Considering Traveling

NedRN · May 7, 2013

Parallon is owned by HCA and 95% of their jobs are at HCA hospitals. You actually need to ask for opinions about HCA but you won't get many good ones. If I was interested in working HCA, I would try another agency first. No one at all on your side if you use Parallon. But you will get first crack at HCA assignments if you use Parallon, money is sometimes less than other agencies.

Fastaff is a rapid response/strike company. Good pay, lots of hours, not a great selection of good assignments (crappy hospitals), bad service - especially if you don't already work for them.

Freedomsong, NP · May 7, 2013

Thankyou so much NedRN. Do you have a travel agency you recommend?

NedRN · May 8, 2013

I don't know the first thing about you. How could I recommend an agency? I'm guessing you've never traveled before. Location, pay, housing, service, number of jobs, specialty, experience, license: all would make a difference. Every agency has their fans. I'd suggest just getting any assignment with any recruiter that you communicate well with and then you will know a lot better what you may want. The mantra in traveling is "it is only three months". So the first experience won't cost you much time.

I'd be happy to comment on other agencies, but I would suggest that you actually talk to them first.

Freedomsong, NP · May 8, 2013

I'm an ICU nurse with a compact state license. I am currently working in MS, never traveled before. I'm working at the hospital in the small town I grew up in and am 35 now and wanting something more. I thought this would be a great way to add more experiences and memories, not to mention I don't want to live in MS all my life. Thankyou so much for the feedback, I appreciate it.

NedRN · May 8, 2013

I still don't have specific agency recommendations for you - you'll just have to get out in the trenches and start talking to recruiters until you find a few who you click with. Think about where you want to go. Some popular states like California and Florida need some lead time, so you might want to acquire such licenses proactively before looking for assignments there. Picking a few select states may also make you more marketable, you are competing for compact state assignments with a lot of travelers. In general, compact states pay less as well.

Also consider taking a year at a large city hospital as staff in an interesting city. You might also find that the extra experience will also improve your assignment choices. That would basically be a long travel assignment! Just don't tell them that.