Experienced Travelers Do Tell Please

oMerMero · Mar 28, 2007

I did most of my interviews about three weeks out. I did have one that was a few days before the start date, but I was already living in the area, so I didn't have to worry about moving. Keep calling your recruiter everyday to see what they have for you. It can be stressful not knowing where you are going to work, but you should be able to find a place. Are you looking in a specific area, or are you willing to go anywhere?

winnievanurse · Mar 28, 2007

ive been looking in a specific area b/c ive love it here but need a new hospital. i think your right im just stressed due to not knowing whats gonna happen. i guess its my type A comin out. but thanks for you reply it makes me feel a lil better that im not lookin too soon. lets keep our fingers crossed!!!

oMerMero · Mar 28, 2007

I always had a hard time waiting, also. I hate not knowing what I am going to do. But, I would just tell myself...ok, it is not the end of the world if I am forced to have a week or two off, I can use the vacation even if it is unpaid. Good luck!

winnievanurse · Mar 29, 2007

Thank you! Vacation is always good!!

sandals · Mar 31, 2007

hi

i have been doing perdiem nursing since 1990 and have always loved the independence that it has provided me plus the better hourly wage. i have recently become employed with a staffing agency that is trying to enter the travel nurse business. not sure what it is that a travel nurse looks for in picking an agency. what is the nurse expected to do since they never meet with their agency. does the nurse need to do her own drug screening, back ground check, skills testing and so forth?any insight that you can give me into travel nursing would help

thanks

oMerMero · Mar 31, 2007

does the nurse need to do her own drug screening, back ground check, skills testing

Many but not all facilities require a drug screen before your start date. So you may end up doing a drug screen with every assignment. Your company will tell you where the closest location to do that is, and the company will pay for it. The background check is done before your first assignment...you sign the form saying it is ok, and the company does the rest. You do not have to pay for that either. My company had a skills checklist to complete, as well as a critical care test that I needed to pass before I could start. There were also some mandatory education things that needed to be completed. Those were all done online through rn.com

elmay · Apr 2, 2007

i'm starting my first travel assigment and i didn't get an interview until 2 weeks before my start date. Actually, I had 3 interviews the same day...I made a quick decision and took an offer the next day because i still had some paperwork to complete before i started on the job (ie. drug test, physician statement, and a colorblind exam). So no worries :) Good luck to you :)