Nurse Traveling

NedRN · Nov 4, 2016

American Mobile is based in San Diego. Valley Health would be another good bet.

NYnurseatheart · Nov 4, 2016

I have been a traveler on and off for years, I do not recommend any American Mobile company (from personal experience). Research would be a smart move, but I can recommend Fastaff. If there is a specific hospital you are interested in, try calling their HR and ask them which travel nursing companies they have contracts with. Good luck.

NedRN · Nov 4, 2016

Fastaff is not an agency to recommend to a new traveler. Experienced travelers who understand Fastaff's market, fine, but too much risk for a new traveler. By their very nature of their business, Fastaff has fewer assignments available that would make for a suitable first assignment.

guest769224 · Nov 5, 2016

but too much risk for a new traveler.

How is there too much risk? I understand they are a rapid response agency/strikes. When paired with a a good recruiter I don't see how it makes that much of a difference. The expectation to hit the floor running stems from any agency. How is Fastaff different?

Yes I've read that they send traveler's to difficult assignments, short-staffed, etc. I don't believe that is exclusive to Fastaff. However I have no traveling experience, and would appreciate enlightenment. They are on my radar.

NedRN · Nov 5, 2016

You've heard this a thousand times from me. It is incredibly important for a new traveler to have a successful first assignment. Rapid response agencies such a Fastaff specialized in troubled or very disparate hospitals (that is why the pay is higher). They do not have a lot of traveler friendly assignments. Thus their new travelers are much more likely to be thrown to the wolves. Some may be OK, but it is far from the goals new travelers should aspire to. An experienced traveler is likely to turn down many of Fastaff's assignments as not worth even the extra bucks. A new traveler will be in the dark.

You, or any new traveler can chase the money later. Get that first assignment under your belt first to be able to self assess how you handle completely new clinical environments from the one hospital you've worked at. Worked at multiple hospitals? Well maybe Fastaff will be OK.

Regardless, it is higher risk. Picture a new police officer in completely different neighborhoods. Risk the same?

guest769224 · Nov 5, 2016

I have worked at several different hospitals. A first time traveler can likely have a successful first assignment with Fastaff. This agency has formerly staffed previous facilities I have worked at and they were reputable hospitals.

All agencies have the potential to pair a first time traveler in a bad assignment. I've seen it written in this forum before. Higher risk is subjective.

NedRN · Nov 6, 2016

If you say so. I don't think so. Some of fastaffs recent orders include software transitions. Those could be OK for new travelers. But those are the exceptions and would a never traveled nurse know to ask such a question or be aware of the implications of that information if volunteered by a recruiter?

Regardless, Fastaff doesn't baby travelers and do not usually provide the support new travelers usually need. Plus they have a well deserved rep for not returning calls if they don't know you. First hand info plus many online reports.