Multiple Recruiters

Tell them to never submit you to an assignment without your specific permission. Simple!

Consequences for not following this advice can be as severe as blacklisting by the hospital, or even by the vendor manager from many hospitals, or as little as working that assignment for less for the first agency that submits you.

So you typically have a good understanding of the compensation package before the recruiter submits you for an assignment? I'm trying to understand how one negotiates with several agencies to secure the best possible package. Are you candid about the fact that you're talking to several recruiters? At the risk of sounding cynical, how likely is it that your recruiter might submit you without express permission to "secure" you as the offered traveler? I might be over thinking this. It wouldn't be the first time : )

If a recruiter submits you without your permission, drop him. Simple. If they understand that going in, they won't do it.

I wouldn't worry about negotiating right now. You aren't worth as much until you have a successful assignment and are proven. Most people don't like negotiating car prices either. There is a simple workaround: get quotes from several agencies and go with the best offer.

That said, there is much more to travel nursing than the highest possible pay. You need a good business relationship. You can't have one with a recruiter you don't trust. Everything will be screwed up. Don't work with such recruiters. Again, simple.

You don't want to maximize your pay on your first assignment. Instead, find (a) good recruiter(s) who understands you need a successful first assignment. If you fail on your first assignment, you may never try again. Also, you can start chasing money when you have a better work history. That may not sound as simple, but it is. Just like your first hospital worked you into harder assignments slowly, you need to do the same with travel before you start swimming with the sharks.

Thanks NedRN. I couldn't agree more and have already expressed to the recruiters I've talked to that a great first experience is my top priority. I am hoping to make travel a long term career and know how important first impressions are. Its overwhelming from where I stand right now, all the ins and outs are somewhat intimidating. I guess I won't know what a good business relationship looks like until I have experienced some travel assignments. I'm trying to be as savvy as possible to avoid the most obvious pitfalls. Thanks so much for the time and advice you've given to this forum!

Well for starters, you cannot have a good relationship of any kind without good communication. So drop anyone you don't "click" with immediately (preferably before you have given out your contact info and certainly before you go to the trouble of filling out paperwork). Same with recruiters who are not responsive. Recognize your own part in communicating clearly and being responsive.

One thing I would look into when negotiating your contract (i missed this on my first assignment) is to have "guaranteed hours" and a max number of cancelled shifts per contract. That way they can't cancel your shifts each week due to low census and then you are not getting paid. I have been reading the forums lately and this has been an issue for some so I went back to my contract which I start this Monday (first ever) and of course mine doesn't mention any guaranteed hours. Hope this doesn't bite me in the butt.

Your contracted hours are guaranteed unless there is a call off policy in the contract. That is what a contract means and the terms are binding on both parties. There is little point in saying guaranteed contract. By all means ask for that language if it makes you feel comfortable, but from a legal standpoint it sounds silly.

Your contracted hours are guaranteed unless there is a call off policy in the contract. That is what a contract means and the terms are binding on both parties. There is little point in saying guaranteed contract. By all means ask for that language if it makes you feel comfortable, but from a legal standpoint it sounds silly.

So if I want to make sure my paycheck isn't shorted routinely what should I do to make my contract stronger. I don't mind occasionally falling short but if it happens every week of a 13 week contract I will be hurting financially for sure.

Why would your paycheck be routinely shorted? Who would work for such an agency?