Oh pleaeaasse, Flexcare

NedRN · Aug 13, 2014

Flexcare doesn't have the best reputation for customer service, at least not on the traveler side. Of course you had some location requirements.

Not much to say about your compensation, but I'm sending you a PM.

raindrop · Aug 13, 2014

According to the calculator, my gross income comes out to be approx 22/hr. Deciding on whether I should ignore Flexcare's email offer, or call then out on lowballing me at 22/hr grrr

NedRN · Aug 13, 2014

I think you may have made an easy mistake to make with the calculator. The rather clunky design requires you to put in the entire assignment's housing stipend, not just one week as you probably did. $584 weekly stipend divided by 36 hours is $16 an hour. That is $34 total, plus another perhaps $1 for travel. The calculator will add about another $2 for hidden employer side payroll taxes for total pay of about $37 an hour. Yes, still low for most assignments to be sure, but I will say the midwest often has astonishingly low bill rates (to me anyway). Would you believe Columbus OH at a bill rate (not traveler pay) at $42? I have no idea who takes such assignments, but somebody must.

Anyway, you like the location, take it. In the future, find out pay if you can prior to submission and you might be able to find out what other agencies are paying (call the hospital and ask what agencies they use). That is a good bit of work and there are some variables that you have little control over - like perhaps one agency is favored by HR, or that you even will be considered over other candidates no matter which agency. But talking to other agencies will at least tell you if $37 is the right ballpark, or if you really can earn $5 an hour more without fantastic negotiating skills.

Have you been interviewed yet? If you have, and they want you, you may be able to squeeze a few more bucks out of Flexcare. But it is usually favorable to go with the best agency from the get go. If they haven't submitted you, you still have a shot at finding another agency. I gather you were not in love with the location anyway, but I don't know what your time constraints are. $37 is way better than not working at all.

raindrop · Aug 13, 2014

Yea, I def. calculated it wrong. That is an excellent tool though.

I took an assignment years ago and remember being happy with them. I called them this week because I just wanted to get a feel for them now and inquire abt assignments in Illinois, I havent even applied to Fx yet, and I dont believe I am going to unless I can get a good OT rate and OT pay after 36hrs. I expect around 1100-1200/wk take home before OT Plus company to pay for an apt or extended care.

Blessedone1 · Aug 19, 2014

I was also received the same amount from Flexcare. The location was in Dallas and Houston, TX for a telemetry nights position. Between them and two other companies I talked with, that pay package was comparable. I've been submitted by one company already (Aya). However, still deciphering between companies. "I would be a first time traveler"

NedRN · Aug 19, 2014

It is amazing to me the capture rate of first time travelers by agencies with, well, somewhat frayed reputations. I'd bet there is a connection between money spent marketing and treatment/pay of travelers. I don't think either Aya or Flexcare are great choices (but I'd take Flexcare over Aya any day). Of course, to some extent, it doesn't matter too much for the first assignment, you can and perhaps should put up with more to get a first assignment completed. And of course the recruiter matters more than the brand. I just hope you continue to a second assignment.

Blessedone1 · Aug 19, 2014

Understandable. I mostly went with that company due to highway hypodermics ratings. But I now do realize and have been reading many posts from blogs, your post, other forums etc. However, being my first time, do you have at least a couple reputable ones that are great for first timers then. I have read and read blogs and everyone seems to have their experience good/bad with above listed companies. I want to make a valid and informed decision just as everyone would. I know this topic has been reiterated 1000s of times all over this blogs.

BonnieSc · Aug 19, 2014

Is this in Springfield? I used to work there and my salary as permanent staff seemed very, very low (coming from California, and then again when I moved to Seattle). But costs were also very low--definitely not comparable to Chicago. In most circumstances I compare Springfield to the south, rather than to Chicago, Minneapolis, etc.

NedRN · Aug 19, 2014

Understandable. I mostly went with that company due to highway hypodermics ratings. But I now do realize and have been reading many posts from blogs, your post, other forums etc. However, being my first time, do you have at least a couple reputable ones that are great for first timers then. I have read and read blogs and everyone seems to have their experience good/bad with above listed companies. I want to make a valid and informed decision just as everyone would. I know this topic has been reiterated 1000s of times all over this blogs.

Your travel experience is largely determined by your recruiters. So don't just call an agency, really talk and listen to the recruiter and think about if you want to work with them. Do they answer questions clearly? Anything mysterious or brushed over? Any feelings of trust or mistrust?

That said, working with the big agencies American Mobile and Cross Country is not a bad way to edge into your career. They have a large number of assignments and more than smaller agencies, will be better able to select appropriate assignments for a first time traveler. They do not burn new travelers to go to bad hospitals that no one else will go to (as far as I know) like some agencies will, no need to keep their business model going. PPR and PHP are known for really good service. One of them (I think PPR) sends a care package a day or two after you arrive to your provided housing with toilet paper and snacks and sundries. Some travelers love that!

None of those named agencies are known for good pay. But that is not really your priority on a first assignment. As a disclaimer, I've worked with all of those agencies except American Mobile in the long distant past. Your experience may vary! There are tons of agencies you may have good luck with, but again, call lots of them and pick ones you have a good rapport with the recruiter. Don't go simply on the brand name. Even agencies I consider bad like Aya based on traveler reports and inside information (like lawsuits in the case of some agencies) will have many happy travelers.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2014

Cross Country and it affiliates Novapro and Medstaff are primary vendors for some big hospital systems.

For example they were the only one with contracts for Dartmouth Hitchcock in NH. It was a VMS which I believe means that CC is the primary or exclusive vendor.

If you want to work at certain big hospital systems, make a blended rate of 28 to 30 / hr and have a smooth transition with decent housing CC or Novapro will get you up and running.

If working at well known hospitals is important to you they can make that happen.

You will be interviewed by their clinical nurse and they review your skill checklist and will coach you on how to interview.

The pay is always lowish but they offer a lot in the way of support which is good when you are new at travel nursing. Health insurance was very reasonable or free with a 225 month cobra when I left.

I would work for them again and probably will when I go to Alaska.

NedRN · Aug 19, 2014

Yes, travel nursing has become more complex, and the more knowledge you have about the industry, the better you can get your share. I went to the Travelers Conference last year and I asked a number of CEOs about vendor managers. They said that about 75% of their open assignments were through vendor managers, but only about 50% of their filled assignments were filled through vendor managers. The rest came from their direct contracts. That is a telling review of the importance of having a direct relationship with hospitals. I think the pendulum will eventually swing the other way on vendor managers - still growing hugely at the moment.

PanTravelers has a definitive article on the entire VM industry. It is really just for the advanced traveler who wants to get the most out of a career in traveling.