Cross Country vs. American Mobile

MissAnthrope · Nov 23, 2008

Traveled with CC and am signed up but have not travled with AM. I never had a single problem with CC, my recruiter checked in with me almost twice weekly and I never had to wait more than a couple hours for a callback from him if I left a message (during business hours). The client care lady also called me several times to make sure I had no problems or issues. My pay was never even a minute late.

From what I have talked to my recruiter at AM about, she is super nice and tried really hard to find something for me and always kept me posted about what the progress was on my placements. Unfortunately she was not able to find anything that fit my criteria location wise but I am still signed up with them for the future.

Wish I could say that about the company I am currently with. I'm not too impressed to be honest.

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Nov 26, 2008

As long as you don't accept an "exclusive contract" with CC, you should be ok. That was my mistake and I will never work for them or one of their subsidiaries again. Problem is I liked my recruiter but the company as a whole does not support the nurses IMO. Have not worked with American Mobile.

Tennesseeliving · Nov 26, 2008

I worked an assignment with Preferred Healthcare which is a sub-company of American Mobile. Pros: The housing was excellent. Free health insurance. Cons: My recruiter was hard to get in touch with. I was lucky to hear from him once a week. He also gave out my resume to hospitals that I told him I was not interested in and not even tell me that he did it. So it made me look bad to those hospitals, when I told them I had no idea that my resume was sent to them. The pay for traveling per mile is low, but it is the same pay as C.C.

I on my assignment, I did travel with many nurses from C.C. and I did not here any negative comments against the company.

Good luck and hope you find a travel company:weathersunsmall:

LadyRavenRN · Nov 27, 2008

I have worked for both companies. I have had good and bad experiences with both. AM was the first company I worked for. I have been told that a good relationship with a good recruiter is vital for a good travel nurse/company relationship. After a really bad experience on assignment with them, and no support from my 2nd recruiter, I decided to try CC for my next assignment. While setting that Assignement up my 3rd recruiter from AM called. I only worked with them for 8 months. My recruiter with CC is great, she is currently out on maternity leave and her replacement is only ok, but she will be back, however CC is going to this new tax advantage program that is not in any way beneficial for me. SO I am now talking to NursesRx for my next assgnment I know they are a sister company of AM and i really liked there benefits and had no problems with payroll or anything so I am hoping that a smaller company I will have better luck with recruiters. So far I really like mine she seems to be working very hard to find the right assignment for me. Good Luck.

packtraveler06 · Nov 27, 2008

I worked for a "sister" company of CC (medstaff) my first few assignments. My recruiter was very nice, but never seemed to accomplish any tasks. It would take weeks to clear up any problems (I had numerous problems, like putting me in a beautiful duplex and then expecting me to mow the lawn) and I had frequent problems with paychecks being incorrect. I have been with Medical Solutions for 2+ yrs and have never had one single problem. They are a smaller company, but the customer service and attention to detail is excellent (paychecks are ALWAYS correct, housing is great, pay is very competitive, my recruiter calls me within minutes of a new position that I might be interested in, insurance is decent, and they remember the little things like my birthday and anniversary). I think the recruiter has a major part in the success of the nurse/hospital relationship.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 27, 2008

They are both actually owned by the same parent company.

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Nov 27, 2008

So how many different travel companies are there?? What is the parent company name and do they all report to the same CEO or is there a Board of directors? Shouldn't all that information be easily found and known?

I have found that a good "recruiter" is important but there are just some things that they cannot do. My current recruiter isn't the best but I have had most of my needs met. With my current company. I know who their owner and management is, bytheway.

packtraveler06 · Nov 28, 2008

Does anyone know if there is a website that breaks down who owns what? I was under the impression that the company I work for is a small privately owned company out of Omaha. Is there a way to confirm this info? Thx

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

So how many different travel companies are there?? What is the parent company name and do they all report to the same CEO or is there a Board of directors? Shouldn't all that information be easily found and known?
I have found that a good "recruiter" is important but there are just some things that they cannot do. My current recruiter isn't the best but I have had most of my needs met. With my current company. I know who their owner and management is, bytheway.

There are well over a hundred companies and counting last time I bothered to count..actually quit counting at a hundred ! LOL

I actually don't think CC and AMN are owned by the same parent company....they are both parent companies for quite a few different agencies. They are both known as being the 'evil empire' for their tactics with travelers. Don't get me wrong, they do have loyal travelers but many many travelers don't like them. Good luck in your travels

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

Traveled with CC and am signed up but have not travled with AM. I never had a single problem with CC, my recruiter checked in with me almost twice weekly and I never had to wait more than a couple hours for a callback from him if I left a message (during business hours). The client care lady also called me several times to make sure I had no problems or issues. My pay was never even a minute late.
From what I have talked to my recruiter at AM about, she is super nice and tried really hard to find something for me and always kept me posted about what the progress was on my placements. Unfortunately she was not able to find anything that fit my criteria location wise but I am still signed up with them for the future.
Wish I could say that about the company I am currently with. I'm not too impressed to be honest.

Worked with AMN before..they do not back you up if you run into problems with your hospital. I got no support whatsoever in an unsafe practice situation. If I go back out on the road, I'd travel with a smaller company that could meet my needs. Offered IMHO

LeXXX · Jan 5, 2009

I've had trouble with both companies especially AmMobile the recruiters are very cocky and the hourly pay is always very low than compared to other offers and jobs I have had. I was told that they are publicly traded and that's why their better than the "mom and pop" travel companies. After having worked for a corporate hospital for over two years and the recent upheaval on Wall Street I don't find that to be a good selling point.

I would like to say I wish them luck but I actually hope people read this and think twice before blindly taking an assignment with one of these companies. We are all so susceptible to good marketing. I've found my folly is often believing a product or company is the best because it's all I've ever heard about only to later find, much to my dismay, that I have been duped.

I also would like to pass on something that most of us, for whatever reason, don't speak openly about and that's pay.

Now as a disclaimer this is the talk of myself and MANY other travelers I've spoken to in the time before this current economic downturn. That being said I still think we should be paid fairly and we're never going to get the upper hand on these companies if we keep behaving as if our pay is a shameful thing. So that's the end of the disclaimer.....

I was told a long time ago (ok only like 3yrs ago) that you should never take a travel job for less than $30 an hour.

That's the short answer now for the explanation. Some Veteran Travelers will tell you that they've kicked themselves after finding they were making far less than their traveling counterparts working for different companies. It's true that you can arrange creative pay structures to avoid taxes or pay for a car or bigger apartment but when it comes down to it how much you gross before taxes compared to how many hours you worked. How to get this info upfront from your recruiter I cannot answer.

Next part is: why would a RN, who can get a job just about anywhere and make between $20-30 in their hometown, near their family, where they are all nice and comfy and have lots of friends, drive halfway across the country with only the belongings they can fit into their car to work in a hospital they know little about only to make what they could at home?

If you have a good answer go for it! Work for AmericanMobile who's most certainly taking $20 off the top of every hour you work.

Every time a traveler takes this kind of pay we all lose.

Now how do we get a list of the evil empire?

PM me for references of good companies and recruiters.