Published Apr 28, 2008
BellaDonna1231
2 Posts
i recently signed up with agostini travel nursing. i was hoping if someone could share their experiences with me as far as the company goes. i was also hoping someone could tell me how hard it will be for me to get a good assignment. i have almost 2 years icu experience, before that i was and lpn for 2 years and before that i was a cna for 8 monts. i have never traveled before but i am very excited about it and ready to go. i am supposed to start interviewing next month. i have heard that many hospitals do not like to take first time travelers. is this true? the other thing is my recruiter is really pushing kaiser facilities on me, i think she said northern sacramento. since i am not from california i know nothing about kaiser at all. also she is pushing for crescent city (any thoughts). so any input would be greatly appreciated. i understand not all info can be posted on this forum so please feel free to pm me. one last thing how popular is the PBDS test in california hospitals. i hear this thing will make or break you, literally.
Brownms46
2,394 Posts
I have not worked in Cali, but I recruited for an agency and had nurses that traveled to Kaiser. I have heard good and bad, as with anything. Many renew their contracts with Kaiser, and some will not even consider Kaiser, so it's a crap shoot.
You have heard right that many facilities do not like to use first time travelers, ( for good reason too) but you do have the appropriate experience to travel. Kaiser has an extensive interview process and a lot of paperwork. They required detailed written references from former employers, which can be difficult to obtain sometimes.
If the agency does not submit all of the required paperwork in a timely manner, Kaiser will not use you. Kaiser uses travelers very heavily, and will have at least 300+ assignments at a time open thoughout Cali, and the rates tend to be lower than other facilities in CA.
Good Luck!
wanderlust99
793 Posts
So, I'm waiting to interview myself. My recruiter told me to say no to all Keiser facilities. She said they can make you float mid shift. I really don't know?