I'm currently in the process of researching travel agencies. I want to take my first assignment in October, but am totally overwhelmed about choosing a company.
I don't personally know any travelers whose brains I could pick, so I'm hoping a kind stranger with travel experience can point me in the right direction.
I'm an ER BSN with two years of experience, 1 1/2 being in level 1 trauma. I'm excited to travel but don't want to find myself in a horrible situation. Any help is greatly appreciated. Names of companies, personal experiences, specific recruiters. Thanks in advance!
Personally, I cannot recommend Advantage RN, Trustaff, or On Assignment (all based in Cincinnati). They all have ethical issues that go way back and are ingrained in their corporate culture. I often make a global recommendation against any Cincinnati based agency to be on the safe side, but Health Force and Tailored are OK agencies as far as I know.
Specializes in Nursing Education, Med-Surg, Home Health, Travel.
I use the VA Travel Nurse Corps! Their application process is a bit more intense than others (actually, a lot....not gonna lie) but it's SO worth it!! I've looked at supplementing with private agencies a few times, but none of them compared to benefits or pay of the VA. Check them out! www.travelnurse.va.gov You may want to begin the application process and take an assignment with a private agency while you wait to hear from the VA though. If you have any questions let me know! :)
I am ready to start travelling after 10 years in the ICU. Have thought about travelling through the VA for years, so will complete the application today. How long have you been with them and where have you gone? What is housing like?
Would appreciate any insights you can give. They don't advertise much and their website is terribly out of date. (red flag?)
I just wanted to thank you for the enormous amount of information you have provided here over the years. Thank you!
I'm a fairly seasoned RN (10 years) in a city ICU and I am officially read to embark on my travel journeys! Was researching travel nursing in 2007, and then 2008 came along. So I have been watching and waiting since.
Just wanted to thank you for all of years of advice you have given to newbies and seasoned travel nurses. I'm excited and nervous, but thanks to travelers like you, I'm feeling more confident about this next new adventure!
Specializes in Nursing Education, Med-Surg, Home Health, Travel.
I've been with the TNC for almost 3 years. I'm been to Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago, Fresno, Denver, Charleston, Anchorage...it's been a blast!
I arrange my own housing through corporate housing folks. The VA pays up to a certain amount (which has always been more than enough).
I don't think the website's out of date, just not a lot of info on it. The "Compensation" tab tells you your per diem rates for every city in the US which is helpful. The only thing I wouldn't even bother with is the "Opportunities" tab. Once you start working, you get emails every couple weeks on current assignments. If you're interested, I can send you a list. That's the only bummer about the program is not having an online current/interactive list; but they're working on it!
Email Jacque Jackson if you have questions (she's the director of the program): [email protected]
Are you driving to all these destinations? Do you rent a car if you fly?
Have a soft spot for our vets, but was hesitant because of the horror stories I've heard about the Philly VA, and of course the other stories about the VA admin in the media. What has your experience been with the work environment? Patient safety is a big concern for me. I would be seeking mainly ICU positions, but have some skills in other units too.
I like the idea of travel but not having to learn a new charting system, policies and procedures, every 13 weeks. Seems like a great way to transition into travel nursing.
Specializes in Nursing Education, Med-Surg, Home Health, Travel.
I drive everywhere, except to Alaska....that was a bit too far for me Certain places are eligible for rental cars (like Alaska and Hawaii). The VA asks that you rely on public transportation when possible, but if it's not available, you can ask for approval for a rental.
Yes, Philly was bad. I don't even know where to begin! That's the only VA I would not go back to out of all that I've been to. The rest were generally very welcoming and helpful, and appreciative of having an extra person around.
Do you work for a VA now? All VAs use the same computer systems which is nice, and since it's government, you don't have to worry about licensing; one license is good for all 50 states! That alone was incentive enough to keep with it. The pay and benefits didn't hurt either :)
How does the housing work? Can you take a stipend (I travel in an RV)? Will they pay you an all taxed rate if you do an assignment in your tax home? How is the pay in comparison to non va agencies? Sorry for all the questions. I tried signing up a couple of years ago. It was like pulling teeth to get someone to call me back about questions and when I did finally bear from someone they had no answers for my questions so I gave up. I'd love to work with vets and would take a pay cut to do if on my I could get more info.
I've been traveling with Cross Country now since December 2014 with my boyfriend and so far it's been a pretty positive experience. It definitely helps to have a good recruiter that communicates well with you and is able to break things down to you as a new traveler as well. Going with a bigger company at first is probably the way to go. Get an assignment or two in with them, see what other companies have to offer, and you can always switch recruiters too. Getting the first assignment in and taking that leap is the biggest step (at least for me it was), once you get that done you can navigate from there! Check with other travelers wherever you work and keep checking back here too... Best of luck!
I am currently a VA nurse and am interested in the VA Travel Nurse Corps. Would love to see a list of current openings. I don't have enough posts to send a message, but would appreciate any information you may have. I was told by a VA-TNC recruiter that all of my benefits would transfer over, but another employee told me that she had difficulties. Am interested in your experiences.
Certain places are eligible for rental cars (like Alaska and Hawaii). The VA asks that you rely on public transportation when possible, but if it's not available, you can ask for approval for a rental. .thumb.jpg.0eaa9eda880b538207d78985bf1f2a41.jpg){kind=small}
NedRN
1 Article; 5,785 Posts
Personally, I cannot recommend Advantage RN, Trustaff, or On Assignment (all based in Cincinnati). They all have ethical issues that go way back and are ingrained in their corporate culture. I often make a global recommendation against any Cincinnati based agency to be on the safe side, but Health Force and Tailored are OK agencies as far as I know.