friend had great pay and decent experience

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Hello!

Had a few comments/questions regarding travel nursing. I'm preparing to start travel nursing this summer with the possibility of doing this long term. Fellow nurses of mine have had recent experience doing this and loved it. One just came back from Florida and was bringing home $1700-$1900/week. Now, from most of the posts on here I don't see anyone getting that kind of pay. Why? She had a few minor issues with the company but stated basically it came down to recruiter errors. Another nurse went to California a few years back and made major bucks. I would be lying if I said that money wasn't a major motivator in my decision, but also the chance to travel and all the new experiences. So what are your thoughts on pay? I have a handful of agencies I have been or will be in touch with: Aureus, Nightingale, Healthcare Seeker, PHP, and Expedient. A couple of these companies are the ones my friends used. Any thoughts???:nurse:

Specializes in ICU/CVICU/ER.
Dina, Im going to do some research and then take my 1st travel assignment in Sept. Do you have a reccomendation for which company to choose, or which to definitly not choose? Also any other pieces of advice would be much appreciated from such a seasoned traveler as yourself. Thanks in advance, Lindsey

Hi Lindsey,

I would explore your options, and see what the pay packages are they present to you. I have traveled with a few different companies, and I by far have had the best experience with Flexcare. It wasn't the pay, the job, or the location it was my experience with my recruiter. I think that's the thing we overlook when we are first thinking about traveling, we are so concerned with money, location...etc.... we overlook the person who is going to answer the phone when we are freaking out cause we are in a new environment, we don't like our new home....etc.....I would say stay away from "Large Companies" they have a lot of disconnect and so many different departments.....I have ONE person that I talk to about everything, my housing, my benefits, my paycheck, my issues, it's nice that she know's me, know's what I want, I don't have to waste time talking to a new person in a different department when and if I have a problem. As far as struggling to find work, I have consistently went from one assignment to another or extended at my current assignment. Working with a smaller company for me equals, more money in my pocket, less overhead, I always felt like "just another nurse" with other companies, I felt rushed and no one took the time to explain to me how things work or how the pay packages work......she did, she explained it to me at least 5 times before I 100% understood and I felt confident knowing that my best interest was in good hands!! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!! Best of luck to you, I hope you have the same great experience I have had traveling!!

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Specializes in ICU/CVICU/ER.
4hams and Dina - what agencies do you work for? I am starting to research my travel options...

Thanks!

I work with Flexcare Medical Staffing!!! They are amazing....such a wonderful company! Best of luck to you....please let me know if I can be a resource for you!!

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Dina, what is your recruiter's name at Flexcare? Thanks so much for your reply to my message. -Lindsey

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

traveling right now (post 2009 recession) is really about the experience and the adventure. not the money.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

Btw, I'm traveling with a "big company" (AM) but I have an amazing recruiter. A good recruiter makes such a difference. She has been taking great care of me and this is my fourth assignment with her.

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I think "Dina" is the name of the recruiter at FlexCare..

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Specializes in L&D, OR, travel.

Tango,

Really? hmmmm.

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Im just a dumb Army guy but noone's ever had to explain something 5times to me.. Especially after Ive already BTDT with other companies who considered me "another nurse"

she did, she explained it to me at least 5 times before I 100% understood and I felt confident knowing that my best interest was in good hands!!

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Specializes in ICU/CVICU/ER.

I'm not going to go back and forth with my experience, I'm not nor will I ever bash another company, I'm just giving my experience. Yes I did need someone to take the time and explain to me the way pay packages work, stipen's , housing, car, blended rate, overtime ( All of these things can be overwhelming)..... Different states have different laws that I was unfamiliar with. I was young when I first decided to travel and I was just excited about seeing the country....I didn't know what questions to ask or if I was even making good money. My recruiter at Flexcare unlike at different companies actually took the time to explain every piece of the puzzle......When I said "5 times" I meant that more as a figure of speech, meaning she took the time to make sure I understood. I have a friend who has traveled on and off with larger companies and she likes her recruiter. I'm only giving my experience, take it for what it's worth. And if anyone would like to verify that I'm a real person, a real RN feel free to come to Fresno, CA I will be starting my assignment on July 11th. My recruiter is Alicia, FYI!

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It sounds like you have only experienced 1 company. You are bashing everyone that is not "Alicia at Flexcare." If you wanted to contribute to this thread you would stick to the topic and let us know-- How much does Alicia at Flexcare pay?? That is what this thread was about..

Im sorry Im just not buying it..

It's about the Money, it's about the Location and most importantly it's about your Recruiter finding the right job for you!! If you have any questions let me know, I've been doing this for years!

Doing what? Recruiting? If you truly get overwhelmed with pay packages & need things explained 5 times-- Why would you be offering advice to others?

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Let's be nice to one another. This is a forum to help not hurt.

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Specializes in OB.
Let's be nice to one another. This is a forum to help not hurt.

I am nice to other travel nurses. I do not find it necessary to be nice to agency recruiters who are presenting themselves in the guise of nurses to influence naive inexperienced nurses to come to their company. I would have no problem if they came on here stating that they are recruiters and giving their viewpoint.

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