Any input on tavel nursing compaines??American mobile?

yogalove · Nov 3, 2011

I'm also looking to begin travel nursing and have the same question as you. I've been doing some research online about companies and I've read some good and bad things about American Mobile - mostly bad though. It seems like with the bigger recruiting agencies you might get "lost in the mix" so to speak. I have also heard that your satisfaction and success depends very much on how good your recruiter is, and how well they can work with you. I hope some other RNs who have experience travelling can give us some good ideas on some companies that have high satisfaction from their travel RNs...... :lol2:

79Tango · Nov 3, 2011

You guys just need to post your resume's and see what comes your way. No matter what anyone says about AMN or any other Company out there-- Your experience is going to be YOUR experience. Yes, satisfaction has a little to do with the company or the recruiter, but Success (being offered an extension or getting another assignment) has way more to do with you the traveler.

wanderlust99 · Nov 4, 2011

Please stay away from AMN. I was with them for 3 years. I was abandoned by my recruiter on my last assignment. I got my dream job in my dream city, interviewed with the hospital, but my recruiter would only house me in horrible apartment complexes across the street from the projects, where gunshots occurred frequently. I ******* about it and kept trying to get better housing and eventually she just stopped answering my calls. The whole experience left me sad and I felt betrayed as I had worked with her for 3 years.

The other big thing was on my last assignment she housed me in unsafe housing. She said she had no idea, but I later met another nurse at my hospital who shared the same recruiter & told her she was housed in this complex and had to fight so hard to move.

I switched companies and I travel throughout CA so I'm pretty familiar with pay. I found it odd that other companies offer 3-4 dollars MORE an hour for the same facilities at the same time. I can give you names of hospitals. The stipend and the quality of housing is significantly lower than other companies as well.

Also your recruiter may lie, like mine did, (PM me for her name if you're interested) and try to get me to not take travel reimbursements in order to get a nicer apartment, etc... When you are new to traveling you don't know everything and a recruiter who is pretending to be nice to you, pretending to be on your side, ends up just taking you for everything you have...it leads you to mistrust the company.

What kind of company supports behavior like this? AMN has the bad reputation FOR A REASON. I was dumb at one point, read my posts, I would support AMN and back them up....but please listen to other travelers and stay away.

yogalove · Nov 4, 2011

Thanks for the input guys! Posting my resume is exactly what I'm going to do. I talked to two recruiters today and one of them told me that having your ACLS certification is (obviously) much more valuable. The pay offered would be much more due to having a specialty certification. Unfortunately I let mine go 2 months ago because of a job who wouldn't pay for re-certification, but now I'm being proactive and becoming re-certified myself.

I'm definitely not looking into AMN at all. Hopefully there are no horror stories about Cross Country??

Worldtravelgirl · Nov 4, 2011

I am also looking at travel nursing in 2012. I have a few friends that have used Cross Country Travel Corps, and had no complaints. Just beware of recruiters, like the others have said. They tend to try to explain things too quickly in an effort to keep certain truths from you. My friend is with CCTC and they reimburse him fir his nursing license costs when he goes state to state, but I was told they do not. Hmmm...stand your ground and make sure you get what you want!

weatherbugs · Nov 4, 2011

well, I have to say i really appreciate all of your feedback. Its nice to hear from someone who had experience with travel nursing and American Mobile! I was supposed to interview this week but I might consider changing companies!! Any one else use a company that they enjoyed working with?

weatherbugs · Nov 4, 2011

Getmethisnownurse I am new website and was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving me some more info. I am not sure what PM is?? let me know. thanks.

yogalove · Nov 4, 2011

Worldtravelgirl, thanks for your input on CCTC. Yes, they did talk very fast when I talked to them!! I'll keep that in mind about covering the cost of new RN license costs. And weatherbug - i think you have to post at least 15 times before you can PM someone. I'm still trying to figure it out too! :idea:

Worldtravelgirl · Nov 4, 2011

RNyogi, you're welcome! Yes, my recruiter went so fast that I when I look back at my notes, I'm lost! I'm still struggling with taking the plunge because I like the floor I work on, but I want to see the country! I'm just worried I won't get my hours. Like everyone else, I have bills to pay. Please let me know if you have more questions and I can ask my friend. He's been a great source of info for me. Don't forget to ask about the facility, too; like do you have to pay to park, that should be reimbursed, etc. And you do need 15 posts before you can PM .

yogalove · Nov 4, 2011

haha....i felt the SAME way when looking over the notes I'd taken while talking to a recruiter from Cross Country. I do, however, know that there is one company out there that will guarantee you 36 hours per week, and they will pay you even if you get called off by the hospital. (Once I'm able to PM, I can PM it to you.) I feel like travel nursing is such a great opportunity that you should try it, and if you don't end up liking it you can always go back to your floor!

I've been looking around, doing some shopping between companies online today. I think it's probably best to talk to at least 3 companies, to see what they can all offer you. It can be really hard trying to figure out which company will be good to you....as it seems like they are ALL trying to attract RNs to their company. (They are all making themselves sound gREAT!) :confused: What has anyone heard about Freedom Healthcare Staffing?? What about Nurses in Partnership??

79Tango · Nov 4, 2011

Ive heard of both of those companies.. They too have really fast talking recruiters.. One talked to me so fast I didnt even catch the name of the hospital Id just been hired & it was an ASAP start.

Luckily the recruiter was AWESOME and paid for my flight, rental car and TNCC certification. They did try to put me in an extended stay but I opted for the housing stipend and asked the recruiter find me a roommate (which he was happy to do).

I ended staying with them off and on for the past 5 years. Whenever I run out of $$, I just call them up and they send me out.

Which company is better? I honestly cannot say, but I am certain both would give you the same deal.. You just need to submit you profile. Let us know how it works out!