How to choose between 3 agencies

[88nurse2010]

I am planning on being a first time traveler starting this summer. I am going to the D.C. area because I have a friend there and thought that would be a good place for a first assignment. Because I'm location specific and the D.C. area is expensive, I am not expecting to make tons of money. However, I've been disappointed at what I've been quoted by two of the agencies I've talked to. I would basically be making the same that I make at home with American Mobile. FlexCare is offering more but they do not provide license or travel reimbursement. Aureus says that they can only guess at a pay rate at this point. They are guessing at a much higher pay rate that what I make now + housing + travel and nursing license reimbursement. It's hard for me to believe they can pay so much more than the other two companies have quoted me though!

Does anyone have any experience with these companies? What should I expect to be making?

[nurseman1313]

I am planning on being a first time traveler starting this summer. I am going to the D.C. area because I have a friend there and thought that would be a good place for a first assignment. Because I'm location specific and the D.C. area is expensive I am not expecting to make tons of money. However, I've been disappointed at what I've been quoted by two of the agencies I've talked to. I would basically be making the same that I make at home with American Mobile. FlexCare is offering more but they do not provide license or travel reimbursement. Aureus says that they can only guess at a pay rate at this point. They are guessing at a much higher pay rate that what I make now + housing + travel and nursing license reimbursement. It's hard for me to believe they can pay so much more than the other two companies have quoted me though! Does anyone have any experience with these companies? What should I expect to be making?[/quote']

Aureus will not stand behind you if you have a problem. I had an 8wk contract in NM . The contract was renewed and a day later I was told that it was canceled , when I asked why they just said it was cancelled and that they would see if they could still employee me . Again when I asked what it was all about all they replied that " you were

cancelled. "

[NedRN]

Without knowing what the issue was (did you ask the hospital?), it is difficult to know how the agency is handling it. But they certainly should tell you more, your license may be impacted and there could be contractual penalties. A certain amount of evidence should be provided to you in either case.

While I'm the last person to defend Aureus, I would like to say more generally that you cannot depend on any agency to "stand behind you" on clinical issues. An agency is not really your employer, the hospital is your employer: they have the workplace, it is their patients, and they directly manage your work. The agency is just a middleman for the money. Think about who "stands behind you" if you are staff. The hospital, right? Well, maybe. You are kind of on your own whether a traveler or staff unless you are lucky enough to be union. To some extent, that is how it should be for all professionals, you should be responsible for your own practice. Now nurses are kind of quasi professionals as we are also employees and not completely independent. As an employee, if you have a problem at work, you have to utilize the employer's (the hospital) procedures for any work related issue. The agency is really only effective for a business problem such as not enough hours being provided or you are not working on your contracted unit or shift. Very occasionally, an agency with a CNO may weigh in on your side on a clinical issue but it is almost irrelevant as in most cases you will have to leave the assignment anyway. Such a situation will mitigate contractual penalties and finding such an agency would be a find indeed. Unfortunately, having a big problem is the only way to find out the true worth of an agency (or a friend for that matter).