friend had great pay and decent experience

[4hams]

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???

[singleumm]

You misunderstood me. I meant let us nurses be nice to one another. The recruiters are out for themselves. In my opinion, they are lions waiting to pounce. How horrible.

[79Tango]

"The recruiters are out for themselves. In my opinion, they are lions waiting to pounce. How horrible. "

With respect, I think you are the one thats misunderstood...

[bagladyrn, RN]

You misunderstood me. I meant let us nurses be nice to one another. The recruiters are out for themselves. In my opinion, they are lions waiting to pounce. How horrible.

I have no issue with honest recruiters. Travelers just have to remember that the recruiters work for the agency and that it is their job to get the best possible deal FOR THE AGENCY. That is what they get paid for and I don't blame them. It is up to me to negotiate for myself. As long as they are upfront we can negotiate in good faith, but once I find them to be underhanded like the ones on here who were posing as nurses I will have nothing further to do with them.

[79Tango]

I just dont apreciate being bull-sh**ed!

[singleumm]

How mature of you Tango. It sounds like to me you are actually a recruiter posing as a nurse. You should find something better to do with your time than coming on here and attacking nurses. How sad. I will keep you in my prayers.

[singleumm]

Bagladyrn, I agree that their are some honest recruiters. I was speaking in general in reference to the fact they are like vultures. Agencies are a big business and unfortunately you have those who will do whatever it takes to make the money. And from what I hear and know, it is usually at the expense of the nurses.

[79Tango]

Sounds like you are on here typing for someone else! I never claimed to be mature.. I just call it how it is. Speaking of which, Why are you asking for contract advice & talking about low-ball offers on 1 thread, then suggesting Agency phone#'s to call on another? Would you have others be treated the same way as you "preyed upon by vultures?"

[hkLD5150]

I posted my resume on a nursing jobs website @ about 9pm and I woke up to over 50 phone calls in the AM....that wasn't a smart idea!! I just took my first assignment in Bakersfield, CA....I talked to a few different recruiters at a few different companies and some I felt like I was dealing with a "used car salesmen" and 2 of them I felt like they cared about my experience....( I also looked up the recruiters on FB and Linkedin) I wanted to put a name with a face.....I'm glad I did that cause I saw one of those recruiters posting some really not so nice things....I'm excited about my first experience and hopefully I will have good things to post not bad!!

[RN1913]

@DinaTraveler, $2100 a week, wow, that's awesome!!! Thanks for the info.

[bostonbakednurse]

Glad I read this post, thanks for the info from everyone. I am now considering travel (although my husband does not want me to but that's another topic!)

My friend just took her first assignment with Onward Healthcare and so far so good.

I am going to do my research prior to signing on with a company.

Thanks again!

[79Tango]

Welcome Boston.. Dont believe everything you read--especially from this thread!

[travelerjulesRN]

Well I couldn't remember my user name since it's been so long since I've been on here, but I'm the original poster 4hams. I went with Advantage RN and have had a few frustrating moments but overall it's been a great experience. My husband and for sons are here in NC with me and I extended my contract until November. I'm glad I researched like I did that's the most important thing for travelers I think, to research everything! Our next assignment will be in California. We homeschool our boys and will continue to do so for this school year as we travel and let them experience our beautiful country and it's people. Next spring however, we will be making a permanent move and I hope to continue traveling locally in the surrounding states, and in the summers as a family. Good luck to anyone considering it and thanks to all for the advice!! :)