Being submitted for my first travel assignment - how is it supposed to work?

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 12, 2010

Also, how does one handle the situation where you are offered a position for which two different companies submitted you?

Reigen · Apr 13, 2010

Being submitted by two companies for the same opening is NOT a good thing. The facility will see both and will most likely pass yours by. The thinking behind this practice is that you are 'not that loyal", and while I think its not a fair way of thinking, it is what it is. Some may have other thoughts and ideas about being submitted twice by two agancies.

Tell the agencies NEVER to submit you unless you tell them that it is OK to send your information.

The agency should be able to tell you more information about pay, benefits, etc., before you give them the go ahead to submit you. At the very least a ball park figure should be given to you.

My agency does call with the "I have an opening at XYZ, in State of, the rate per hour will be ABC, 123 will be the taxed rate and 789 will be non taxed (the per diem ). Insurance for just yourself, should run about $1.50 per hour worked.

This will be on the (floor / unit) and the shift will be (days /nights). Would you want us to arrange housing, or would you find your own? Would you kike us to submit you for this?

I juggle three agencies, and I keep a "log" of where each has submitted me, and I never allow any of them to submit me unless I say yes, I am interested and I will be available for a telephone interview on day X between these times (__ and __). I give date and time to call so that I am not sitting by the phone all day long.

Good luck with your traveling, I have beeing doing this for about 20 years now.

Reigen

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 13, 2010

The other issue for hospitals when you are submitted by more than one agency: They don't want to get caught in the middle of a dispute as to who "owns" the contract - it could end up costing them money or cause the traveler to back out if threatened with a penalty for not going with one of the agencies.

It's easier for them to bypass your submission and the conflict and go with someone else.

And as Reigen said I always know all the particulars: rate, location, shift, any special requirements, and even if it is an area known to be difficult for housing (I do a lot of odd rural areas) before being submitted for any interview.

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 13, 2010

Being submitted by two companies for the same opening is NOT a good thing. The facility will see both and will most likely pass yours by. The thinking behind this practice is that you are 'not that loyal", and while I think its not a fair way of thinking, it is what it is. Some may have other thoughts and ideas about being submitted twice by two agancies.
Tell the agencies NEVER to submit you unless you tell them that it is OK to send your information.

Thank you. Darn, I wish I could rewind the clock 48 hours. When travel company number 2 called me and told me about the assignment (she hadn't yet submitted me), it didn't dawn on me until after we hung up that this was the hospital that company 1 had submitted me for the previous Thursday. I called her right back and said wait, a different company had already submitted me for that assignment, and she said "Oh that's okay, that happens ALL THE TIME. You can just go with whichever contract is better." She made it sound like, well, like this happens all the time and it's no big deal.

Company 1 called me back later yesterday, asking if the hospital had contacted me for an interview, and I said no, hadn't heard anything. Now I feel bad that I didn't say anything to her about the fact that Company 2 also submitted me for the same assignment. I don't want them to think I'm being underhanded or unethical. Oh well, I haven't heard anything from the hospital, so I'm guessing they went with someone else.

I hate feeling like a fish out of water here. This is all so new to me, and I don't like feeling I don't have control or the upper hand.