Noahj

Again, I would never advise it and never talked to a recruiter who would. However, I haven't spoken to them all I guess. A year as an RN is barely a start. Traveling is great, but it's still doing the job of nursing 3-4 days a week. Hope it turns out well. I've been to Hawaii to Alaska and a few places in between, traveling. With and without family, as well. Message me any time for questions. And to stay on topic, I went to school in Florida and yes, takes a week or so to get that license.

lol, a scam? not hardly i've worked for All About Staffing/Parallon on and off for a few years and never experienced an issue. i've also recommended friends for travel here and worked contracts and never had issues. i think it sounds more like a recruiter issue, more than a Parallon issue. i've also worked at every HCA facility here where i live and in other states and honestly, i've never seen much of a problem i didn't see at other hospital systems. to be exact, i've worked at a University teaching hospital and 3 other hospital systems in 4 different states and HCA has been fine. as a matter of fact, i'd take myself or my family to any HCA facility here before any of the other systems. i guess your mileage may vary. never understood the fuss myself.

Have you been in contact with a travel agency? Coming from someone that's done local per diem and traveling, 1 year is not a lot of nursing time to start traveling. I've worked with several agencies and I haven't come across any reputable that doesn't require at least 2 years. I didn't start per diem and traveling until I had 5 years. Even then, some assignments were demanding. Honestly, 1 year is not even the tip of the nursing iceberg. I'd be shocked and concerned if a nurse with 1 year experience were even granted an interview with a nursing manager.

Here is what I was told.... They can't promise I would never have to go long distances, such as the 1.5 I mentioned, but they try to float others closer first. In short, I'd probably go there on occasion, not regularly. What the position is, would be me floating to primary offices. Most cases, it's offices with current shortages and I could sometimes be at a particular location weeks at a time. Monday-Friday 8-5. A rare weekend here and there. Compensation for mileage. I've really been needing to get out of bedside nursing as I'm burnt out big time. Also, I really want weekends off with the family so I don't miss my 12 year old sons football and basketball games on the weekends. I hate the idea of giving up my 3 day work week, but it would be nice to know I won't miss any of my boys games. That is very important and means a lot to both of us. Lastly, it would get my foot in the door with Kaiser. Something I've been wanting to do for years. They have one more interview and I should know next week.

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts to ponder and consider. My wife is saying, no way. But I'm interested in hearing the offer. My first thought was, "How many days you guys going to send me 1.5 hours to this facility". Once every couple weeks, I'd consider. Once a week, doubt it. Once a month, more than likely. I've had similar thoughts as others have posted, staying the night at a hotel after work was the first. Once a month, I'd probably do that. I'm really wanting to get into Kaiser. They just opened a huge outpatient facility 10 minutes from my house, but damn, it's like trying to break into Fort Knox to get an interview with them. I was thinking that getting this job could get me in the door and into another position more accommodating. I'll update this after my interview and what the offer is.

I have an interview for a regional float position with Kaiser this week. Free insurance for the family and about $12 more an hour would have me banking a lot more money a month. I would save $800 a month in insurance alone, not including the bump in salary. The catch, I could potentially have an 1.5 hour commute, one way. Now, I'm not sure how often I could expect to float to that facility, but man that's a haul each way. Most of the facilities are about 40 minutes, no biggie. But 1.5 each way? Does anyone do that now or would consider it for a nice pay raise?

Passed

OK, I'm back. The first time through I didn't know it was a pass/fail, 89% to pass. I applied to a similar position last week and just got an email to take the test again. I think what got me was the dose calculations. Haven't done those in years and paniced and screwed it up. I'm going to do a quick dose conversion study and retake it. I really want a chance at this position as it's Monday-Friday 9-5. Hospital bedside nursing is going down the crapper in a hurry. I need a change.

Anyone know about the RN pre employment assessment test? I took it today and thought I got all the questions correct. However, it says I didn't meet retirements and gave me a link to the career section. No score or anything. Anyone know the process if you fail the assessment test? They give you another chance or what? Kind of ruined my afternoon.

Glad I saw this post. Im looking at taking some type of Holistic training and certification. In particular life coaching. My wife is a PT and wanting to do the same thing. We'd like to even open our own practice and build a clientele. I've been a RN working on 8 years and my wife a PT for 17. Im honestly getting tired of pushing pills for alot of preventive diseases that people don't need medication for. Im wanting to move towards preventive health and not treatment. Im not sure what path to take or peruse, but it's something in my future for sure.

How about University?

I was looking at the USVI and was told by Cross Country that they will not hire a first time traveler. Has things changed? I'm a 6 year nurse having done agency full time the last year and I'm ready to travel. Wanted to go to STT but was told I couldn't.

About 3 years ago i was set to go to Alaska with Providence Staffing. I secured my Alaska license, but things didn't work out and i eventually moved. Now here i am again looking to travel to Alaska next spring/summer. I called and talked with them again 2 weeks ago and i'm getting the process going again. They was great 3 years ago and seems great still. However, i want to make sure they still is the best to work with and i'm not missing out on another agency who offers a better package. I know that Alaska is a popular travel destination here, so if anyone has any suggestions, advice, or recommendations, please let me know. You can send me a private message if you like or even an email would be great at [email protected]

First a bit about me.... I'm a full time staff nurse at a hospital i like. However, last month i started Agency work PRN just to make some extra money. Since working 5 Agency shifts, i like it enough to consider going fulltime and quitting my staff position. My primary question is this, should i use more than 1 Agency to get assignments? And if so, how do you manage them both? Do you tell them both your availability or different agencies different days? Would different agencies have a problem if they knew you had another getting you assignments? I just wonder how you manage that situation? If both are trying to book you the same days, how do you avoid being double booked? Any advice would be appreciated :)

so i should get my resume in order and start contacting agencies next week then to ask about assignments for June?

Sorry as i know this has been asked before.... But i'm wondering when i should look into contacting agencies if i want to travel starting late June? I live in Florida and really want to do an assignment somewhere relatively close (in-state) for my first gig and was curious when i should start looking? I know Florida is tougher now, but my wife and I love Sarasota and was maybe hoping we could get an assignment there in late June. After that, we are heading out West for awhile. So, when should i get started contacting agencies?

I just posted a question in the Travel forum about Alaska. I'm starting traveling next summer with my wife and 6 year old. We would love to travel and take an assignment to Alaska. Anyone know of specific hospitals that certainly take travelers?

I'll be starting traveling this summer with my wife and 6 year old. We live in Florida and are ready to get out of here. We are wanting to head out west/north west, but we have alot of interest in Alaska as well. I can't remember seeing much about Alaska in here. Anyone ever took an assignment there or know if there are any hospitals there that take travelers?

I'll be starting travel nursing next June with my wife and 6 yr. old son coming along. We live in Central Florida and can't wait to get out of here. Tentatively, our plans are to start somewhere in Colorado or Northern California. We know nothing about either state, but we do know we want no large city or alot of people. I'm just looking for suggestions or idea on where to start planning on researching. Anyone got any ideas, suggestions, or recommendations that might fit what i'm looking for? Somewhere small and quiet (relatively speaking) that is good for travelers. Also, any advice on when to start contacting agencies if we look to travel in June?

I'm going to start travel nursing next Spring/Summer....around June. My wife is a Physical Therapist Assistant and we have a 5 1/2 who will be 6 years old son. We live in Florida now and want to desperately get out of here. We are just looking to get into a new lifestyle away from what we have done here all our lives. The one state that we both constantly read about that is regarded as gorgeous and outdoors friendly (year round) is Colorado. We haven't made any decisions that are set in stone, but we are heavily leaning towards packing up and heading that way. However, we know nothing about the state or potential cities to consider living in during my assignment. We do know though what things interest us and want to have as options for living. #1. A small town feel that is family friendly. We want it to be small enough that it's not in a major city, but big to support us. Obviously a nice hospital is a must since that will be the reason for being there. My wife may or may not work so hopefully some rehab facilities in town would be great. #2. An abundance of recreational activities. I'm a Triathlete and my wife a runner. We love exercise, biking, and camping. This is also very important to us as it's a huge part of our lifestyle. #3. Lastly, we are potentially looking for a future city to move to in a couple years after traveling. We'd really like to live somewhere that could be somewhere we could see ourselves coming back to....for good. Good economy (ya i know it's tough all over right now), good community, and good lifestyle. I'd like to hear about everyone's experiences and suggestions. I would greatly appreciate some suggestions or ideas on hospitals as well. I know it's still half a year away, but i need something to look forward to and plan for. Thanks ahead of time

I'm a RN that wants to start traveling next summer with my wife. My wife also happens to be a Physical Therapist Assistant. Before i was in school, we had considered traveling with her as a PTA....she had numerous offers. I was wondering if anyone knows of any travel companies that offers both assignments for PTA and RN's? Would be great for us to get on with the same company. Anyone have any experience similar to this?

hmm, surprised no more responses from anyone who has worked as a traveler there. i'm gonna start traveling next summer and the wife and I really want to go to Alaska

noone else with any Alaska travel experiences?

very interested in comments about traveling to Alaska myself

I was watching a special on the new resorts they are building in Dubai and was wondering about nursing there. There has got to be some new hospitals they are building there to accommodate all those new homes and neighborhoods. Has anyone ever traveled there or researched it and can give any idea as to whether it's even realistic to consider such a place to travel to?