Alaska travel, help with Agency to use

79Tango · Aug 29, 2011

Honestly if she is sounding great after 3years I would stay with her.. Ive never been to AK but I have dealt with a lot of stupid recruiters and "fly by night" companies. IMO, Alaska has less room for error and at least you know she's been doing it for 3 years.

nurseinpa · Aug 31, 2011

I am planning on going to Alaska also in spring/summer. I signed with Banner Travel and hoping they have openings there at that time. I'm in Glendale, AZ now. Hot hot!!

larniegrl · Sep 3, 2011

There are some agencies that have an exclusive with Providence up there. I think Cross Country has one.

dixRN · Sep 3, 2011

I am currently on a travel assignment at Providence in Anchorage. CrossCountry holds the contract here but will subcontract from other companies if they can not fill a need. However if you are subcontracted you are the red headed step child. Your best chances for getting a Providence travel assignment is to go directly through CC. Be aware that the cost of living here is the highest I have yet experienced. It is higher than Hawaii, especially car rental. If possible have them include a car rental in your package. Being a tourist here is also expensive. Little flea bag hotels are $100 a night, etc. Research expenses so you know what to expect.

Worldtravelgirl · Nov 4, 2011

DixRN, how are you enjoying your experience in AK? I'm hoping to do a travel assignment there next year. I'd love to hear your thoughts! I'll definitely research the expenses before I go, though. Is it more expensive than CA? I live in LA now, and the prices are astounding!!

dixRN · Nov 5, 2011

Alaska is huge. I have been here 5 months now & made numerous trips & seen just a fraction of what there is to see & do. I have seen glaciers calving, numerous whales including belugas, eagles galore, salmon spawning, etc. Mountains & glaciers are everywhere. The sheer physical beauty of the state is overwhelming. I frequently feel like I have stepped into a National Geographic special. I would highly recommend any traveler who can to take an assignment in Alaska just for the unique experience. I only wish I could stay for the Iditarod bu my contract ends mid Dec. & they will not need me past that.

But it is very expensive in tourist season May through Sept. 15. I spent way more than I made the first month I was here but the trips were worth it. My suggestion is to come with several extra thousand dollars to spend. Also the cheapest car rental in the summer was $1200/mo. but I was able to get a corporate rental rate of $650/mo. just to give you an idea. Studio apt. with utiliies about $1200/mo. Groceries & gas are also higher here than the lower 48 states.

Worldtravelgirl · Nov 5, 2011

Wow, thanks for the info. So Alaska will be down the road when I'm a little more financially stable. I can only imagine how beautiful the state is! I ant wait to see it!

Worldtravelgirl · Nov 5, 2011

dixRN, sorry one last question...what did you think about the people and the hospital? Friendly? Decent ratios?

dixRN · Nov 6, 2011

Alaskans are great, very friendly. Staffing ratios at Providence in Anchorage were good & the staff friendly & helpful. It has been a very good experience. You have to be sure & get some stretches off so you can make longer trips, but in the summer there are plenty of day trips around Anchorage. I would have loved to take a contract in the bush as that would have been such a unique experience but I am too specialized & can only work at larger hospitals.