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???
thank you everyone for the advice and words of encouragement!! I am still having my agencies apply me to jobs, no more interviews yet. this week I was applied to positions in MO and WI, I have branched out of just applying in CA even though I have already gotten licensed to go there. I am REALLY trying to hold out and get that first position under my belt before I just give up on travel nursing altogether, my recruiters have also said that a lot more opportunities open up when you get that first job. I hope that is true.....
Go with a smaller company where you can you build a relationship with your recruiter. It is hard to find a job and some times med/surg takes a long time, but if you cant find a med/surg job in CA, I think you are wokring with the wrong company.
It's hard to say who has the "best package". I guess that depends on your needs & the reason you are traveling. I am sure everyone thinks they have the "best package" (I know I do).
Go with the company that gets you an interview & puts a contract in front of you. You will see that pay rates usually end up the same $$. How do you know if its good? It should equal to the high-end of what the locals make.
OK, I have been offered a contract in St. Louis at the university hospital. Pay rate isnt great, but I may just take it to get something under my belt. I wont get the contract until tuesday since it was a holiday weekend and I interviewed friday evening. If anyone has ever worked in St. Louis please share your experiences....
Ive traveled off and on with several companies since 2006. All pay packages are NOT the same.. What I was trying to say is that you should be focusing on getting an interview and contract in front of you.. Not who has the best package.
I have an interview with Kaiser on Monday....and I have 2 different companies wanting to submit me out to other jobs......It's weird to me that "pay packages" can be so different at the same hospital!
"It's weird to me that "pay packages" can be so different at the same hospital!"
It is hard to comment without "some" specifics.
Also, I am sure you know not to be "double submitted" anywhere. That is letting 2 competing companies submit you to the same hospital. You need to be careful with that as some will submit without your permission.. (Purposely knocking you out of the job).
LauraOckwig
28 Posts
it is frustrating. i know some states are busier than others. i hope you get a position soon. it is weird how the jobs come in waves.