New to travel-- Is it supposed to be this hard to get a position? PLEASE advise!

[SKynardRN]

Any advice welcome!!!

I have been working as an RN for 2 years now. I am a "floater" and work all areas of med/surg and also Post Partum at a 500+ bed teaching hospital. I am BLS/ACLS cert. My husband and I have planned for me to begin working as a travel nurse now that I have the "required" experience, and we want to travel the country for 1-2 yrs and him to homeschool our 2 kids while he finished his degree online.

I thought I have gotten all my ducks in a row: researched, signed up with an agency ahead of time, acquired a license to work in CA in advance (as this is where I would like to go first). I am with 2 different agencies (American Traveler and Intelistaff) and my two recruiters have been job searching for well over a month now. I have been submitted to multiple jobs, and have only had 2 interviews. One job they chose an applicant with "more certifications" and I am still waiting to hear back from the other. Several jobs I was submitted to have not even called to interview me??? I have even allowed myself to be submitted to other states, and still no progress.

Is it normal for it to be this difficult to find a position? I am feeling hopeless and disappointed. My recruiters are often hard to get in touch with. I am worried that when/if I do find a position, will it be this hard to find the next one? I dont want to be left jobless and stranded. Feeling extremely discouraged as this is my "dream". Any advice???

thanks, sarah

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I took me several months to find a position. It was for a seasonal job.

Arizona snowbirds flocking from the north, so the need was high. But... it was the "esteemed " Mayo Clinic.

Sounds like a big part of your problem is your recruiters. If they are hard to reach, maybe they have too many clients. This would give them a lot let time to work on placement for you.

Or .. sometimes they are inefficient and lazy.

I know filling out those applications and skills lists is tedious, but try a couple more agencies.

Good luck, bon voyage. It'll happen.

[SKynardRN]

Thank you! that is good to hear. did you find that after working the initial position that getting assignments was easier/quicker?

[larniegrl]

All of my assignments have taken 2-4 weeks for me to get an interview. This is after submitting my profile to 15+jobs that I meet all qualifications for. My first travel job I took closer to home because of the issue some new travelers have getting that first assignment. It did come up in the interview too, but the manager said she liked my flexibility to work all weekends (that was my secret weapon).

I was very frustrated a few weeks ago with having 3 very good agencies/recruiters looking for positions, only to come up with 2 interviews. I do believe location has alot to do with it. Southern California, I heard, is easier to get into that Northern, but it also pays alot less. Don't be too picky with interviews, just feel out the place and if the money and location are worth it, go for it. Just keep with it, it wouldn't hurt to have 1 or 2 more agencies on board. Maybe a bigger agency that has exclusive contracts with the location you want to go too.

[SKynardRN]

thanks larnie, I am glad to hear it isnt abnormal for it to take this long...I guess I am surprised because other people I know who have begun traveling got a position within 2 weeks.

I really havent been picky about what I am willing to interview for, I have been open to the whole state of CA and even any westward walk-through states. Pay rate isnt a huge deal right now, just trying to get my feet wet and get out there already!

[larniegrl]

Maybe getting a bigger agency on board, at least until you get into the "game" would be a good idea. Some of the bigger ones are American Mobile and Cross Country. They don't get great reviews, but I haven't had problems with either one.

Been where you are...its VERY frustrating. Especially when you keep hearing all these great things, sometimes I think it all comes down to timing and luck.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Definitely! My agency didn't want to let me out of Arizona. There were positions everywhere.

After one assignment you are an "experienced" traveler in the eyes of many facilities .

[tarheelpenguin]

Agreed! The hardest time I had getting an assignment was when I havent yet done one. Even though I had over 2 yrs as an experienced l&d nurse I wasnt considered an experienced traveler. After I finished that first assignment things came alot easier. Just hang tight, something will eventually come along and after that you'll be golden.

[gsusavz]

You are getting great advice. Get with a larger company, I recommend CrossCountry because they are big enough to get the job done but not so big they lose you. You first assignment is usually the most difficult. Several years ago hospitals booked several weeks out and it was much easier. With economic changes and more travel RN's available it has gotten more competative. I recommend you get a compact license if you can. Florida and Arizona in the winter are always good bets, and the larger California metropolitan areas are always in need. I have 14 yrs in the ER and when I traveled 10 yrs ago with less experience I could go anywhere I wanted and book early, now it took me 6 weeks to get my first assignment. Now I have no problem staying employed. Good luck and have fun.

[KayleighTravelNurse, RN]

I had the same problem. The problem is trying to get a job late spring early summer, because of all the new grads. Med/surg positions are hard to come by at this time. The key is working with an agency that has a great relationship with the hospital. I landed an amazing Med/Surg position on beach in CA, as a first time traveler. The hospital just called my aganecy and asked if they had anyone for the jobs, they did this before they relized the position to the other aganecies. It is all about relationships.

[chick_pea]

Hi, we have the same problem. I was asking my recruiter if it is normally this hard to get a med-surg assignment here in CA. I've been waiting for a while as well. So far, no interview yet. A lot of ED and L & D opened up here in CA but Med-surg seems to be thin.I feel like giving up...

[larniegrl]

It two almost 3 weeks to get my last assignment. Very frustrating, but keep with it, and maybe branch out to other states.