Travel Companies to Reccomend?

glfldy436 · Sep 29, 2003

I highly recommend Cirrus Medical Staffing. Excellent recruiter. Would greatly discourage going with Vita Medical Staffing. Vita never did follow up calls to see how things were going on assignment nor did he call to arrange a new assignment. Still have not been reimbursed for license or travel and apparently because I no longer work for them I will not be reimbursed.

AndreaRN23 · Oct 27, 2003

I traveled with Readylink and will NOT take another assignment with them. They have lost my time sheets, lost my nursing license copy... I mean you name it, they lost it! Granted everything was great after I took the assignment, THEN my recruiter got changed and I finished out my first contract and loved the hospital and people so much (this is the ONLY reason I re-upped my contract) after i signed the 2nd contract, the only contact i have had with the company has been because I have called them.... it just isn't worth it. I am not picky or hard to get along with...but it has been a trip.

Dianevin3rn · Jan 15, 2007

Anybody worked with Inovative Placements, Inc?

theresab · Jan 16, 2007

This is my first post....but couldn't wait to respond to this one. I worked for Innovative Placement on my first contract in Nov '05. They are a small company out of Indianapolis area. Switched as soon as my 13 week assignment was up. Found out they were paying me almost half what the other travelers in my dept. were making. I was a newbee and they took full advantage of this. Didn't know how the business worked..but was a quick study. When I attempted to give them a second chance and re-negotiate my extension I was told at one point by my recruiter that I was taking my negotiating for comperable pay to a science. Since when is fairness a science!! After days of dickering and finally coming to an agreement over a figure I made a commitment to extend only to get a call while I was in the nursing office at my travel assignmet to say that they could not honor the offer they made me. I hung up and immediately turned to the hospital representative and appologized by saying that there were problems with my contract, and I wouldn't be able to renew with them. The hospital allowed me to switch agencies. They did the tax advantage program...which I have found the best way to maximize your money. I might add the hospital stopped using Innovative after that because they had experienced other problems with them.

NurseguyFL · Jan 18, 2007

The first travel assignment I took I was also ripped off by the agency. The unit manager at the hospital also lied about several things to get me to agree to take the position. But I learned my lesson from those experiences and now I know what tricks to look out for and what questions to ask.

Anyone who is considering traveling for the first time should take time to check out different agencies and interview with more than one hospital before agreeing to accept anything. Have a written list of questions in front of you when doing telephone interviews and do not be affraid to ask them because some recruiters will try to 'disarm' you with their charm. I may be wrong, but I think it was Carolladybelle who posted a list of questions to ask somewhere in the travel forum and I've incorporated them into my own list.

Don't just go with what you hear or read from one person. Research the threads and read different opinions. Even some of the 'evil' agencies can get you a decent contract if you know what you want and ask all the right questions upfront. Any special terms they promise you should be written into the contract, and be sure to take a copy of the contract with you when you get to the assignment because they may try to go back on their word after you get there. This actually happened to me on my first assignment. Not only did they attempt to switch me to an entirely different shift than was agreed to, but they floated me frequently---even though the contract clearly stated that I was not required to float.

You also have to watch out for completion bonuses that seem too good to be true. I now know that sometimes when they offer these huge amounts its because they do not intend to pay it. If you have late minutes (i.e. getting back 2 minutes late from a break) they add these up at the end of the contract period and they may use this as reason to not pay.

ashlee853 · Jan 26, 2007

I have been offered a job by NursesRX so I was wanting to know if they are a good company? I am new to travel nursing so I am not sure what to look out for. Any info is appreciated!!!

Ashlee

LadyNASDAQ · Jan 31, 2007

I just received quite an offer from ReadyLink. I haven't worked for them. They seem to pay pretty well but I think they are doing that tax advantage plan that I have been warned NEVER to do by my CPA.

yellowbirdtraveler · Jan 31, 2007

Hello all! I am wondering if anyone has ever worked for Readylink? Also, I looked over past forums, and can't find mention of any names of companies to go with or avoid. Would love if everyone chipped in what good and bad companies they have delt with:) TY

To answer your questions, I have never traveled with ReadyLink.

I have been in Nursing for 25 years and the last 7 have been in Travel Nursing. In my years of research as a Traveler I have found out that there are some REALLY bad companies, a FEW good companies and even FEWER great companies. I have worked for Nationwide Nurses and The Right Solutions. Nationwide Nurses is a GREAT company, personal service top of the line, the highest pay and the recruiters are nurse advocates and treat you like family. They don't have as many positions as some of the biggger companies but they have kept me working steady for 5 years. Now, The Right Solutions are BAD,BAD this company is truly out to make a profit and the nurse is left behind. They will mislead you about the assignment, housing and benefits. Then when you try to get out of your contract due to the fact you were mislead, THEY WILL SUE YOU for the cost of the whole contract! My advice to you, is to ask any company you are interested in, if they restrict your employment at a facility if you travel with them and what are the penalties if you do not complete your assignment. Once you start traveling you will meet lots of travel nurses and I always ask them how they like their company and who they have traveled with the most. You are doing the right thing by asking questions before you travel. I sure wish I would have when I first started. :nurse:

yellowbirdtraveler · Jan 31, 2007

I just received quite an offer from ReadyLink. I haven't worked for them. They seem to pay pretty well but I think they are doing that tax advantage plan that I have been warned NEVER to do by my CPA.

I have always done the Tax Free Program and I have NEVER had any problems at the end of the year. The only thing that I had to understand is when you don't pay taxes on part on your hourly rate that is to be used for your housing cost, meals and expenses. You cannot deduct your housing costs again at the end of the year. Also, if you need to borrow money based on your income on your W-2 at the end of the year. W-2s only show your taxed income not your non- taxed. So it looks like you made less money than you actually received. So I would get a second opinion about the tax-advantage being a BAD thing you could be missing out on a lot of tax free money you deserve. I always keep all of my receipts and I also keep a travel log of miles and gas expense to deduct at the end of year. I would take the package if you think it is a great deal! :nurse:

jklp's mom · Jan 31, 2007

Oh my god you have to go with Medical Express. I've been traveling for 2 yrs. and they have been out standing. X is soooooo professional, I've never had any problems. Everything is set to go when we get to our assignment. She works for you on every level. and is now considered to be my friend and not just my recrutier.A good company to go with, I'll never change.

give them a try

capman68 · Feb 7, 2007

I have travelled for 4 yrs off and on. The company I have used for 2 1/2 yrs is Nationwide Nurses. I have worked with Fastaff (very good pay and housing, but too disorganized and chaotic) and local agencies ( which work with you for 2-3 weeks then seem to back off on placement).

Nationwide Nurses have been good too me. They have good communication and cant argue that the pay is very nice. Their housing is very nice to adequate based on the assignment, but have really had no problems with this issue.

They do not have health insurance, but give a insurance stipend to off set cost of insurance. They also give up front travel monies- That is not seen in very many companies. The bonuses at assignment end, I have had no problems.

Like I said I have been a steady traveller for 2 1/2 yrs now and have been with Nationwide for that time. I hope to remain with them in the future.

rodggang · Feb 8, 2007

How is MSN? They seem to have a wide variety of places to travel.

Cris