Hi all,

I have accepted my first 13 week travel assignment with 1 year experience on a Med/Surg/Tele unit. It is with a company in which I have heard many negative things about, but decided to go with. Anyway, I am starting to feel nervous as I am scared they may cancel me before the assignment begins as I have been reading throughout this forum..My contract states guaranteed 40 hours/week... Also, is it allowed that if I am in the area 2 weeks before my start date I talk to the manager of the floor I will be working on to ask for policies and procedures manual to get myself familiarized with it before hand so I won't have such a hard time adapting as I heard some facilities only have 1 day orientations? Is this acceptable to do to even introduce myself to the manager / make a visit to the hospital before my first day? Any suggestions? Thanks so much for all of your help as I am very very excited, yet I have no experience in traveling and would love any support ! :redpinkhe

Hey Shoe Girl!

Sorry I don't have any advice for you, just wanted to wish you a great big GOOD LUCK! I hope your assignment goes smoothly. I also hope to be in your first-assignment-shoes within the next two years (I graduate in May). I've seen lots of great advice from these nurses on the forums so I hope you get some soon. Take care and keep us posted!!!

Thank you Harley 0511! Good luck in your studies! :)

Usually you can request an interview or phone conversation with the NM (seems like your interview process is over already though) to get all of your questions answered and introduce yourself. I will be starting my first assignment on Monday and only picked this one out of several offers because I had the best rapport with the NM (one in particular was "too busy" to speak with me and answer questions after being offered a position by the interviewer).

Having said this I would talk to your recruiter and voice your concerns and see if anything can be done to settle your fears.

Good luck!! And if you do not feel comfortable with a situation always go with your gut instinct.

It is always a good idea to do a couple of runs to the new hospital and see where to park, walk where your orientation will be, and what floor you will be on. Speak to your company before you enter the unit and start asking to see the manager. That seems out of the ordinary as managers are very busy. Good luck!!