Please recommend agencies

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I am not very happy with my agency. I have to call them every week about being short on my pay, they dont update their "active" assignment list online, and here I am on week 7 of my assignnent, I told them that I would like to extend if I am needed, but agency told me that they wont know until week 10 or 11. I am definetely going to get the ball going with other agencies. I have a couple in mind, but would love to hear about why u love your agency.

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What agency are you using?

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Week 7 is generally early right now with perhaps the majority of assignments being ASAP.

What agency is liked is rather irrelevant. What matters is what agency you like, and that is largely governed by how well communications goes with your recruiter. Only way to find out is to talk to lots of agencies until you find several good recruiters. Recruiters matter more (usually) than the agency name.

For what it is worth, I've never been in love with an agency and I've worked with a good number. I recognize it as a business relationship only.

I may be able to comment on agency names if you say who they are. Mostly I have a do not use list on half a dozen agencies for good cause.

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I realize 7 weeks is too early for agency to submit me to other hospitals, but in my past assignments, 7-8 weeks is when I find out whether or not my current hospital would like to extend. I also understand that most of the time, it is the recruiter, not the agency, that can make the experience worthwhile or not. My problem is it's the agency short changing me for my OT hours, not recruiter. But my recruiter is misleading me bigtime.

I will be more than happy to announce the name of my agency when my assignment ends. I am looking into Novapro -affiliated with Cross Country. Some good reviews, some terrible. Any feedback on them, or more specifically, their recruiters?

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It is wise not to mention your current agency's name. I meant the ones you were considering. If you do want to list them, please say if you spoke to them and what your impression was (they won't know who you are from these posts).

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Sorry Ned, I guess I was editing my post while u were responding. I am looking into Novapro. I spoke w a recruiter at NP and I am kinda ehh. I typically opt out of anything tax free, and instead, I get a higher hourly. NP recruiter said she's never heard of any agency doing that.

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In the past (pre-2008), NovaPro paid higher than other CC brands. Otherwise, it is what it is, one of the two 800 pound gorilla agencies. Lots of assignments, lots of people to work with (recruiters, assistant recruiters, QA, benefits, payroll, housing), but generally lower pay on average.

If you don't have a tax home (or lie about it on the housing questionnaire), agencies are not allowed to pay compensation tax-free (other than receipted reimbursed professional expenses like licensure costs). If you have a tax home, almost certainly you are better off working for agencies that maximize tax free benefits so your preference is highly questionable. If you have a tax home and ask that everything be taxed, it actually means the agency will pay you less (because they have to pay substantially more payroll "taxes" (FICA, workers comp, unemployment: employer's share is around 10% of gross pay). Plus your annual take home pay will be on the order of $10,000 less for the average traveler.

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I definetely have a tax home, I prefer it this way, at least for now, because I am looking to take out a home improvement loan and the bank will likely laugh at me if I tell them I make 18/hr which is what NP quoted me should I take a certain assignment. I am making 38/hr now plus 54/hr for OT in a rural hospital that is only 60 minutes from my house. I cannot imagind getting 10k more for if I went the other route. I am getting taxed hard, but should get a lot of it back by the end of the year when I file, so it all evens out in the end no matter which way u go?

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Nope, it doesn't end up even at the end of the year, even if you already itemize. All the money (or virtually all) that you and your employer paid on your behalf for Social Security, workers comp, and unemployment is gone forever, no tax refunds available (although there were several decades ago). Your housing deduction is limited to actual receipts only (where agency housing stipend is only limited by the GSA published amounts). You can deduct GSA meals and incidentals, but the amount is reduced by 50% when you report it on form 2106, and further reduced by filing thresholds.

All in all, it adds up to about $10,000 more in the bank at the end of the year for most travelers. I suspect it won't be that much for you as I'm sure you are taking some tax-free compensation, perhaps housing. Perhaps you are a straight employee where you are working now? If so, you will make more as a traveler typically than you do now. It can be difficult to show on paper sometimes, particularly if maintaining your tax home is high.

Most travel assignment pay in total compensation between $40 and $50 an hour. Overtime at those ridiculous traveler base rates need to be negotiated separately and should end up (in my opinion) between $50 and $70 an hour. While CC is unlikely to negotiate OT, some of the very largest agencies are getting enough pushback on OT rates (and rightfully so) that they are paying shift bonuses for extra time worked (getting at least close to a fair rate.

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I just switched from AMN to Travel Nurse Across America. Great company and pay. $1000 moving expenses one way, extra shift bonus, my current contact is $100, I've seen as high as $150. They also start insurance on day 1 a and it's free. For every hour worked you earn points you can also cash in

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I just switched from AMN to Travel Nurse Across America. Great company and pay. $1000 moving expenses one way, extra shift bonus, my current contact is $100, I've seen as high as $150. They also start insurance on day 1 a and it's free. For every hour worked you earn points you can also cash in

Current contact is $100???? Something misspelled perhaps?

Not to be snarky, but there is no such thing as free anything. It is part of your compensation and if it wasn't "given" to you, they could have paid you more money. Same thing with the points. I'd like to see more money every hour I work. It is human nature to love "free" stuff and rewards. But the primary beneficiary of this marketing is the agency, not the employees.

You are also fooled into thinking about one agency as a parental figure or a marriage partner. Start picturing yourself as a free agent with no strings and you will make even more.

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I will look into TNAA reviews, thank u! Ned, I think she meant they will give u an extra 100 for any extra shifts plus OT. That is what I gather from their website. Ned, can u PM me about any recruiters/companies that u work for or liked well? U are definetely a maven in this field abd I'd like to take ur leads.

Also, have any of u ever negotiated to get OT after 36 hours??

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