do you need advise on travel nursing?

Posts: 1 · Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 1 Location: michigan

leeannrn wrote:

I've heard rumors of 50+/hr and of some companies even flying you out to work your hours and then flying you home every week...too good to be true? Please let me know if you have any info. I've talked to many CA travel companies and have yet to be amazed. Thanks!!

I would be interested in this answer as well. Do companies really fly you in and out every week? If so which ones? I see a lot of needs in CA on the agency websites that I've visited. AZ, also.

I have been agency nursing for 5 years now. (13 week contracts with consistent re-newals) All those years at the same hospital! 2 years ago, that hospital formed their own agency and I went with them. So I've never actually had to travel more than an hour away. It was a great deal while it lasted. However, this hospital is now in severe financial difficulty and has all but completely phased out agency RNs. No contracts at all available. I've been picking up what I can, per diem.

Long story short, I have been looking at travel agencies, hoping to travel locally(because I have a family/children and can't/don't want to be away too long at a time) without much luck at all. I applied to Aureus. They strung me along with several different job offers and then they all 3 fell through . So I signed on with HPC, which had me all set up to start a contract, I planned my schedule around it and it also fell through. So I agreed to travel(still in MI) to a facility that I was told "always has needs". That was 2 weeks ago. I've inquired twice(once per week) and get the "I'm still waiting for a response back from them" answer every time. I am so frustrated. For those of you with more experience, is this the way it works? Does it normally take you months to get an assignment?!?!?!?!

re: pay. I was also quoted a pay rate much lower than I am used to getting, $30-$32. By both travel companies I mentioned. The agency I work for now pays me $38 weekdays/$42 for weekends.

I have also found that Indiana jobs (for travel nurses) are pretty much non-existent, jobs in Michigan are scarce, unless you want Detroit, and very little in Illinois. Is this a true picture or am I just looking at the wrong agencies?

I would appreciate any advice.

Posts: 7 · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 7 Location: INDIANA

I know what you mean about the frustration, and as fair as I can tell Indiana is hard, Il has more opennings, but you have to shop around. It does take forever to get started

Posts: 4 · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: jersey city, NJ

I start my assignment in Kaneohe, hawaii state hospital, my housing is in Waikiki, they couldn't find anything near my work place. I'll have to rent a car, my husband will follow after a month, my son will come 2 weeks later with my Dad. I didn't want my husband to quit his job just yet...I'm new at this and get panic attacks hahah..my recruiter so far has been very interactive. I'm with Onward Healthcare..please how is Hawaii and the apartments?

Posts: 4 · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: jersey city, NJ

Pls. Alaska101, I'm starting my assignment on the 21st, would love to talk to you before I leave next week.

Posts: 4 · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: near Austin, TX

[quote="jumod"]

leeannrn wrote:

Does it normally take you months to get an assignment?!?!?!?!
.

I talked to Julianne at Access Nurses during the third week of June; I started my first assignment in AZ on July 3rd. I think part of it depends on how well you interview and your experiences, but honestly, I never expected to get work so quickly!

If you call her, tell her Liane sent you! Wink

Posts: 2 · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Washington

Alaska 101 - (Or whoever wishes to answer!!!)

I am extremely interested in starting to join the field of travel nursing..would like any experiences that you have had that may influence how I choose companies, assignments, do negotiations, etc.

Any and all information would be appreciated, especially regarding Hawaii and California!!!

Thanks!

Dana

Posts: 3 · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Location: new orleans

Please see my post about negotiating schedules on this site. I'm interviewing today for my first travel assignment and would like to know if I can negotiate this aspect of my contract. Thank you so much for your offer of assistance.

Posts: 6 · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Eagle River, WI

I have a question: I hope to start traveling within the next few years, as soon as my kids are on their own. I live in Northern Wisconsin, and I would like to know how to pick a reputable travel company, how do you know who is good and who is not? Thanks.

Posts: 7 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 7

Hey Alaska 101,

Love what you have had to say! I am a new traveller and think I am getting screwed by the companies, however, I am not sure I have a strong enough back bone (or any for that matter) to get what I want. I would love to chat with you and pick your brain. My husband is also travelling with me. Here is my email: skay0522@hotmail.com. Thanks! Smile

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