Keep full-time job until travel job is verified??!! Help! Need advice please

[frankyfern22]

Help!

I have been communicating with three travel nursing agencies for jobs. I am an RN with over 1.5 years Tele experience, going on 2 years in June. I am at the point in the application process where my application is being submitted to facilities for interview. I have not had any interviews yet, but this started last Friday, so not many have been sent. I have a travel buddy coming with me too, which seems to make things difficult since we both have to be placed at the same facility or in the same location of each, or what's the sense of traveling w/ someone. Anyways, my CONCERN and question is:

Should I keep my full time permanent position until I contract with someone officially, OR should I put my two weeks in and then work to find a contract??? My travel partner already put her two weeks in already and will be done this week, so she needs a job asap too. I know what sounds smarter, keeping permanent job until a job arises, but is travel nursing different risks? I totally understand that sometimes you might not get contracts right away BUT this is my FIRST attempt at getting an assignment AND Im leaving a permanent position. I can't afford to not get a contract!! The only way that makes sense to put my two weeks in is to be able to give the facility a definite date I can start. If I continue to postpone leaving my perm job, I will never be able to give a definite date and prolonging things.... HELP please any insight ?

[RNERHOUSESUPOR]

That is one of the difficulties that new travelers have currently. Most places still are not posting assignments until the last minute and will want you to start right away. Talk with your manager ( of where you are working full time) and see what their thoughts are. Getting two positions in the same facility may be very difficult especially if you are both trying to work the same unit. Different specialties is sometimes easier. The other thought is to pick a larger city and find hospitals that are close enough to room together but work at different hospitals. Good Luck.

Rod

[79Tango]

It depends on how big of a gamble are you willing to take? Ive always lived by the rule "Do Not Abandon Ship, without having 1 pulled up right next to you." Especially when it comes to the unknown. You may get lucky and find 2 open contracts but what if they pay is lower then you are making now? Your in a good spot as you still have choices. Your friend may be forced into taking something they dont want just to pay the bills.

[PhillyBSN]

I am considering travelling as well. However I would never leave a perm job until the contract job is secured with a start date in place. What about a 4 week notice and using pto for 2 weeks?

[TayTayRN]

I'm in the same situation except I don't have a travel buddy. I submitted for my first job almost 2 weeks ago and we still haven't heard anything. I don't understand how they can't respond when the expected start date is less than a week away! So yesterday I submitted for 3 more, but I don't know if I should put in my notice or not. I know this probably didn't give you any useful information, but I'm with you!

[frankyfern22]

Thanks for your input everyone! I still have not put in my two weeks. I'm getting cold feet now, I'm thinking too much. In my financial situation id be cooked without a job, in limbo. Thinking about traveling another time now ;(. Idk but maybe its a bad time for travelers, especially first timers. The recruiters are like pirhanas when you submit your info, now they're here and there, scattered. I feel bad for my friend b/c she is done this week! And no job. I'm glad I'm not the only one though! good luck everyone! :)

[rn1233]

My advice to new travelers is to not quit your job completely and see if you manager will let you switch your status to PRN. You may not have the benefits but at least you will still have a job. It is harder for new travel nurses with less experience to get call backs in a timely manner and you will more than likely have to wait longer and be more open to when choosing your first assignment. Try going with a more established travel company who has "exclusive" contracts at hospitals (AMN, Intelistaf, etc).

[RNERHOUSESUPOR]

Have you and your friend put yourselves out there as a package deal? If you are not working with the same recruiter at the same time it will be very difficult to find a hospital for both of you at the same time. If they haven't called in 3 days after you submit get a number and call them. NEVER wait for TWO whole weeks, especially if you are not getting an income during that two weeks. Just my opinion and not paid for it.

Rod

[79Tango]

The openings are out there, you just have to stay with it and "dont quit your day job." Also make sure your 3 agencies do not "double submit" you to the same jobs. Facilities do not like that and will typically throw your profile away. You or your buddy may have to consider going "Solo." What if the facility only wants one of you and not the other? Any number of scenarios can happen but the bottom line is you have job right now and quitting it for the possibility of a travel assignment doesnt sound like a good move. Once you have been interviewed & have a contract then its time to think about giving 2-week notice. You might want to somehow get a letter of reference from your current employer while you have the chance.

[frankyfern22]

Hey all!

Whew, you're literally lifesavers (I'd insert a candy lifesaver here lol). It's crazy, I gave my resignation letter to my supervisor ( she didnt know it was a resignation letter though) to give to the DON and called that night at 2 am and said THROW IT AWAY, ABORT MISSION! WHEW! Im glad I did that b/c I have recently decided that I am not ready to take this step yet. I feel much less stressed out w/ the whole recruiter thing too. I feel good. :) As for my travel buddy, she wasnt upset, she'll definitely get something. Good luck to everyone looking to travel, have fun!!!