Onward Healthcare

SCGreywolf · Sep 8, 2007

They actually are pretty reputable. And No, they are not part of the Evil Empire (either one of them)......at least not yet. The one thing I would make sure of with Onward is that you insist that they not submit you to a facility until you are sure you might want to go there. They got over exuberant and submitted me to three facilities that I had no intention of attending. Made me look bad when the HR called me for an interview and I told the truth. The recruiter was properly chastened when he called me back to apologize. However, the couple of contracts I had with them went ok, pay is marginal but the housing usually is awesome.

The Wolf

auntsas82 · Jun 4, 2009

I see this is an older post, but I am doing the same and looking for recommendations on onward healthcare. Did you end up working for them? If so what did you think? Thanks!

blondnursey · Jun 5, 2009

i had an awful yime with them, recruiter was bad. but you get those everywhere i guess. they also submitted me before i agreed to go to facilities.

auntsas82 · Jun 5, 2009

Thanks for your reply. Interesting, well I spoke with a recruiter today. THey have a couple of positions that would be workable for me, in this economy I dont feel like I have much of a choice. I have been submitted a gazillion places with out even a phone interview! I am trying to pick up per diem here, but it is very tight, I get called off alot! Thanks, Auntsas

Bella RN, BSN, MSN · Jun 6, 2009

Hi Aunstas,

I have not taken an assignement with Onward but I have spoken to two recruiters and they appeared to be very nice and helpful. The first recruiter Milena who is no longer there :crying2:was bending over backwards to try to get me the assignment that I wanted but I wasnt ready for traveling at that time. She was a sweetheart-:redpinkhe-I always felt like I was talking to one of my girlfriends. :specs:

I am now READY for traveling and talking to another recruiter with Onward and she seems okay.

Where are you wanting to travel?? I remember when my phone would be ringing off the hook from the traveling companies and now I am contacting them because I am sooooooooooo ready to get out of Fla and try something new.

I am on a ICU contract that ends at the end of the month and don't want to go to staff there or anywhere in my state b/c I am so ready to be out. :jester:

But I am wondering what the deal is because they keep telling me it is a bit early to find an travel assignment for mid July--not sure if that is true or not.

Let me know where they are telling you there a bunch of jobs. I do ICU, CCU, Open hearts, but I DO NOT want to do hearts on a travel assignment.

Thanks )

auntsas82 · Jun 6, 2009

The lady I talked with (Angela) was VERY nice, but I thought I would try to get some feedback about the company itsself. I am a ICU/CCU nurse myself, looking to go anywhere with nice nature scenery :) I am from the midwest (flat flat and more flatness around here, with some prarie grass.) I would really like to see the smokey mountain area, I love the west, I got back from a winter in Wyoming in which I was awestruck! First time I have had the chance to be up close with the mountains! As for my home hospital, which is a 750 bed hospital, I love the very sick, intense patients! For travel contracts, I have found that I like those quaint little towns, not rocket science hospitals. I find the staff to be more friendly, and I can really experience the culture of the area (and as you can tell I love to talk!). So I guess that is what I am looking for, a quaint little town, community hospital in a beautiful setting! I know what you say about July start is true. Things have gotten really tight, when a hospital decides they need a travelor they want it NOW with a licence already in hand. I am not from a compact state, so that makes it difficult. I want a 7/6 start date, and I am being turned away because there are people who can start sooner! Well if you want out of Florida, I will recommend my favorite contract I have ever taken to you. Sheridan Wy! Fun, nice, helpful, friendly group of gals. ICU maxes out at 2 pts, even though it is a smaller hospital, I took care of some VERY sick people. It was overall a very enjoyable experience, I would have stayed there if they would have needed me! Good luck to you :) Auntsas

Bella RN, BSN, MSN · Jun 7, 2009

Good luck to you as well. I am looking to go to Maryland, DC, NC, Conneticut or Maine. I REALLY like the Maryland/DC/VA area.

I having some other local things lined up for me in case, but I REALLY want to travel. I agree with you I would like to go to a smaller hospital. I am at a 500+ hospital--non teaching and I want to just do simple plain Medical Surgical ICU.

I don't want to do CVICU or any speaciality ICU on a travel assignment because It is sooooooooooo important to know the protocols Especially for the speacialized ICU.

loricatus · Jun 7, 2009

Good luck to you as well. I am looking to go to Maryland, DC, NC, Conneticut or Maine. I REALLY like the Maryland/DC/VA area.
I having some other local things lined up for me in case, but I REALLY want to travel. I agree with you I would like to go to a smaller hospital. I am at a 500+ hospital--non teaching and I want to just do simple plain Medical Surgical ICU.
I don't want to do CVICU or any speaciality ICU on a travel assignment because It is sooooooooooo important to know the protocols Especially for the speacialized ICU.

For that area you might want to try Sagent and On Assignment, too.

Bella RN, BSN, MSN · Jun 7, 2009

Yes I am signed up with on assignement as well. I have not heard of Sagent. How is that company??

loricatus · Jun 7, 2009

Sagent has a good reputation. Main office is in New England and think they also have an office in Virginia (but not sure of that)-that's why i thought of them when you mentioned the places you want to go.