Travel Nurse Scam?

Atl-Murse · Apr 13, 2015

Hello Everyone
Recently I applied for a travel nursing job at company called: The Right Solutions or TRS.
Travel Nursing Healthcare Staffing Agency | TRS Healthcare
They called me back asking for my date of birth and social security number.
Also in an email they asked for a copy of my drivers license, social security card.
They also asked for usual RN license and certs (ACLS, PALS, CPR).
My question is: Is it normal for the company to ask for these before I have a position or do they ask for this normally right away.
I ask this because everyone is used to giving a copy of drivers license, birth certificate and social security card in HR at all permanent jobs to do background check.
But is this standard for travel agencies? Should I be concerned about identity theft?
I am new to travel nursing agencies.

Quick Google search reveals it to be a legit company in Arkansan with physical address

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

Since it's standard practice for any HR to do background checks on employees prior to making offers (or they make an offer contingent upon passing the check), why wouldn't you expect a travel agency to do the same? After all, they are responsible for making sure that the people they place aren't frauds or criminals, so.....why not?

FYI, my current job required A TON of information including what you mentioned, all prior to receiving a firm offer (based only on tentative).

1alphamale · Apr 13, 2015

Since it's standard practice for any HR to do background checks on employees prior to making offers (or they make an offer contingent upon passing the check), why wouldn't you expect a travel agency to do the same? After all, they are responsible for making sure that the people they place aren't frauds or criminals, so.....why not?
FYI, my current job required A TON of information including what you mentioned, all prior to receiving a firm offer (based only on tentative).

I am more gearing my question toward someone with experience dealing with travel nursing.

I am all familiar with whats required in standard practice.

What usually happens per my post is that at any nursing job you go through interview, and then they check your references and background.

Then if by saving money or standard protocol (as usual by my past hospitals I have worked) HR will get your copies of RN license, state license, ACLS, and what have you later, along with your social security card when they want to hire you.

My question is geared toward someone that know travel nursing not someone that blindly thinks they know.

I want to know is it standard to ask information such as social security card and drivers license right away before anyone considers your employment feasible to hiring you at the travel nursing company.

Someone who recently or is doing travel nursing please answer.

My concern is regarding identity theft, after reading articles posted on this site.

Question is about protocol and focus on travel nurse

allnurses Guide · Apr 13, 2015

How rude.

You may wish to go to the travel nursing forum if you are that specific about the only people who you want to help you. You posted in a general forum on a public board. As such, anyone can answer. You aren't entitled to any kind of level of expertise. If you are suspicious call the Better Business Bureau and do some investigating rather than asking strangers to do it for you and then getting irritable when you don't like what is being said.

Good luck.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

I applied with an agency (local, not travel) and I had no interview at all. They went straight to documents. When I finally did go by the office, it was to fill out more documents and talk about what kind of shifts I was looking for.

Agencies don't actually care about you. They care about having bodies on their roster.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

I am more gearing my question toward someone with experience dealing with travel nursing.
I am all familiar with whats required in standard practice.
What usually happens per my post is that at any nursing job you go through interview, and then they check your references and background.
Then if by saving money or standard protocol (as usual by my past hospitals I have worked) HR will get your copies of RN license, state license, ACLS, and what have you later, along with your social security card when they want to hire you.
My question is geared toward someone that know travel nursing not someone that blindly thinks they know.
I want to know is it standard to ask information such as social security card and drivers license right away before anyone considers your employment feasible to hiring you at the travel nursing company.
Someone who recently or is doing travel nursing please answer.
My concern is regarding identity theft, after reading articles posted on this site.
Question is about protocol and focus on travel nurse

Wow, you are really QUITE rude, you know that? I was polite and didn't "blindly think I knew" anything, I was completely appropriate. It's not like you were paying for a service, for heaven's sake, and it wasn't ME who was totally out of line.

Perhaps, for you, travel nursing with very short assignments in which no one has to spend much time with you is a GREAT idea.

Buh-bye!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

How rude.
You may wish to go to the travel nursing forum if you are that specific about the only people who you want to help you. You posted in a general forum on a public board. As such, anyone can answer. You aren't entitled to any kind of level of expertise. If you are suspicious call the Better Business Bureau and do some investigating rather than asking strangers to do it for you and then getting irritable when you don't like what is being said.
Good luck.

Unreal, right? I think I can see why "Alpha Male" might have issues finding employment at all....anywhere.

To any travel nurses out there who have the information the OP so rudely demands, I say CHARGE him for it! :sneaky:

SO rude!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Apr 13, 2015

I have a tip for you, since you're so concerned about identity theft. Sign up for identity guard & credit monitoring.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

I have a tip for you, since you're so concerned about identity theft. Sign up for identity guard & credit monitoring.

Since English is obviously not his first language, such a contract might be more than he can manage. Better have someone else EXPLAIN it to him, on his terms. But, of course, only an expert in the field will do. :rolleyes:

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 13, 2015

Thread moved to Travel Nursing forum.

OP, members are just trying to help. All Nurses have opinions that can benefit you.

Let's all cool down and go from here ...

NedRN · Apr 14, 2015

It is the usual custom to submit all the documents required to land an interview first and find if the hospital wants you before going to the expense of a background check. Most agencies will require an application, but the minimum is your work history, credentials held (just a list, not copies), a skills checklist, and two references in hand. They can ask for more, personally I don't give it. I don't want the extra work either!

It is possible that TRS has been burned a couple times going through the process and then the traveler failing the background check or using someone else's license. That makes them look bad to their client hospitals so I can't blame them if so. Some hospitals also require a SSN to look at the initial traveler profile so that is excusable as well. But TRS should explain why they want sensitive information up front.

It is true that the more your SSN is out there, the easier it is for your identity to be "stolen" or misused. Once it is out of your hands, you have no idea if it going to be faxed insecurely or emailed (almost as insecure). I would express your concerns and ask why they need your SSN before a job offer. If you like their answer, proceed. If you feel like you cannot trust them, move on. Lots of agencies eager to help you find travel assignments!

And BTW, TRS is a well known and respectable agency, not a newcomer.