Next assignment

Get a new recruiter. And for Pete's sake, start talking to some other agencies. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, have a Plan B available.

Your recruiter is invested in your continued employment, because after all, he gets paid when you get paid. You should not be a bother to him for things like this.

I should talk, since right now I am primarily working with one recruiter even though I am registered with several agencies. I am pretty happy with her and she does give me the time of day when I need it. The reason I do this is because if I can remain with one agency I would like to. I dont really like the idea of hopping from agency to agency and constantly worried about changing medical insurance coverage. This is my main issue. Also, my agency tends to have the first dibs on the hospitals I want to work in.

Unless of course, NedRN ... have you some insight on this, am I wrong? Sorry to hijack this thread.

Working for a big agency with lots of assignments and a good recruiter may be worth a couple bucks an hour in reduced hassle and increased quality of life. Depends on the traveler. Yet in the recent Cross Country thread, we read a couple of cautionary tales on how dependence on one agency may end up biting you. Yet again, some work for big agencies over 10 years, even 20 years.

There is certainly more than one way to travel successfully. I survived my breakup with a big agency just fine, but it happened at a time when jobs were everywhere. I also had money in the bank. No regrets in hindsight really, I had a decent experience with them, until I didn't. I think you are smart to keep up a relationship with other agencies.

My recruiters usually start looking for positions when I'm halfway through my current one, sometimes sooner or later depending on what's posted. If you know what states you desire to work in start applying for them now if they aren't walkthrough. I started travel nursing 6 months ago wanting to go to CA but I'm STILL waiting on my license. They are the most backed up state when it comes to licensure but it's good to get your license ahead of time so you don't have to take a less desired position in the meantime while you wait. I had no problem getting my previously-applied for licenses reimbursed under my new position if it was in the last year.

I'd definitely talk to several agencies/new recruiters. I am sick of how many phone calls I get EVERY DAY, so I wish I had a recruiter that was hard to get a hold of sometimes LOL

About halfway through is when my recruiter and I start discussing where I want to go and the needs in that area. I have been with the same agency/recruiter for three years. I have talked to other agencies, but I'm happy where I am so I don't see a need to change. Remember when you do your phone interview with the prospective hospital you are just selling yourself. Talk yourself up and really focus on your strengths. Good luck in your future travels.

Thank you everyone for your input. Again, I am NEW to travel nursing and am still trying to figure everything out. I have started to look into other agencies but there are so many, and so many that do not take travel LPNs, that it's been a long process. I would ask if anyone knows of agencies with numerous LPN jobs but, I see other people posting them and comments of people telling them to make their own opinions.

Try a large agency such as Cross Country or American Mobile for LPN assignments.