Debating between Travel PT Contract Options
Hi everyone,
I'm currently a permanent staff PT but have thought about doing travel PT since graduating PT school 3 years ago. I've started the process and have 2 contracts I'm interviewing with this week. I will likely need to make a decision fairly quickly about which contract I'd like to take after interviewing if I'm offered the job. I'm very torn on what to do and would love to get others thoughts, especially if anyone is or has been a travel PT. I currently work a peds/adult split in OP in the Midwest. Here are the options, starting around mid to late September.
Job 1: Minot, ND
Population: Primarily Pediatric OP but will supplement to get full 40 hr with coverage in their Adult OP clinic as well in the same building (ideal population for me)
Pay: $1200 per month more than Job 2 after taxes and lower COL
1-1 45 minute evaluations and treatments with 30 minute doc time at the end of day
Option to work 5x8 or 4x10
Less ideal location especially for winter, though other larger Midwest cities (Minneapolis) within a days trip (~7-8 hr) by Amtrak or car, Canadian border < 2 hours away, and Winnipeg ~5 hr away
Job 2: Bainbridge Island, WA
Population: OP Ortho
Pay: $1200 per month less than Job 1 after taxes and HCOL area
1-1 40 min treatments (haven't interviewed yet so unsure on evaluation time allotted or if they have dedicated doc time in the schedule)
4x10s with 12-14 patients per day
More ideal location with access to Seattle nearby (~45 min by ferry) as well as nature with Olympic National Park ~2 hr away and Victoria and Vancouver BC and North Cascades all only ~3.5-4 hr away
I'm from the Midwest, so I'm used to crazy weather including bitter cold and snow in the winter but probably not as consistently cold as what ND would get in the winter. I've always wanted to explore the Pacific NW and have loved the mountains in CO and UT when I've visited in the past. I also love exploring the national parks and both places would have this option within driving distance with WA obviously have more parks nearby vs ND.