Medical Solutions

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm getting close to 2 years of experience on a med-surg unit at a large level 1 trauma teaching hospital. The experience has been good and many of the travel nurses or agency nurses who come to our unit say that it functions a lot like an IMC as opposed to a med-surf floor. Our unit tends to get "dumped" on a lot in terms of the acuity of care we see. I don't mind it too much though. What I hate the most about it is the hostility, the politics, and my long commute.

Anyways, I want to try travel nursing and I found Medical Solutions which I think seems like a pretty good agency. My recruiter has been pretty helpful and open to providing me with jobs in the states that I'd like (places that are warm at the time of my travel). I also told him that I'd prefer not to work anywhere where the nurse:patient ratios were 1:7.

Has anyone else worked with this agency? What has been your experience?

[NedRN]

Medical Solutions (either one) is a good agency. However, I would recommend establishing a relationship with at least two other agencies. You do have to put all your eggs in one basket as permanent staff but travel is a different world. You are more like an independent contractor and are literally unemployed every three months. It is much safer to have fallback plans in place when things fall through.

There are many other advantages to working with multiple agencies. Wider choice of assignments, ability to check if an offer is competitive, and fact checking for the new traveler. Recruiters are in sales, and their first loyalty is to their own pocketbook, second is their employer, you take third place. So it is good to be able to cross check their hyperbole.

Pick recruiters you communicate well with. That is much more important than the agency brand.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

That's a good idea. I'm looking at one called Maxim staffing solutions at the moment but I haven't spoken to anyone there. I want good insurance and a good retirement package as well since I want to keep on investing. So I'm not sure....medical solutions offers united health care but going from blue cross blue shield to UHC i'm not sure if that's a good transition or if it makes a major difference.

[Lovelymo79]

I've been talking to Medical Solutions to secure my first travel assignment. But as NedRN said, I have 3 other agencies working for me too. May the best offer for me win! ☺️

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hey Lovely,

How does this work with insurance? Did you accept all three of their benefits packages?

[pinktermite]

I do most of my work with medical solutions, the one from Omaha. They have always done me well. Pay is middle of the pack to a little higher but the ins is 10 bucks a week. There are other plans if you want to pay more. It's a catastrauphic plan, so get a medical savings account to put into for the higher co pays and deductibles and you will be fine. You are a traveler, the benefits will always cost a little more and be a little more inconvenient, but to me that's the cost of freedom! I work with two other companies from time to time when MS doesn't have what I want.

[Lovelymo79]

I haven't taken my first assignment yet but I plan on gettin gmy own insurance. That way, I can take it on the road with me, no matter who I'm with.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

I was talking to a coworker about this as well. I'm currently looking into getting my own insurance too now because I think I'd feel more secure and have more control of my life.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

I do most of my work with medical solutions, the one from Omaha. They have always done me well. Pay is middle of the pack to a little higher but the ins is 10 bucks a week. There are other plans if you want to pay more. It's a catastrauphic plan, so get a medical savings account to put into for the higher co pays and deductibles and you will be fine. You are a traveler, the benefits will always cost a little more and be a little more inconvenient, but to me that's the cost of freedom! I work with two other companies from time to time when MS doesn't have what I want.

Good point, pinktermite. lol I've decided to stick with Medical solutions because they seem very nice and offer the places I want to travel to as well as the assignments I think I'd like. I'm learning a lot as I go here. :)