want to OR travel in '09-when to do I inquire?

You could inquire and sign up for them anytime to get the paperwork over with. Then tell them the date you wish to start.

If you know the hospital that you would like to travel with, I would call first to be sure what travel agencies they have contracts with. Just to know if the ones you like are contracted with them or not.

Anything can change over time. The hospital may not even be hiring travel nurses when you're ready to travel.

If you know where you want to go and have the time I would suggest visiting the area and making contact with the hospitals there. See what their needs are and what openings they have. I should take my own advice, because I know where I want to be in the winter months, but would rather play while I am there. I spoke with a couple hospitals a few years ago in the area that I visit but so far the travel companies have found a place that is close enough. You have a different situation and I have been very lucky. The hospitals offered "seasonal contracts" with attractive pay but no housing and very limited options on insurance. Sounds like you don't plan on relocating and really don't plan on traveling very far from home base. Be sure to check with your tax professional regarding your "tax home" so that you don't have any surprises at "tax time"!

Good luck,
Rod

You are talking about Fall, 2009, which is 14 months from now. There is not one agency that is going to know what contract that they are going to have available then. Assingments are always varying and not all facilities where you want may have an assignment at the time that you are going to need one.

Most do not have definites on anything until about two months out from the start date. And there is nothing to do with school either until then as it will depend on where you get the contract.

The other issue is that you need to be aware that the contract may be for only three months and not renewed; what will you do then? This is something that always needs to be considered and what if you have signed a lease for six months or a year? You will be responsible for that.

Have you ever worked at another facility besides where you are now? If not, would highly recommend that you work per diem agency at a few to see if you would actually like it, things can be quite different from what you are used to.

I haven't done this in a while but have started back to full time travel nursing and will have more first hand experience this fall and next spring.

In the past I would determine how long I could stay at an assignment (some facilities have a maximum, either take a staff position or move on.)and then about a month before I planned on leaving I would find out what assignments were available. Depending on how many companies you want to work with will determine how many choices you will have. Hospitals try to work with as few agencies as possible so if you work with only one agency you are limited to the hospitals they have. I was very lucky in the 90's and had a recruiter that just got me where I wanted to go for several years. I stopped traveling when she left the company. Wish I could find my Ilana again.

So, in answer to your question. Look at the hospitals you think you want to work for. See if you can find out what agencies place nurses there and then fill out all the paperwork for those agencies. Have all your licenses up to date, make sure your ACLS and LBS are not going to expire during a contract and any other certifications you hold. Start calling the agencies a couple months before you wish to travel, just to find out if there are positions in your chosen area and then about a month before you have to have an answer start calling twice a week till you find the contract and have an interview. Be sure that only one agency submits you to a facility, but during your interview you may find that another agency is preferred. It can be stressful, especially if you don't start early enough. There are some hospitals that contact you as soon as they receive your paperwork and others that wait for days and sometimes weeks. I've accepted my second choice assignment many a time only to have my first choice call me for an interview while I was on my way to the next job. I just tell them they missed out this time but I may submit after the current assignment is up. Did that in Florida and got a call the same day I submitted the second time.

Good luck,

hope this helped.

Rod