per-deim AZ and CA

wife is currently picking up some per diem . Because she has been getting cancelled 1 day per week. Her Per Diem has dried up the last 2-3 weeks. She covers the Phoenix area. She was told things are drying up fast

Tina,

I am in Phoenix now. I have been on assignment here since November 2008. The Phoenix market is normally a hot spot for travelers and those who want per diems - it WAS the reason I came to the desert. NOW - the per diem market and the travel contracts are all most as dried up as the desert plain itself. I want to stay but it looks like I will be moving on.

BTW, where in SC are you from? That is my home state. Yes - SC has lousy pay rates for travel contracts and per diems. I heard a rumor once that the hospitals there have agreed on rates (which I believe is illegal) and this is why pay rates stay low. My last assignment wwas in Charleston, SC the rate was good but that hospital was in serious trouble and need staff pronto. LOL they cancelled there last batch of travelers (in mass) just as my finall assignemnet was complete.

Best of Luck,

C

I am between Myrtle beach and Charleston. Just got back from Phoenix..worked only 4 days out of a week and a half decided to come back home..It was awful...Thoght I might try CA...Any thoughts...T

I know of at least 3 hospitals here in Az that are completely cutting travelers. And we have more applicants than jobs for core positions, so we won't be needing any travelers soon.

I worked at West Valley and they had only one staff and the rest travelers...on night and days...I worked per-diem and I think they had contracts...I dont know if it was just the company I worked with?? Because there were a lot of travelers there. Do you have a contract there? Thanks

I used to live in California and worked Per Diem. Depending on the agency you can make $41-$50/hr. Per Diem work is VERY slow right now. I'm currently on a travel assignment out in California and I was here 2 weeks before my assignment started and had booked myself for per diem work and between 2 agencies, I got canceled everyday for 9 days in a row. If you're gonna do Per Diem just to supplement your income that will be fine, but with the economy being so bad you can't depend it as your only income.

Has anyone worked for the Banner health system. I am starting FEb 23 I think at west Valley hospital and I was wondering about the testing they give us travelers. The recruiter sent me a study guide but all it told me was that there were questions on all systems. HELP PLEASE

Several hospitals across Az have cancelled contract on travelers, so not only would I be weary but if I were you I'd save what I could during your next assignment.

We are traveler free and had to cut all travelers with little to no notice a few weeks ago. I'd just be very careful right now coming here...

I've been traveling in CA for the last year and a half. Things got tough here in Northern CA in late October/early November when Kaiser cancelled all travelers, and then of course all other area hospitals went on a hiring freeze until their 2009 budget was released. I was working per diem and getting cancelled about 50% of the shifts during that time. Some of the hospitals in my area finally opened up a few traveler positions and they were all snapped up super fast. I got lucky and ended up with a sweet deal. I'm temporary staff with full bennies... even PTO! I'm on with them full time for 6 months, and then can either continue full time, change to per diem, or move on. I had forgotten what a real orientation was like! I'm so used to being autonomous, it's strange having my hand held! Anyhooo...it seems many of the nursing students in the area are sweating it because there are so few GN opportunites here, and the management at my facility says there is currently no nursing shortage in NorCal. I'm feeling pretty blessed with my gig. Whew!

Has anyone worked for the Banner health system. I am starting FEb 23 I think at west Valley hospital and I was wondering about the testing they give us travelers. The recruiter sent me a study guide but all it told me was that there were questions on all systems. HELP PLEASE

West Valley Hospital is not in the Banner system. It is run by Abrazo.

I have worked for Banner before. The tests are easy - a basic math test, HIPPA stuff, etc. It should not be a problem. Happy traveling!