I'm a first time traveller as well and I have to say, it's a bit overwhelming! I feel bad talking with a few different companies at once, but it just feels like they're trying to fit me where THEY need me. they ask me what i want and then come up with the exact opposite and try and convince that's what's best...is this normal?
also, is it ok to submit apps to a few different companies and then just go with whoever places me where I want to be? I feel a bit bad having them do all the work and then having to wind up saying sorry to the ones missing out, but i don't know if that's just how it all works.
how long should i hold out for my ideal position before just going with second or third best offer?? would appreciate any input! thanks :)
Gary and I have used 3 different companies. We like different aspects of each company. And they all have assignments in different states. My main issue is this..in July I wanted to start looking for our next assignment. Was told by the first two companies we use that it was to soon. "the hosptials weren't posting that far in advance", for Sept. 22nd. So we waited. And waited....now last week, we were told "they, the hospitals, are posting for Jan". Okay, now someone dropped the ball. Of course alot of folks want to head South for the winter. We do because we want to be closer home for the holidays.
It's been a struggle and I've been so frustrated. Now we have 2 weeks left on this assignment. We have 3 companies looking for us. We have been submitted to Johnson City, TN, Columbia SC, Leesburg FL, Tallahassee FL, Macon, GA and Clyde NC.
It was a fight to get them to submit us. "Don't you want to go to Calif."? Now what part of Cali is close to Georgia. Also want to send us to states where we don't possess license. Now I've spent all the $$ I am going to on license for the year. (Georgia is NOT a compact state).
So, to answer your question, don't feel guilty using several companies. They will be more likely to get you where you want to go if they know they have compatition.
Also, it is true that the pay scale is lower in the South, but so is the cost of living.
We are currently in Sioux Falls, S.D. and making great, they even wanted us to extend our contract for 12 more weeks, however we have to cut and run before the winter hits.
If I can help let me know. Enjoy meeting new travelers. Would exchange emails with anyone interested.
Specializes in ER, ICU, Neuro, Ortho, Med/Surg, Travele.
Thanks Dianne
Just took my first contact in Nashville, TN. Should be interesting. Pay is OK, insurance OK. Still keeping in contact with a multitude of companies. Hope to head to CO, AZ or NM in January. This first assignment will hopefully make my family more comfortable which is one of the reason I wanted to stay in the South. I hope to get to the Jersey Shore next summer. That's were we raised our kids. Anyway, here we go.:)
hi! i am actually dying to get out to california, ideally southern cali, san diego area or just outside. anyone know of companies in particular that are offering positions out there?
Specializes in ER, ICU, Neuro, Ortho, Med/Surg, Travele.
Hey Rhody,
Actually, every company I spoke with had positions in CA, just depended on what I was looking for. CA doesn't do anything for me, although one of my friends who traveled, said Santa Barbara is great. Which company are you with? Let know and if they are any of the ones I spoke with, I'll let you know what they had to offer. I do know that none where strikes. I don't do strikes, used to me a union nurse. It's the principal of the thing.
hey neuroRN, thanks for the quick reply! so far have touched base with access, American mobile, and cross country. they've all mentioned positions here and there in cali, but no solid offers yet, and the pay seems a bit low, 25-27/hr. getting a bit frustrated because i've been keeping my fingers crossed for over a month now and still nothing...will just keep hoping i guess...
As a new traveler, I felt weird. I only lasted for a month...I think!
Its like the staff put me through a "test" that had nothing to do with work, but more to do if you could blend in with people that you are supposed to be temporarily involved with, which I was told is to be expected for the first two weeks.
Its best just to keep to yourself, write down what you are told, get to know who is in charge and do your job once you have clarity. As a traveler, people who are not nurses have opinions that appear to be more valuable than nurses which is disheartening, but if warned about it you can avoid a lot of pitfalls in your travel career.
Also know, your personality can make a difference in your assignment being a good one and a bad one. If your personality lets your employer or agency know that you are there for work and that your private life is a separate issue that they have no right to know about unless the private part of your life effects your work. By doing so, you set a firm boundary and establish clearly that you are there to work.
Which makes me offer you this advice, if you have a health issue that may effect your ability to work, let your agency and the organization you work with know. I had my first anxiety attack before I got to work and unfortunately it hadn't subsided by the time report started and I was met with opposition from the staff instead of the chance to return to work and it resulted in an ugly situation, which could not have been prevented. So just an FYI, if you are diabetic or are in a new surrounding and experiencing anxiety because of your new assignment, let someone know... a fellow co-worker just might care or they might not...it just helps to represent yourself as you are to everyone and try very hard to adapt to your surroundings.
Make sure you are certain about things like revised orientation schedules, lunchbreaks, chain of command and what your duties are before you start. I thought I was prepared for my assignment and by the time I worked through all the confusion, I was told to keep it moving, then called back for a meeting to keep me from moving on (confusion), so BE FIRM and let your work be all that you have to give to the company...anything else is cause for problems.
Prayerfully, you will have success in your traveling efforts. Just keep in mind the fact that you are a visitor, with a potential to be a permanent employee at all times and you will not make a mistake... Remember, if you have a bad experience, document it or talk to your recruiter. Which in hindsight makes me suggest to you that you should form a relationship with your recruiter that is honest and creates trust. You place your trust in them to get you to a spot that is not going to be a headache, so work hard to know who you are working for too! Ask questions, but don't be too overbearing... there are consequences to every action and you may be held accountable for that in which you are not clear about or know.
Specializes in ER, Pedi ER, Trauma, Clinical Education.
Re: Southern California
California is really a nice place, especially in the San Diego area. Lots of wonderful things to see and do there. The hospitals are really great as well. When your recruiter is quoting you those $25-27 / hr rates, ask them if that is the blended rate or the base rate. If those figures are the blended rate, then move on. If they are the base rate, then you are in the right ball park. California law requires employers to pay their employess time and a half for every hour worked over 8. Therefore, when you work a 12 hour shift, your last four are paid at time and a half. So, you will often find base rates around the upper $20's with your blended being somewhere in the lower to mid $30's (average of base for the first 8 and time and a half for the last four). That's pretty typical. So, if the base rate is then upper 20's, your on course. If your blended rate is in the upper 20's, you're getting robbed and you need to check with other travel companies.
hey neuroRN, thanks for the quick reply! so far have touched base with access, American mobile, and cross country. they've all mentioned positions here and there in cali, but no solid offers yet, and the pay seems a bit low, 25-27/hr. getting a bit frustrated because i've been keeping my fingers crossed for over a month now and still nothing...will just keep hoping i guess...
Just a thought: Have you tried Nursefinders since they have the exclusive (prime vendor status) for the Kaiser hospitals? Going through them would get you the best pay since no other company has to give them a cut.
...If you are coming to the western states shoot me an email and I can direct you to a company that pays well and will get you what you want if it is available.
Hope that helps.
Jeremy
Hi, Jeremy! Can you recommend me some those companies, please?
NurseDianne, ADN
264 Posts
Gary and I have used 3 different companies. We like different aspects of each company. And they all have assignments in different states. My main issue is this..in July I wanted to start looking for our next assignment. Was told by the first two companies we use that it was to soon. "the hosptials weren't posting that far in advance", for Sept. 22nd. So we waited. And waited....now last week, we were told "they, the hospitals, are posting for Jan". Okay, now someone dropped the ball. Of course alot of folks want to head South for the winter. We do because we want to be closer home for the holidays.
It's been a struggle and I've been so frustrated. Now we have 2 weeks left on this assignment. We have 3 companies looking for us. We have been submitted to Johnson City, TN, Columbia SC, Leesburg FL, Tallahassee FL, Macon, GA and Clyde NC.
It was a fight to get them to submit us. "Don't you want to go to Calif."? Now what part of Cali is close to Georgia. Also want to send us to states where we don't possess license. Now I've spent all the $$ I am going to on license for the year. (Georgia is NOT a compact state).
So, to answer your question, don't feel guilty using several companies. They will be more likely to get you where you want to go if they know they have compatition.
Also, it is true that the pay scale is lower in the South, but so is the cost of living.
We are currently in Sioux Falls, S.D. and making great, they even wanted us to extend our contract for 12 more weeks, however we have to cut and run before the winter hits.
If I can help let me know. Enjoy meeting new travelers. Would exchange emails with anyone interested.