So for those of you that don't know how this works- let me give you a brief explanation of travel nursing. We work for a company that finds temporary nursing jobs all over the country in both of our specialties. We tell them what states interest us, and they do their best to find us jobs in or around those places. Most assignments last 13 weeks but if we like it, we can extend. Then they set us up in a fully-furnished apartment. Caleb and I told our recruiter to send us to places that are the furthest from our comfort zone. In the beginning we were dreaming big. Alaska! Hawaii! The whole west coast! But as the process began, we had to think a little more realistically. We still want to spend a lot of time out west and in the pacific northwest, but we knew our first assignment would be the toughest to get. Many hospitals are wary of first time travelers and therefore, our choices began to dwindle.
When we left our coworkers in November, everyone thought we were headed to Arizona, Texas, or someplace warm. So did we! But as the interviews began, things kept falling through. There was always a reason. No first time travelers, no ICU positions, no ER position, no hospitals close enough together for each of us, no night shift available- the list went on and on. Our recruiter finally leveled with us. It was time to apply to the cold places...
So in went resumes to Madison-Wisconsin, Omaha-Nebraska, Manchester-New Hampshire, and St. Lois- Missouri! We had always said that the exciting thing about travel nursing is not knowing where we will end up. Sure it's fun to pick out some of our favorite cities, but there is something thrilling about just going wherever the job lands us. After a week of waiting, we got our first assignment for January...
So in went resumes to Madison-Wisconsin, Omaha-Nebraska, Manchester-New Hampshire, and St. Lois- Missouri! We had always said that the exciting thing about travel nursing is not knowing where we will end up. Sure it's fun to pick out some of our favorite cities, but there is something thrilling about just going wherever the job lands us. After a week of waiting, we got our first assignment for January...
and the winner is...
manchester, new hampshire
Now most of you that know us are laughing right now. Believe me, we were too! So much for "anywhere warm"! But within 20 minutes of getting our interviews, we were so excited. We found out that this cute little New England town in only 50 minutes north of Boston, and about 30 minutes from the boarder of Maine. We love this part of the country in summer, but have never experienced it in the dead of winter! We immediately shifted out thoughts of deserts and cactus, to snow covered Boston streets, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling! Our adventures will just be colder than originally anticipated!
The hospital sounds great. Elliott Hospital is about the size we are both used to and is a Level 2 Trauma Center. Caleb and I will both be working nights and can self-schedule our shifts together. Which is a good thing because I don't know how his car will handle the snow! We can't wait to explore beautiful New England together...but I think we need some better boots...