Some travel nursing questions

[cowan19]

Hi everyone. I am an ER nurse in Michigan and I have been thinking more and more about trying travel nursing. I would like to go to Nashville, and I have found a specific job posting at a hospital in Nashville that interests me.

Can you experienced travel nurses guide me with some advice about how to potentially acquire this position (or one similar) as a travel assignment? Should I contact the hospital directly and ask if they contract with certain agencies? There seem to be so many agencies from which to choose, it's hard to know where to start.

Also, my overall vision would be to do an assignment from Sept to Nov, take Dec off and return home, do another from Jan to March, and then return to my home in Michigan to work at my current hospital during the summer. Does this seem feasible?

I welcome any and all advice about travel nursing! Thank you! --Erin

[NedRN]

Doesn't the post list an agency?

Yup, lots of agencies. Best thing to do is call lots of them and pick the ones with recruiters you click with and trust. Calling lots of them will give you a crash course on picking an agency, as well as provide info on market rates for you in Nashville.

Is this an HCA hospital? If so, you might try contacting Parallon, an agency owned by HCA. Working for them will get you first crack at any assignments (assuming better qualifications than other Parallon travelers wanting the assignment), but even though effectively all other agencies are Parallon subcontractors, paradoxically, you might get better pay from third party agencies. Don't sign up with any agencies though until you have talked to a dozen or so. Definitely don't sign up with Parallon until you have talked to other agencies, doing so may commit you to working only for Parallon at HCA hospitals.

[cowan19]

Oh, I can see how this was confusing. I found the job posting on the hospital's website, not a travel company website. Thanks for your reply!