happymedium

True that, contracts are made to be broken. Hindsight 20/20, I would have delayed signing until I had a reasonable assurance of housing somewhere.

I did try human resources, their response was, "the company usually makes arrangements, and we have no resources to help you" I don't think I would feel safe as a single woman camping either. I continue to keep reaching out to other travelers in the hopes they will want to split. My last connection just secured a place. I will keep trying. The problem with Hawaii specifically Maui are laws regarding short term leasing, nothing under six months is legal by law. Some are doing illegally, if they are caught they could be fined and you would be evicted. Vacation rentals are unaffordable so the reasonably priced rooms are gobbled up rather quickly. This is prime vacation season. Homelessness is not really an option for me. I have lived in some rough areas but not on the street. Risk of being raped doesn't sound to smart to me.

I don't have a no for every suggestion offered, I have and continue to use multiple resources to search for housing, have talked to multiple people including real estate agents, property managers, and utilized web sites including airbnb, vrbo, crags list, the gamut. Apparently there is a lack of available housing due to increased demand, as one real estate agent informed me, people coming to the island to escape the siberian express back east. I have also communicated with people at the hospital and networked with a couple of other travelers. One was lucky to find something, the other has a possible line and if not would be willing to share with me. I was unaware that the housing market was so tight in Maui. When I interviewed I was given a few resources which did not pan out. What appealed to me to begin with was the destination of course.

Aware of delphi forums, not of fan of their "administrator." I have however tried several times to call the mgr of the dept and have yet to receive a call back. Have not tried the secretary but the unit I work is not one that would be readily available for such, but I suppose could be a last ditch effort.

I have applied to any and all that have been posted within the time frame I need. Many are week to week vacation rentals, with spotty availability. I am traveling alone, but have reached out to some of other travelers that have posted in the hope that someone would be wiling to split rent Also three month rents in HI are difficult to find. There is a 13% tax rate on any lease under 180 days. That was information given to me by an agent.

As far as multiple sites for housing goes, I am aware and have used them. Is the secretary you speak of with the agency or working at the hospital? I have requested the agency contact people at the hospital or HR in regard to facilitating housing for the travelers to no avail. I am not afraid to step out of comfort zone as I have lived and worked in many uncomfortable places over the years. This is not about comfort its about the practicality of finding housing. I cannot just assume someone is going to take me into their home.

This agency does not provide housing only stipend. I was given a contact by the manager of the unit of a cottage that a staff member was renting out. That did not pan out, they are looking for a long term lease, and also warned me that finding housing in Maui is extremely difficult right now. I had no idea. I had been perusing craigs list and thought that I could surely find a room to rent from someone. No such luck. I have continued to search and reply to any housing options, I am open to everything its just such a competitive market right now it's not looking good. Everything is either overpriced, long term lease, or multiple replies, "25 within 15 minutes of a posting", so luck of the draw I guess.

No company housing provided. Where do I stay, hotel?

I have not received any money from them, the craig list posts are other travel nurses looking for housing at the same time same place. My main concern is what if I cannot find housing? Do I travel somewhere without housing secured?

I was not expecting to do better than break even, and thought paying for plane fare up front then getting reimbursed was standard. The hosptial has hired several travelers and there are multiple posts on craigs list for the same time frame. I definitely feel like I bit off more than I can chew. Now do I back out gracefully or go forward and wing it? if I had to leave after arriving would that be less desirable than reneging now?

Is it feasible to back out of contract after it is signed? I have not yet departed for my assignment but am already seeing the error of my ways. The contract is for Hawaiii, unfortunately I was remiss in not checking out rates for car rentals etc. but was assured by my recruiter that the corporate rate would be good. It's over a thousand dollars a month! That, along with the next to impossible task of finding affordable adequate housing has left me in a quandary. I have already booked my flight, and had every intention of fulfilling this contract, but it looks more and more like it's undoable. The contract was just signed this week and my start date is slated for mid-March. The only verbiage I see relating to penalties missed shift charges at a rate of $29/hr. Could I could conceivably be charged for the entire contract of 36 hrs./wk x 13 wks?

I will heed your advice! Fickle is as fickle does. High maintenance with low return.

Ned, as always your erudite responses are much appreciated.

Agency is CCTC, been with them for three years, I've had good experience until I was cancelled from an assignment. After that they placed me on probation, which I had to complete another assignment successfully which I thought I had. Although I am not cancelled I have a "not eligible to rehire" at a specific facility of which I am still working, I got a written reference from charge nurse with nothing indicating I was not keeping up. I do think it was a difficult assignment at a very busy Level I, however I was actually shocked to get the same response from a previous place where I was renewed. Why renew me if I am not eligible for rehire now?

I guess my question is Am I able to use these references for future assignments as I have glowing reviews on paper from both. Or will they call them and get the "not edible for rehire" response. My recruiter with same agency has not given me any indication and is ready to submit to further assignments. I would like venture out with some other companies

How does it work when you are given a good reference but not eligible for rehire by the same hospital as deemed not able to keep up with the fast pace? I have no clinical issues and received high marks for professionalism and communication. I was floored when the clinical liaison for the agency called to inform me. I had a similar circumstance at another facility that renewed by contract, gave me glowing reviews, as well as a personal reference form from a charge nurse, was resubmitted recently by my agency for another assignment there as the account mgr said "oh they loved her" then received a no go from the hospital, same thing, "we liked her she is very competent" yet didn't want to "set me up for failure" afraid I would not be able to keep pace with their "peak season".

Couldn't agree more Ned. I have just completed my first year as a traveler, and can't see myself returning to a staff position any time soon. I am really enjoying the freedom and autonomy that a travel career provides. I did however experience the downturn in 2008 when I first attempted the transition. I had to return to my permanent position and was fortunate to be able to at that time. I always check on permanent positions in the event there would be another downturn. I have never felt compelled to go further with a BSN for the same reasons you have stated. I do remember when a hospital I worked at before graduating 12 years ago did not hire new grads as part of their policy.

Curious what other travelers take is on the current requirement for BSN for permanent staff positions trend is. Do you see this trend expanding into the travel field as well?

Thank you! I just got another assignment today! At the exact hospital I spoke of in my last post. I think there is an element of this in every travel job and no one speaks of it. I think you have to go into it with the attitude you can do it and not think negatively. I don't think it was the company more than the hospital itself. I asked more questions this time but still there is always risk involved in taking a travel assignment I believe. The system they used was called all scripts. I did not get a traditional tutorial class in a standard orientation like I will in this new hospital. The hospital itself was going through a huge upheaval and did not have a good reputation to begin with. I guess I would ask more questions about the hospital itself and let them know if you are first time traveler. I would ask them what system they use and sometimes they require you to be experienced in it to begin with. I am going forward and trying to not let one negative experience cloud my whole view on traveling. I think the best post I read said online said, "it takes a lot of guts to be a traveler." I also had encouragement from other travelers who had been fired as well, they said don't give up just move forward. Also when I was up front to other recruiters with what happened, I was till submitted. And the company I went with still submitted me as well. I just found a job with another company. I understand now why people sign on with more than one.

I think the most critical part for me was the documentation system, so foreign to me...also the ability to pick that up with minimal orientation. So this latest interview went something like, "they use such-and-such charting, and if you are unable to pick it up quickly they will let you go." Needless to say I don't think that would be a good fit for me. That would DEFINITELY make me nervous on the spot. I was assured that particular system is much more user friendly, and my recruiter emailed me a tutorial on it so I can do an overview. I'm just very insecure right now especially after a comment like that. Perhaps I'm not cut out to be a traveler....how do you message someone on this?

Thanks for the support Glee...so I just finished another interview over the phone for another assignment, now how do I get over the fear of failure I had from my previous one? Obviously I need to get back on the horse again, so I'm wondering, is there something I can do to help the process along other than just jump in...I want to be certain I will be successful on this next assignment.

I was fired before, just never in a nursing job, and it sucks! I am reticent to travel again, but I have to secure a job pronto so I'm lining up what I can. I find it funny that as soon as I told my current recruiter I was looking for other jobs through another agency, he suddenly told me about an assignment before the review board had approved his company to continue with me. Interesting, isn't it? I am sure am learning a lot about this travel stuff, not sure I like it. I hope to have a perm job again ASAP. As far as going home with my tail tucked between my legs, that is a last resort, as I was not happy in my former position , that's why I decided to do travel. I am applying at another hospital in the area...also found out someone with another recruiter was fired from the same hospital..

I am going forward with attempting to secure another assignment with a different company, I figure I have nothing to lose. If it works out I can stay in the area and keep my current lease. I just have reservations about my ability to succeed in travel. I was hoping to right this off as bad luck and not even put it down as a former job, however I was informed by the new recruiter that it would show up on my background check. I'm a bit embarrassed to attempt to try and return to my old job, however if things don't pan out I may not have a choice. I am basically going to apply to every job opening I see.

So it happened, I was cancelled. Now I'm stressing big time, and I'm not sure if I should even attempt another assignment. My current recruiter was nice enough, but says he can't find me another assignment until the company reviews my evaluation. Of course I'm not going to get a good one! He says he will go to bat for me, but I've already contacted other agencies, just not sure I have the confidence right now to try another travel job. Definitely a blow to my self esteem.

I have already done what you suggested, I've contacted the other recruiters, just informed them of the end date of my contract. Do I tell them I was cancelled? ..I took the stipend and signed a three month lease. I was going over everything last night and I know I have to give at least 20 days notice so it looks like I will be stuck with the February rent. I'm questioning my decision to travel at all, maybe I should just start applying for perm jobs again. I don't even want to go back but I know I can't quit or I'll have to pay even more.