How is the job market in California right now (2012)? - Page 3

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  1. Aug 2, '12 by
    Very encouraging LoveAlwaysV! I will be on my way down there shortly and maybe I will end up being your colleague
    LoveAlwaysV likes this.
  2. Oct 14, '12 by
    "Job market is awful but you can always get in worn a travel assignment...they always hire or try to recruit the travelers. I have been working as a traveler in L.A area strictly for the past 6 years without any lapse with my assignments, so yes it can be done and they always tried to recruit me to become permanent staff. Don't let anyone discourage you from what you want especially since there are tons of hospitals to choose from. Good luck."



    I was interested in this as a way to get into a position once I have a little bit of experience. I still am waiting to go to nursing school BUT it is important for me to keep an eye on the prospects of working so I can make sure the nursing expense and time won't be a wash. I currently volunteer in a hospital in Oxnard and enjoy the program. We can work a little bit with the patients and help the nurses. I am also working on my EMT, as I could not get into the pre-reqs I needed. Only a few more to go. =) We have some travelers that work a the hospital but I see them all the time. It is almost like they are regular staff without actually being regular staff.

    Do you just put yourself on call on certain days and times and wait for a call or is it for a block of time with regular shifts or?? Do you need alot of experience? I don't need the insurance so traveling (if it dos not require it) would not bug me, as long as it is within a few hours drive. I also wonder if you need to have experience in the specific dept they assign you to? How does a nurse gain that experience--the different departments? ONce you are trained in one then how do you get in another? Thanks--just apprehensive of the economy and the job prospects! I KNOW this is something I really want to do and especially after the last year volunteering at the hospital and all the great experiences I hace had!
    Last edit by bbmtnbb on Oct 14, '12 : Reason: cut and paste came out wrong-oops
  3. Oct 14, '12 by
    Quote from bbmtnbb
    "Job market is awful but you can always get in worn a travel assignment...they always hire or try to recruit the travelers. I have been working as a traveler in L.A area strictly for the past 6 years without any lapse with my assignments, so yes it can be done and they always tried to recruit me to become permanent staff. Don't let anyone discourage you from what you want especially since there are tons of hospitals to choose from. Good luck."

    I was interested in this as a way to get into a position once I have a little bit of experience. I still am waiting to go to nursing school BUT it is important for me to keep an eye on the prospects of working so I can make sure the nursing expense and time won't be a wash. I currently volunteer in a hospital in Oxnard and enjoy the program. We can work a little bit with the patients and help the nurses. I am also working on my EMT, as I could not get into the pre-reqs I needed. Only a few more to go. =) We have some travelers that work a the hospital but I see them all the time. It is almost like they are regular staff without actually being regular staff.

    Do you just put yourself on call on certain days and times and wait for a call or is it for a block of time with regular shifts or?? Do you need alot of experience? I don't need the insurance so traveling (if it dos not require it) would not bug me, as long as it is within a few hours drive. I also wonder if you need to have experience in the specific dept they assign you to? How does a nurse gain that experience--the different departments? ONce you are trained in one then how do you get in another? Thanks--just apprehensive of the economy and the job prospects! I KNOW this is something I really want to do and especially after the last year volunteering at the hospital and all the great experiences I hace had!
    Usually you need at least 1, if not 2, years of experience in your particular field before joining with a travel agency. When you get your assignment, you only have a day or two of orientation to get to know the floor so you really have to know your stuff. Most travel assignments are 13 weeks and you work a set 3 or 4 days per week. Specifics will be in your contract.
  4. Asst. Admin
    Oct 14, '12 by
    Quote from dariah
    Usually you need at least 1, if not 2, years of experience in your particular field before joining with a travel agency. When you get your assignment, you only have a day or two of orientation to get to know the floor so you really have to know your stuff. Most travel assignments are 13 weeks and you work a set 3 or 4 days per week. Specifics will be in your contract.
    Same thing also applies to non-travel staffing agencies. You really to have experience under your belt because the orientation you will receive is minimal. You will not get Nursing 101 in your orientation because they expect you to already know what you will be doing as a nurse. Instead, the orientation will focus on things specific to the facility you will be working at.
  5. Oct 22, '12 by
    Quote from cookiemonster84
    go work for davita. they will hire you no matter what your exp, because they are gonna have to retrain you for dialysis anyway. i know it can be a crap place to work, but you will have a job, 401k, benefits, and only have to work 3 days a wk, and can always move up to FA or whatever you wanna do. good luck
    Do you think this will be true in 2 years still? Thanks for the tip.
    f8dagrate likes this.