important to stay abreast of holiday travel tips that help you find the best deals for your money. That starts with finding flight specials and continues with locating vacation destination deals. If you are going to visit family for the holidays and are not in need of a hotel room or transportation when you arrive then flight costs are all you will need to take into consideration. There are plenty of websites that give great holiday deals. Shop around with the major travel search engines such as Expedia and Travelocity, but also look at Cheaptickets.com and others for great rates. Also, you will be surprised to find that many airlines will have great deals if you search their website directly. And if you want the best comparison shopping experience, I recommend using SideStep.com. They use a side-by-side comparison of every flight special, sorted by price. I have found the greatest success using their services.
If you are traveling to a destination that does not include free room and board, then one of my holiday travel tips is for you to comparison shop for great all-inclusive package deals. You can find great places to stay during that holidays that have 3- and 5-night vacation packages with meals and activities included. Also, you will want to try to get a car factored into the price if you need one for your trip. The more specific you are when planning and the earlier you book, the better your results will be.
Plan Your Connecting Flights with Great Care
This is one of the holiday travel tips that will reduce your stress level significantly. I say this because I know the feeling of sitting in the airport waiting to board the first of two connections when you hear the airline attendant politely (and nervously) inform passengers that the flight has been delayed for an hour or more due to a snow storm in "Sock-It-To-Me," Kansas. When you hear the news, your thoughts quickly shift to your connecting flight that is probably scheduled to depart on time - 30 minutes after this flight is supposed to land. You know pre-boarding begins 30 minutes prior to take off to ensure the flight leaves on schedule. And that's when questions like "What will I do if my flight doesn't land before the other flight takes off?" and "Are there additional flights available?" begin to rush through your mind. And of course, the final thought will be, "Why didn't I schedule my connecting flight for a later time?"
This anxiety can be avoided by choosing connecting flights that allow for an hour and a half or more of layover time. I know that when you make the choice to find connecting flights as close as possible to the time your first flight is to land that you are simply trying to get where you're going quickly and want to avoid boredom in the airport. But usually one and a half to two hours isn't that long when you consider that it takes time to exit the plane, find the connecting flights departing gate, which could be in another terminal, then get settled before it is time to board the second plane. Besides, if you allow yourself the extra time, you are almost guaranteed the promise of making your connecting flights - a promise that is more than welcome during the busy holiday season.
Plan Your Packing In Accordance with Current Airport Security Measures
This is one of the holiday travel tips that actually sounds unfair - and trust me; I used to feel the same way too. But after enough hassles at the airport security station, I finally gave in and realized that I couldn't change what I couldn't control. So now, instead of fussing at the ways airports are trying to ensure our safety, I simply plan ahead by packing my belongings in accordance with their security measures.
One way to do this is by making sure to pack all of liquids and gels that are larger than 3 ml in the bags I plan to check. The airport has signs up everywhere that let you know that you cannot carry liquids and gels through the security checkpoint; these items include lotion, toothpaste, baby oil, aerosols (hairspray), perfume bottles, bottled water, and much more. If you carry them through the checkpoint they will find and confiscate them - you cannot stop this from happening. So to avoid the drama, why not simply pack them away and happily greet them at the baggage claim at your destination? You are allowed to carry liquids and gels 3 ml and smaller in a zip-top, clear bag, so you are not completely left out in the cold. And by sticking to the rules, you, your family, everyone in line behind you, and airport security will be much happier.
Remembering this helpful holiday travel tips will definitely help make vacationing during this holiday season a better experience. If you are in need of additional holiday travel tips, remember the last time you traveled and all of the challenges you faced, then apply them to the holiday season. By doing this you can assure yourself that you won't be faced with any unwelcome surprises.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com
Top 5 Travel Tips - Eye Opening Vacation and International Travel Tips
Before we jump let me point out that I not going to cover the typical surface travel tips. Instead we are going cover the principle travel tips and discover what mind set is needed to gain the best experience wherever you go.
Some of these travel tips will be hard for you to apply but after 8 years of traveling the world I have found these 5 travel tips to become a motto and guideline for me. I hope that you take them in and really consider them the next time you take off to gain more experiences.
Travel Tips #1 - Be open and don't plan everything out:
"Do it with the locals." This is a huge travel tip to follow when traveling. You can never beat the knowledge of a local and I would highly suggest to avoid sitting at your computer and trying to figure everything out.
The KEY is to get a few travel tips about the area. The next step is to myspace or facebook some locals down there and ask them what's cool and if you could meet up for a day or two to have some local fun with them. Most locals will love this opportunity and the experiences you have from that are priceless. I still remember a time in the Brazil where I did this and ended up in some tribe in the Amazon being taught Capawara by a Capawara Master. I could have never planned that from a desktop.
Travel Tips #2 - Immerse yourself in the culture:
Everyday you should be trying something new but more importantly you should constantly be stepping out of your comfort zone.
One of the best travel tips I can give you is this "Give yourself all the experiences you can h." Experiences are directly relate to your personality and ultimately the quality of life you are going to have.
Here's some interesting information. When you're out of your comfort zone you fall into what's called the state of dissonance. The body and minds goal is to become comfortable again so as it starts to eliminate the state of dissonance and creates comfort again. When this process happens the body mind and expands, personality grows, lessons are learned and you can now handle more situations in life. Next time you travel try not to create a home away from home and instead let whereever you are at impact you.
Travel Tips #3 - Chose your travel companions wisely:
This travel tip is an all encompassing principle in life. It has become apparent in these last few years of traveling that the quality of life and our fulfillment and happiness is greatly effect by the support and relationships around us.
I have seen to many travelers take off on a journey with someone that shares the same dream to travel but completely different lifestyle and it ruining the trip for them. The sad part is you find these people in amazing place completely involved in this drama scene instead of being involved in the beauty and culture.
The moment this became apparent was 3 years ago in Costa Rica. I was sitting on the beach in a surf town named Montezuma. The sun was beginning to set and it was one of those perfect conditions for a beautiful one.
While sitting there a hostel roommate sat down next to me and after a few questions about his travel he began to release all of this built up baggage he was holding in about his travel companion. While sitting there watching this beautiful sun set I realized he had no clue it was happening. The truth is not everyone is a good travel companion for you but when you do travel with the right one your traveling and experiences are going to be 100 times better.
Travel Tips #4 - Tie up any loss ends and disconnect from your life at home:
Technology was supposed to give us freedom and instead it has started to control us. Most people can't go more then three days with out checking email or their personal site, 5 minutes with out responding to a text message and a few days with out checking in with their peeps.
The point to catch here is where ever you are physically at in life is REALITY. Anything that's in not present such as home, old friends, family, old lifestyles is a memory and more importantly only a thought. There is a famous quote I love to reflect on:
"You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present." ~Jan Glidewell
This is a very important principle in life and travel. You have a certain amount of energy a day, you can either place that energy on a thought in your head or you can place it on the experiences in the present. Where you consistently place your energy will determine who you are and how much fulfillment you get out of life.
Travel Tips #5 - Focus more on the experience then a trophy picture to show your friends:
This travel tip ties into travel tip #4. What I always find fascinating is the amount of people that go out traveling just to take pictures and show them off to their friends back home. Pictures are great for reflection and to keep your memory bank full of good moments and they are not good when it turns into competition and distractions from the moment.
Bonus Travel Tip - Don't over pack
This is the simple travel tip but it shocks me how much happier I am when I apply this. Ten pair of shorts, 20 shirts, your favorite 3 pairs of shoes and your massive bag of everything you could possible need is what I call unnecessary and mental hassle to take care of.
I prefer to buy cloths along the way to better immerse my self in the culture and to pack light with one the top 10 necessities. This makes your more mobile and free from lugging that useless crap around. Next time you travel consider writing a list of the 10 thing that are the most important things to have on your travel and let go of the rest.
After 8 years of traveling I found these travel tips to be of up most importance. As I was saying before some of these are going to be hard to apply but if you decided put the effort in an apply these travel tips you are going to find yourself having more experiences and more fulfilling adventures.
Go to http://www.MoneyForTraveling.com to discover more Travel Tips
Author - Tyson Hale - Travel Income Guru - Discover 3 passive income blue prints that you can implement today to give you freedom to spend your time the way you want to - FREE. Go to http://www.MoneyForTraveling.com and start making money and have your Freedom at the same time.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com
Going Abroad - Foreign Travel Tips
By Darlene Berkel
Have you ever traveled to a far-away destination for a vacation? If you have been to "the islands" did you enjoy the sun, sea, and sand? Imagine going on a tour of European castles or of archaeological sites of ancient civilizations in Mexico? How fascinating that would be!
Fast forward to the 21st century! What a difference 100 years make! Today hundreds of thousands of travelers and vacationers venture off to the most exotic corners of the earth. Business executives zip around the globe in their private jets. Students venture off to foreign lands for study abroad programs, and for vacationers"¦the entire world is their backyard.
Traveling to a new place where people speak a foreign language, spend a fancy currency, travel with different methods of transportation, is a very exciting adventure. There is so much to anticipate, dream about, ponder and prepare for, that for some travelers it might seem a bit overwhelming. However, by following a few foreign travel tips, the journey can be smooth, exciting and everything dreams are made of.
The most important foreign travel tip is to research the country that is being visited on the vacation. It is very important to seek out books, online resources and friends to make sure that not one detail is overlooked. An excellent way to visit a foreign land is to actually mingle with the locals and see what the real culture is all about. Often times people travel is small tour groups or visit resorts; both options provide for great vacations but do not allow the opportunity to really get involved with the local citizens.
A valuable foreign travel tip is to find time to mingle with the citizens of the foreign countries visited it is the only way to truly absorb the true flavor of the land and it's people. This experience will stay in the heart of the traveler forever.
From Dream to Reality, The Value of a Travel Plan Outline
Once it is determined which foreign country is to be visited and the key points of interest have been identified and reviewed, it is now time to create a travel plan outline. The creation of a travel plan outline helps to realistically determine the timeline of the vacation. The travel plan outline is a fundamental foreign travel tip that is priceless. Using a travel plan outline allows for the identification of travel needs, hotel needs, locations to visit, points of interest and financial expenses.
The travel plan outlines the entire vacation and assists in bringing the dream a bit closer to a reality. When discussing foreign travel, it is also important to mention a valuable financial foreign travel tip, which is to visit a local financial establishment to obtain currency for the foreign country that is to be visited while on vacation. Familiarity with the foreign currency will make it a much easier transition from U.S. citizen to foreign traveler as well as it is also a good idea to have a few dollars to pay for a coffee, taxi fare of other incidentals without having to immediately trying to convert from United States currency to a new, unfamiliar currency.
Just about every country in the world has entered the tourism market, and each country has something that a tourist or vacationer would enjoy seeing or experiencing. Just follow the foreign travel tips mentioned above and you are bound to have the vacation of a lifetime.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com
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