Any recommended agencies????

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Hello - just throwing a question open to you guys - am thinking of trying to get agency work in the US so that I can get a visa and my NCLEX sat, with a view to maybe finding my own empliyment after say a year or so of working with the agency.

So....... you guys got any agencies you have dealt with and had good or bad experiences? What agencies would you recommend _ I have heard some bad things about OGP!! Thanks

Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
Isn't that an OGP thing - I've not heard of this 40 hours to complete your contract with an agency that get's you a direct hire job?

I think we may have a communication mishap I re read my post and I was going around the houses to say agencies=20 months because you work 36 hours a week and to complete in 18 months you would need to do 40 hours a week.

Hospital direct hire is different-sorry for confusion

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agency work in america is called per diem, as and when you are needed.

the travel companies that bring uk nurses over here are called agencys. i did an ogp contract and worked 80 hours every 2 weeks, 7 x 12 hour shifts, which was 3 one week and 4 the other. this took me exactly 18 months. the contracts are worked out on hours and you have to work every one before you are finished, so even if you take time off even sick time then you have to make it up.

when you are here with them then you are known as a long term traveller.

the other way is direct hire with a hospital that will give you a contract for an allotted time.

its a personal choice, as we know nurses who have had problems with both ways.

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What agencies would you recommend

From what I can gather, they are all GREAT :banghead:

Cheers

OG

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Specializes in med/surg.
I think we may have a communication mishap I re read my post and I was going around the houses to say agencies=20 months because you work 36 hours a week and to complete in 18 months you would need to do 40 hours a week.

Hospital direct hire is different-sorry for confusion

Thanks for clearing that up - I've already written to my agency just to make sure but as they arrange direct hire contracts they say that it's not an issue for me - PHEW!!!

It is a timely reminder to make sure that you check out ALL the fine print before you put ink to paper!

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Trust me nothing will make sense on your contract until it goes wrong, and if nothing goes wrong then you are laughing.

The contract for my agency which I only understood after things went wrong made me realise that my contract only states what happens to me if things go wrong NOT what their responsibilities are-they have NONE.

I kid you not they have no responsibilities towards their employees what so ever. At first glance it appears they do but they only have responsibility towards nclex and immigration-none if the sh hits the fan when you get here.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I have been abandoned in America with zero support from the agency, and not even a offer of support. They havent even bothered to phone me since 27th March, I have had surgical proceedures recently and I kept them informed but no phonecall to see if I lived.

Imagine if I was a single nurse with no family and no support.

I believe if you are brought over here and work for an Agency who earn lots and lots of money from you-they should be able to support in times of need and have in place a 'family support team'. I know they are a business but we are talking about bringing foreigners over to a foreign country, surely there must be something these people can do.

After all if you treat your employees correct then you will get back loyality in return.

I know I sound bitter I am not, I am just p*****d and the more they ignore me the crosser I become.

Please come over here and keep lots of money in the bank for emergencies-if you dont need it great you can go on a wild vacation but if you do great because you will struggle.

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Specializes in med/surg.
Trust me nothing will make sense on your contract until it goes wrong, and if nothing goes wrong then you are laughing.

The contract for my agency which I only understood after things went wrong made me realise that my contract only states what happens to me if things go wrong NOT what their responsibilities are-they have NONE.

I kid you not they have no responsibilities towards their employees what so ever. At first glance it appears they do but they only have responsibility towards nclex and immigration-none if the sh hits the fan when you get here.

I think you sound like you've been really badly treated & let down by your agency & your tale is a real wake up call to all of us to tread very carefully. As people have reminded us countless times on this site the agency is in it for themselves & their profit & you are but a means to their gain!

It has certainly helped me to only go with someone who arranges direct hire contracts - when I sign my contract it will be with the hospital I'm working for & not an agency!

The down side is that with this type of agency you have to pay for many things yourself - e.g. the BON fees & all the N-CLEX fees but that is worth it in my opinion because right now I could still walk away & go it alone if I wanted too. First I have to get my N-CLEX result then I'll see what employers they find for me, if I'm not happy I'll kiss them goodbye. They even told me I could do as much & that they'd still be happy to guide me in the right direction vis a vis immigration process etc!!

I don't think they could be any fairer than that?

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Specializes in med/surg.

Actually I want to add that it all looks pretty scary & I will truly not sign a thing until I have poured over ALL the threads here I can & probably PM'd just about everyone who I think will have info!! So beware if you're one of those :wink2:

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
I think you sound like you've been really badly treated & let down by your agency & your tale is a real wake up call to all of us to tread very carefully. As people have reminded us countless times on this site the agency is in it for themselves & their profit & you are but a means to their gain!

It has certainly helped me to only go with someone who arranges direct hire contracts - when I sign my contract it will be with the hospital I'm working for & not an agency!

The down side is that with this type of agency you have to pay for many things yourself - e.g. the BON fees & all the N-CLEX fees but that is worth it in my opinion because right now I could still walk away & go it alone if I wanted too. First I have to get my N-CLEX result then I'll see what employers they find for me, if I'm not happy I'll kiss them goodbye. They even told me I could do as much & that they'd still be happy to guide me in the right direction vis a vis immigration process etc!!

I don't think they could be any fairer than that?

I paid for my own NCLEX and study materials, 350 pounds and I paid for lots of other things inbetween. They paid for my flight to come over to start work and my nursing licence endorsement. First nights accomodation on arrival.

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Specializes in med/surg.
I paid for my own NCLEX and study materials, 350 pounds and I paid for lots of other things inbetween. They paid for my flight to come over to start work and my nursing licence endorsement. First nights accomodation on arrival.

Okay I'm truly am going to PM anyone who might be useful if I pass N-CLEX (You included :kiss) should find out result tomorrow. I know people here say it's fine to go it alone & maybe - if an agency is going to abandon me anyway - that would be better!

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
Okay I'm truly am going to PM anyone who might be useful if I pass N-CLEX (You included :kiss) should find out result tomorrow. I know people here say it's fine to go it alone & maybe - if an agency is going to abandon me anyway - that would be better!

If everything goes well for you you wont be left destitute-they do get you over here and pay you. It is a way to get your dreams just be informed and prepared.

They just havent the experience to trouble shoot. I heard just recently that a couple of friends had come over together to Cali and they had a massive car accident days into getting here-the agency they came with washed their hands of them. What could they do they didnt have health insurance because that doesnt start until you start work, so all you brits who are coming over please make sure that you get health insurance to cover you until you start work and make sure youre covered through the 30-60 day clause.

Any pre existing illness's check the small print

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
If everything goes well for you you wont be left destitute-they do get you over here and pay you. It is a way to get your dreams just be informed and prepared.

They just havent the experience to trouble shoot. I heard just recently that a couple of friends had come over together to Cali and they had a massive car accident days into getting here-the agency they came with washed their hands of them. What could they do they didnt have health insurance because that doesnt start until you start work, so all you brits who are coming over please make sure that you get health insurance to cover you until you start work and make sure youre covered through the 30-60 day clause.

Any pre existing illness's check the small print

If anybody feels I am telling untruths just ask Suzanne-she has many more horror stories.

I am not saying dont come with an agency I am saying be prepared and cover your booty-and dont have great expectations.

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