New traveler with 1 yr exp trouble finding a job

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Hello all,

I am involved with 2 agencies atm and am looking to start my 1st travel assignment mid-Sept. Trouble is many facilities are looking for someone with more experience and I have yet to interview. Is 27.50 for a position in MD too low? Includes housing and insurance. I should be interviewing soon but this is below what I am making as a staff nurse now and it seems as though other travelers are making a lot more. If I interview and am offered the position should I take it or should I hold out for something more lucrative? I know once I have more experience more opportunities will open up but I don't want to sell my skills short.

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No one replies to any of my posts :cry:

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I know most hospitals expect a traveler to have more experience than one year. Any chance to stay in your present position? As a traveler you are expected to be a low maintenance employee. Glad to hear you do well in the $$ department now, but the $27 sounds about right for you and your experience.

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Keep trying, I began travel nursing in 1989 directly out of nursing school. I had many years of ER experience as a Paramedic prior to getting into Nursing so that counted (at least for me and one company). Was the best thing I ever did. Didn't make as much money as I thought I would. (It costs a lot to travel) but made so much more in experiences. I started out with 8 companies that had filled out all the necessary paperwork for. Kept active with 3 following my first assignment and then just two after that. You need to have diversity. There are some companies out there that have " Exclusive contracts" with hospitals and if you don't work for that company you can't work as a travel nurse at that hospital. Others have primary use contracts (not a real term), they act as a subcontractor between a travel company and the hospital (If you don't work for the Mother company). It's different now than it was, but not that much. Computers make the paperwork somewhat easier but most don't give you the ability to fill out the forms online and submit, you have to print them, hand write or type them and then send back in. Maybe some day.....

Hope that helps,

Rod

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I started traveling with only 8 mo experience. Some agencies require longer. I have been with Amer Mobile for the entire 1 1/2 years that I have been traveling. Some states like AZ I found hard to get a job my 1st assignment, they wouldn't even talk to me until 2 yrs experience. I had no problem going to CO, FL and CA though.

Depending on your area of nursing is where I have seen the variable pay rates, but $27 or so sound about right if I had to guess... Happy hunting

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