How to get into Travel Nursing?

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 16, 2017

Do you think you're the only one who has asked about agencies? Do you really think you're the only new nurse who wants to travel. Noooooo you're not. Plenty of tips already available. look through the forum. Happy researching.

NedRN · Mar 16, 2017

You don't need to bother with most agencies unless you do acute care. If you do a search on this forum, I listed most of the agencies that specialize in dialysis travel. Both the major nationwide providers for dialysis do have in company travel available, or using a private agency can sometimes have advantages: for example, if you go to work for DaVita directly, they may prohibit you from working at their facilities through another agency. I haven't heard that actually happens in dialysis, but it does in other similar situations, and it is legal.

NedRN · Mar 16, 2017

Do you think you're the only one who has asked about agencies? Do you really think you're the only new nurse who wants to travel. Noooooo you're not. Plenty of tips already available. look through the forum. Happy researching.

What, no Facebook page to recommend?!!

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 17, 2017

^ If this nurse shifts through the pages, the facebook recommendation would be found :yes: .

NedRN · Mar 17, 2017

Pretty sure no FB page for dialysis travelers has been mentioned. Dialysis assignments are pretty rare I would think on the premium job site. I was merely teasing you anyway for not suggesting it.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 18, 2017

Pretty sure no FB page for dialysis travelers has been mentioned. Dialysis assignments are pretty rare I would think on the premium job site. I was merely teasing you anyway for not suggesting it.

I figured as much. OR RN's do have a dedicated page hint hint. There are dialysis assignments listed on the FB travel nurse gypsy job group.

emergnurse · Mar 18, 2017

I've signed up with 3 agencies. 2 in Canada, 1 in the U.S. (it was a top rated on Highway Hypodermics and Bluepipes) and they all lied about jobs. "We have so many positions, you will be so busy!" then after paying for the paperwork and licences they tell me they don't have any positions for me in that area. I now have 3 valid and active licences (paid out of pocket) with no job, no income. I have all kinds of certifications and ++ years ER experience. So angry. I can see why someone knew would be asking for a specific name of either a recruiter or agency from their own personal experience. My recruiter wouldn't answer her messages for at least a week. I'm going back to searching for perm FT. :mad:

NedRN · Mar 18, 2017

Sorry you had that experience. However the line about "keeping you busy" is not really a lie. But it is misleading if your expectation is a restricted geographic area. Travelers usually have to go where the needs are and those often are cyclic. Requiring a specific location without travel experience means you can be out competed by those with much more travel experience (if you were a manager, who would you choose).

Should you decide to try travel again, talk to more agencies and recruiters. Three tries is usually not enough to find good and honest recruiters and sort the BS from reality. Especially if you need specific locations.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 18, 2017

1 - Diaylisis RN - Days - Start: 8/20

$1928 Weekly Gross

$53.56 Hourly ($23 taxable + $30.56 non taxable)

In albany, NY with the VA hospital. they want 52 weeks o0!! Most VA's want 26-52 weeks. They have a massive need around the USA due to impending hiring freeze.

emergnurse · Mar 19, 2017

Maybe you didn't quite catch everything I had written. I have mutliple licences in 2 countries. Nothing says a restricted geographical area. They advertised jobs in provinces and states (multiple) and then admitted after everything was done those jobs don't exist and they've never placed anyone in those states. This is not a case of lack of experience. They did outright lie. Nor are these the only agencies and recruiters I have spoken to, these were just the ones I completed the paperwork with. I am a nurse with many years of experience in many different places and advanced education, certifications. There was no competition from other nurses against me. I was offering support to the original person posting because you can research all you want, but getting a contact from another traveler is far more valuable. But, I'm done. I'm not interested in an argument.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 19, 2017

Maybe you didn't quite catch everything I had written. I have mutliple licences in 2 countries. Nothing says a restricted geographical area. They advertised jobs in provinces and states (multiple) and then admitted after everything was done those jobs don't exist and they've never placed anyone in those states. This is not a case of lack of experience. They did outright lie. Nor are these the only agencies and recruiters I have spoken to, these were just the ones I completed the paperwork with. I am a nurse with many years of experience in many different places and advanced education, certifications. There was no competition from other nurses against me. I was offering support to the original person posting because you can research all you want, but getting a contact from another traveler is far more valuable. But, I'm done. I'm not interested in an argument.

I agree travel nursing sucks by a mile. Even if someone recommends a recruiter they still might try to pull a fast one on you. EX my friend used another friends recruiter both of them caught her in a lie. I have filled out multiple profiles for hoax jobs. I personally only did travel nursing to explore the possibility of landing a perm job while on assignment at other hospitals. I would NEVER do this long term..