Preparing for travel in CA

NedRN · Jun 10, 2016

Currently, it can take less than a week to obtain a California license if the stars align and you do the Livescan in California. But by all means if a road trip to California is not feasible, go ahead and apply by mail now. There are some agencies that will pay for airfare to Sacramento for Livescan and a trip to the BON if you promise to take an assignment with them - one is Valley Health which is located just a few blocks from the BON.

Yes, she is trying to get extra money out of you. Start now, and she gets a commission. To be slightly fair, her agency also doesn't make money for potential travelers and is likely pushing her to use suggested sales technique. If some other agency talks you into taking an assignment with them, she and her agency is likely to lose you for all time. Get you in an actual assignment, you may not shop around. A traveler is worth about $20,000 a year in gross profit for an agency. We are commodities, but valuable ones!

There are hospitals everywhere that may require previous travel experience, usually only large ones that use large quantities of travelers and just doesn't want to deal with newbies. Nothing notable about California hospitals. And it depends on your specialty. For example, I can promise you that an L&D nurse will never be turned down because they don't have a prior travel assignment! If you are a entry level medsurg nurse, sure. But don't worry about it, the vast majority of hospitals have no such requirement.

Agency brand doesn't matter. The most sensitive predictor of successful travel is your recruiter - by far. Talk to lots of recruiters, pick the best three to five to work further with.

Dassit82 · Jun 11, 2016

Thanks, Ned! I appreciate the advice. It really wouldn't hurt to start now so I have a decent idea of how it works.

NedRN · Jun 11, 2016

Sure, start now, but don't let them push you around. Shop around other agencies too. What you really want is a great recruiter who puts you in a good fit for your first assignment. You want a success on your work history and certainly don't want a hell hole. Chase the money later.

Argo · Jun 11, 2016

I started with a near by contract on my firat assignment. I lived in Vail Colorado and did a contract in Denver. I was happy i did.

I worked stacked 12s for the past 18 months wherever I went, just find contracts that are ok with it.... then i could be off for long enough to go home. I started with hotels 2 nights a week then got a RV.

I travel with my rv now and like it way more than packing stuff every contract. I got a travel trailer and kind of wosh i had a smaller class a with a compact car to tow behind it.

My next contract is in san Francisco starting in a week. I have been off for 5 weeks on vacation and will take 3 months off after the San Francisco job. Money is way better in the bay area over all.

Anyhow, I would personally recommend signing up with at least 3 agencies through recruiters you get a good feeling on. Work smaller agencies in later.

Also, American Mobile did all of my licensing for California and it went quicker than most people i talk to. I used them for a while and have a few other agencies that i get quotes from now. My next assignment is with medical solutions.

I am married with a wife and son. ..

Dassit82 · Jun 11, 2016

Thanks Argo! Do you take your wife and son with you? I have a coworker who does exactly what you do using an RV. I would love to discuss the whole travel thing with him but I feel like he has an allegiance to our workplace and he will tell people I'm thinking of leaving and there will be a dramatic uprise from that. Strange, I know, but the dynamics at my hospital are very interesting to say the least. Of course I'd give my two weeks, but if anything is discovered sooner than that, I'll feel the backlash.

I will look into these travel companies y'all mentioned. Thanks again!

BeenThere2012, ASN, RN · Jun 11, 2016

Agree with above. My experience is also that it is the individual recruitor that makes a difference, not so much the company. Having said that, some have better pay scales and more benefits/bonuses etc...Most important for a new traveler is to be comfortable with your recruiter...someone who explains things thoroughly and clearly. There are so many out there, just keep making calls until you find one who you like. You will know. Go with your gut.

Argo · Jun 12, 2016

No they dont hence the stacked shifts so i can go home. I also dont take call or haven't had to at any assignments so far.

RNCEP74 · Jun 13, 2016

Argo, I am looking to start traveling with CVOR and looking to bundle shifts together so I can commute home Are you working 12s, 10s or 8s? Are the hospital's fine with having shifts bunched together and also with not taking call? Any tips are appreciated.

NedRN · Jun 14, 2016

Many CVORs are 12s but all shifts are out there. Stacked shifts are also possible, and you can certainly insist only on such assignments (doing general will expand your stacked shift chances somewhat). Be upfront with your recruiters and during the facility interviews. If it is a deal breaker for you, don't depend on the assurances of the manager and recruiter and insist on the terms being included in the contract.

Personally, I think going home every week defeats fully half the fun of traveling. You will get the new professional challenge, but won't get the full experience of enjoying a new location. In 20 years of travel I can tell you that every single assignment location has a lot of fun to offer. Many travelers feel like they have to extend not because the work experience was wonderful, but that they hadn't sufficiently done everything to do locally.

Argo · Jun 14, 2016

Ned, I understand your sentiment on the going home thing. The difference being that he and I have a family at home. I fully understand what he is trying to do. If it was just my wife and she traveled with me, I would never return home, this is what will happen when my son graduates.

In San Fran I will be working 10s and not stacked but no call so I have weekends free. Also since I will not have call, it will make me able to go home if I want to or for my wife to come down for the weekend and hit some vineyards, which is our plan for now.

Getting the contracts like I have means you have to be picky and take what you want, not what the recruiter is throwing at you. I have had 12s up to this point and have been able to stack shifts. I do not do CVOR as a traveler because of the heavy call requirements usually in place. I almost did in SF but the hospitals other campus called and needed me more than the CVOR so I took that assignment when they sweetened the pot to no call..... I have not had to take call working my last 3 assignments. My travel home has been cheap and relatively close by. If I want to o home from SF it is a $100 airline ticket or $60 in diesel. My take home in SF is over $12k/month so I am not too worried about the travel costs, plus I am not having to pay for an RV spot, using a membership I have.....

Dassit82 · Jun 14, 2016

Thanks everyone. This is super helpful. I appreciate it!