Trustaff? Yay or nay?

Posts: 1 · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 1

Hi all,
I'm shopping around for the best agency that can offer me the most $$$. Any input on an agency called Trustaff? They seem very friendly and the benefits/compensation is great. I'm a NICU RN. Any other suggestions for agencies?

Posts: 35 · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 35

Trustaff rubbed me the wrong way. When I brought it up in the ER at the hospital that I was working with, a couple of nurses actually worked with them said that they had a terrible experience with them. They too thought they were friendly and helpful, until they signed the contract. Then it went downhill. They over promised and only delivered frusturations. A coworker recommended Access Nurses and I can not be more impressed. I love my recruiter, Brooke. From what I can tell, all of the people there are amazing.

Posts: 3 · Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 3 Location: cincinnati

I have heard several things about them as well. Just wondering about the tax program they offer.

Posts: 4 · Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 4 Location: International Falls

Hello guys,

I too traveled with trustaff but i thoroughly enjoyed my experience. The tax advantage program worked great for me because i stayed with my college room mate while on assignment in Texas and was able to put all the money for housing back into my pay check. I plan on going to the Virgin Islands in September with them. My recruiter is Kara Schaufert and she is definitely a seasoned veteran when it comes to taking care of her nurses. I would definitely recommend her services in finding a travel assignment.

Posts: 43 · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Iowa

As an RN who's been traveling for years, take it from me, Access Nurses is the best company to work with. They've been so good to me.

I spoke with a recruiter at Trustaff when I was first searching around for a company and wasn't really impressed. I never got quick responses and they couldn't offer as high of paying jobs as Access.

Good luck!

Posts: 4 · Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 4 Location: International Falls

Yeah, i guess what is comes down to - is that there is no company who is going to make 100% of their nurses happy while i am sure they try. I am quite sure there are nurses out there who have not been happy with Access's services just like there ones that weren't happy with trusatff. I suggest finding a recruiter who you feel comfortable with and go with it, like i have done with Kara at trustaff.

Posts: 4 · Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 4 Location: International Falls

i have heard good things about CrossCountry as well, they just don't offer the pay rates that trustaff does.

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

When discussing travel agencies, PLEASE NOTICE the "join date" of the member who defends a certain company or hospital that has been criticized. You'll notice the join date in the same as the reply date. The Nurse Travel companies are putting people on nurse forum sites who pose as members but who are only on the site to refute criticism. They are well aware that travel nurses will tell other nurses about bad experiences they've had and are trying to "put one over" on us nurses. PAY ATTENTION TO JOIN DATES and REPLIES.

We nurses stick together...abuse us at your peril.

Posts: 5 · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 5 Location: chicago

I traveled with Access and have to say that they ended up pocketing a lot of money. I realized this when I talked to the other travelers there who were making 10 more dollars an hour. I was in california and they have different labor laws which affect overtime pay and this wasn't explained to me correctly by access. All agencies are in it to make money, they're a business. Best bet is to look around at a lot of agencies and then negotiate. It's business, negotiate them against each other and it's amazing at what better offers you'll get.

Posts: 43 · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Iowa

windycity wrote:

I traveled with Access and have to say that they ended up pocketing a lot of money. I realized this when I talked to the other travelers there who were making 10 more dollars an hour. I was in california and they have different labor laws which affect overtime pay and this wasn't explained to me correctly by access. All agencies are in it to make money, they're a business. Best bet is to look around at a lot of agencies and then negotiate. It's business, negotiate them against each other and it's amazing at what better offers you'll get.

I agree that nurse agencies are a business first and foremost, and that's why negotiating and being clear about your expectations is so important. I'm sorry that you weren't happy at Access. I've been with them for years and my recruiter always gets me great assignments. I'm always honest with her about what I need and she doesn't bother trying to sell me assignments that don't pay what I want. If you're still looking around at companies, feel free to give my recruiter a call. Her name is Jessica. Seriously, she's amazing!

Posts: 6 · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Cambria, IL

I contemplated a contract in St. Thomas, VI with TruStaff. They were not very upfront with me about the hospital or the pay. I told the recruiter that I would not sign a contract without speaking to someone who is or had recently worked there. They gave me two numbers to call and finally someone returned my call after two weeks. Evidently the situation in VI is horrific! It is a government funded hospital, which means if they run out of funding halfway through the month and you are out of supplies.......too bad, you make due with what you have. The hospital does not always have hot water or a/c. Also the pay was NOT what I was quoted by the recruiter, and living expenses there are higher than Hawaii. The nurse I spoke to said she averaged $20/hr. where the recruiter told me to expect $40. I wouldn't trust them.
Trish