Old nurse, new to traveling=very confused!

NedRN · May 23, 2013

There are literally hundreds of travel nurse agencies. There is no real rush in selecting the agency or agencies that will work best for you as you will learn. But one big choice is to pick very large agencies such as Cross Country or American Mobile and only work for one agency with a ton of assignments. Makes things simpler, especially for new travelers. Working for multiple smaller agencies can increase your pay, and it is always good to have a fall back plan (another couple agencies in your pocket) when your best laid plans go awry.

You will also eventually learn that your actual agency recruiter can make more difference than the actual agency name, so as you talk to different agency recruiters, focus on the ones that you communicate well with and think you can develop a good business relationship. In fact, that is what it is, a business relationship. While they are your nominal employer, they are really just a logistics center and a conduit for money. It is really the hospital that you will be working for as a contract employee, and they are the ones where you would ultimately discuss floating and other job details when you interview.

Your recruiter should have some knowledge about individual hospitals and floating and narrow down the choices. But always confirm details important to you (you don't know them all yet) in the clinical interview with your potential hospital manager for that assignment. In most hospitals I have worked at, it is unusual for PACU nurses to float. They may have their schedule rearranged for that week's surgery schedule of course, depending on the size of the hospital.

One important difference between contract work and staff. Agencies are paid an all inclusive hourly bill rate. From that, they pay all traveler compensation, as well as meet their in-house expenses and salariesfor running their business (about 20 to 30 percent of the bill rate). So there is a limited pot of money to pay hourly pay, housing, travel, and insurance. More money paid to one category of compensation means less to another. Agency health insurance tends to be poor, or expensive. You will pay for good insurance one way or another. You might screen agencies by the quality of their insurance (ask for the COBRA cost and you will get a good idea, anything less than $300 to $400 a month is crappy insurance) - but no matter the cost, you will be paying for it one way or another. You can also COBRA your last staff insurance if it has been less than 90 days and you haven't declined it, or investigate private insurance if you don't have significant health problems (I pay $200 a month for mine through Blue Cross with one pre-existing). Next year, the insurance climate will be significantly changed with the ACA in full effect and pre-existing conditions are not supposed to be considered in cost.

Let the conversation with the recruiter flow wherever it goes. You will no doubt talk for some time, and need another few calls as well. Don't waste a lot of time if you are not communicating well. Call up a few other agencies and you will start to see some patterns and will learn a lot, even though they won't be helpful with clinical concerns (just business remember). It will be somewhat overwhelming, especially the compensation. There will be a lot of talk about tax free compensation and tax homes and it will be complicated. But I think coming from KY you will be pleasantly surprised about the money. Your first couple of hospitals will be a shock and you will be surprised how differently things can be done at different hospitals - I certainly was. Stick with it, the differences are a learning opportunity and you will become a better nurse for it. Travel is fun, both clinically and location! The money is generally good as well, especially the more experience you get with the business of travel.

cheryl056 · May 26, 2013

I am also from Kentucky. After 26 years of working at one hospital I finally started to travel. I went on my first contract in Ca, and just extended. Meeting great nurses from the hospital and other agencies. Also learning what other nurses are doing and experiencing in their travels. Also new ways of doing things. Challenging, but fun. I must have spoken to 20 companies over time, and more recruiters. Nothing beats just getting out there and start. Have fun.

strawberryfields · Sep 21, 2013

Just curious, what travel agency did you go with?

anokea632 · Sep 21, 2013

I'm on my first assignment as a traveler and I'm withJackson Nurse Professionals. I've been really pleased with them so far. If you want to message me I'll give you my recruiter's name.