positivethinker

Great suggestion AppleRN regarding critiquing individual Sutter hospitals. And as far as meeting your husband while on assignment. CONGRATS!!!!! Wonderful happy ending:up:

Thank you flexiseal, bluntforcetrauma, dchicurn, applern4, carcam75,zacarias and Ersupertramp for all of your positive and insightful comments regarding Sutter. And I agree AppleRN4, its only 13 weeks , I can tolerate an assignment for 13 weeks and move in. I have had some good travel assignments where you feel like your license is screaming and in great danger and some pleasant travel assignments where I have extended.

I definately understand your hesitation. I have passed up on offers to go to certain hospitals because they have a reputation of floating every 4 hours. It doesnt seem safe. Im also ICU and I know we can get up to 2 pts and if your short staffed I have seen nurses get 3 pts. So getting floated every 4 hours, is a nightmare. Ive had friends who have had this experience and have since left those hospitals. Because of the confusion that it can cause between patients. Or establishing relationships between pts and families then having to leave and start all over. It was frustrating. But on a good note, I hear alot of nice stories about the views and sites in SF, Im hoping to go there one day. Would you ever consider returning to Marin?

Been there, done that. Seeing that you did your last assignment in 2010, would you ever consider going back to do another assignment in Hawaii? Especially during the Michigan winters

You are welcomed on the posting advice. You expanded on what you thought you read regarding the post. You read what you wanted to read. I did ask for feedback on Sutter, from those who have worked as a traveler, as a strike nurse or contingent. You recommended not to work strikes etc and how you are working against fellow nurses when you do so. The question was simple, share your experience. But you had to add your comment about working against your fellow nurse if you choose to work a strike. Other hospitals have their definitions of what they refer to as their contingent nurses. So maybe by your third decade you will come across some other usage for the word. Enough is enough with this conversation...do as you will with it. Im moving on now. There are other great posts to read from others who share their journeys. Im sure you will have the last word on this conversation...have fun with that. While you continue to enlighten others with your beneficial methodology. Stick to the questions that is being asked. Bye

Ned..the question is simple. Has anyone worked at Sutters as a traveler, strike nurse or contigent? Here , let me rephrase it , I am looking for those who would like to share their work experience as a contracted traveler, someone who has worked a strike or someone who has worked as staff float pool for Sutter... I have read some of your threads from the past that you have responded to, Ned you have a habit of extending and adding to topics that are being discussed..in other words stick to the topic. Or for THIS topic just stick to what is being asked. The additional response after your experience with working at Sutters was unnecessary. No where in the original question was asked/indicated that advice was needed regarding working a strike. Your quote "I don't recommend working strikes, typically you will lose money versus working steadily as a regular traveler. And of course you are working against fellow nurses when you do so." If you gathered that it was , then sorry that you read into that. But once again thank you for sharing your experience with working in the Bay Area.

At some hospitals contingent staff is the hospitals own in-house float staff. The thread asked if anyone has worked as either a traveler, strike nurse or contingent. I do know of some nurses who have worked strikes at Sutters and have done very well with it. Those nurses who choose to work strikes have a right to do so, I know their are people who oppose doing strikes and look negatively on those that do. Everyone is entitled to do what to their own opinion. I do not know the circumstances of why someone may do a strike but its not for me to say, I have not walked in this persons shoes. Regardless, this is always a subject that is blown way out of proportion in my opinion. If you want to do a strike then do it, for whatever reason you see fit, its your decision. If you dont want to do strikes, thats fine too. To smoke or not to smoke...To do "A" or not to do "B". Who cares. I just wanted to hear the experiences of those who have worked at Sutters. I thank you for sharing your Sutter experience.

Hi I have heard mixed reviews regarding Sutter Hospitals. From strike nursing to high paying contingent nursing. Has anyone worked at Sutters as a traveler, strike nurse or contigent? thank you

Thank you for the information. I have been a traveler for 11+ years and I have worked with several agencies and hospitals. However, I was interested in someone within ICU who had a story to tell about their travels in Hawaii. Alot of the posts regarding Hawaii are around 5 yrs or more. I am seeing roughly the same agencies you have listed, but I would like to know from someone who has traveled with them recently to Hawaii. I have worked with Cross Country before, however, they offer low rates. My experience with them in the past has been hit or miss. And their pay period is bi weekly, depending on the hospital you can obtain a weekly paycheck. I thought about going with them just to get to Hawaii then network once I get there, to find out things for myself. Because I know everyones experience will be different. But sometimes you want to get a little insight before diving in.

Sounds good , thank you

What is a pay rate range that you should offer, that will set you apart from the other companies that are already established at the hospital. Or do you have a good chance of being paid what they are being paid or how low should you go. So, what Im reading is, I can represent myself and be a one person agency (so to speak) and cut out the middle man. After lining my ducks up, insurance, written contracts, etc. Im sure it varies but which hospitals do you find this to be more effective, larger trauma centers or smaller community hospitals or anywhere in between?

Hi I am a ICU nurse very much interested in traveling to Hawaii. I am looking for travelers who have traveled to Hawaii within the last year or two to help get some insight on hospitals that are travel friendly, agencies that work well with travelers and how did your assignments work out? I understand the rate of pay varies but if possible to also provide a range of rates that are being offered or housing stipends. And if you felt this was a fair amount based on the high cost of living in Hawaii. I dont expect to break the bank with my paycheck from Hawaii. And I know its away to see Hawaii, like a paid vacation. But I dont want to have to live on the streets once I return home. Do you fair better with the local agencies or do you break even? And Im having a little difficulty finding recent reviews from other travelers on agencies that go to Hawaii. Thank you

What 6 agencies do you work with regarding the conversions? I have only found two?

What is the average pay rate for an Epic conversion assignment and is it a different rate for ICU vs Med/surg?

Hi I am interested in becoming an independent contractor b/c I am tired of sub contracting with incompetent/unprofessional agencies. I am ready to cut out the middle man. But I would like to ask those of you who have taken the leap and are successfully working independently. When you negotiate your contracts, how do you determine the top billing rate? I was told that every state is different due to numerous things for example the cost of living. For example in Michigan I have talked to some nurses who have become independent contractors and state that Michigan's top billing rate is around $50-$55 an hour. Is there a web site that I can go to so I can view this information? What are the going rates for some of the other states, for example Virginia or Maryland. Another question: Once you have obtained your top billing rate do you charge for overtime or b/c you are able to receive the billing rate that the agencies are obtaining do you not opt for overtime pay? Final question: How often are paid as a independent contractor, is it weekly or monthly? I had one nurse who started their own agency state that they are paid monthly. What are other suggestions to include in negotiating a contract? Thank you -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited 10/1/2007 6:37 pm by positive15

Hi I am interested an obtaining malpractice/liability insurance and wanted to hear from those who have done so. Any company recommendations? Has anyone used NSO? I would like to add to my original message. I have signed on with a new agency, that offers the 1099, but in order to get utilize the rate at the 1099 option I have to have proof of malpractice/liability insurance.

:) Thank you everyone for the wonderful response. Very much appreciated. I'm glad these type of forums are available. I'm definately dropping that company from my list. This particular recruiter continued to reply, "I'm trying not to scare you but give you some facts that others won't tell you", well she did a pretty good job of discouraging me from becoming a traveler. I'm getting closer and closer to signing with a company and stepping out on my quest of becoming a travel nurse. But I wanted to start off with a small assignment to get my feet wet. I had heard so many great and not so great things about traveling and this recruiter just threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing. It just didn't sound right to what she was saying. It made it sound as if the hospitals have so much power over a travelers schedule. But what I was getting from other travelers was not the case. I couldn't imagine being told that I wasn't needed for that nights shift but would have to come back the next day if needed and would have no say in it. I was definately having second thoughts. As far as the tax free stipend question I had(sorry for the confusion)...my plans are to move from my current state and relocate to a permanent residence in another state, therefore accepting a stipend instead of company housing. I was told by this same recruiter that if I could prove that I was maintaining two households (my previous residence and the relocated residence) that the money that I received from the stipend would be tax free, but if I could not prove the maintance of two households than the money that I receive from my stipend would be taxed. But that there were was of getting around this. After hearing all of this, I think to save myself from the headache I would just submit my new address. I was also told that anytime I take a break in between assignments (i.e completion of a 13 week contract, then taking 2 weeks off and beginning another assignment) the two weeks that I take off will be deducted from my stipend and therefore I will only receive a portion of it. But if I take my 2 or 1 week vacation/break in between the 13 weeks (i.e requesting time off during week 12 and resuming) then I will still be eligible for the entire stipend. And now that I know that I won't be on call, I can plan for my days off with no worries. Thank you once again, everyone

I was told by a recruiter that as a travel nurse you may show up for work and due to low census you are cancelled and although they may not need you that night, they may tell you to come back the next day and you can't refuse, b/c as a travel nurse you can't say no, b/c you are constantly on-call. The recruiter stated that this is a part of "guaranteed hours" (you can be placed where needed) but if you have in your contract that you don't want guaranteed hours, you can be cancelled and you just go home. I don't mind floating but I don't like the idea of arriving for you shift and being cancelled and then told to come back the next day and maybe you can be placed. Does the hospital call you ahead of time to tell you about the cancellation? Has this ever happened to anyone, what is the usual policy? I understand as a traveler you are mainly there as a fill-in, to help out with staffing. From what I understand you are usually on a 3 or 4 day work week. So are you usually placed on a schedule that has been made out in advance? Or can you be placed day by day as needed with no idea of what your schedule for the week will be. :uhoh21: I feel that it is important to also have a life outside of the hospital and spend time with my family, but I don't like the idea of being on call at a moments notice. I was also told that if you can prove that you are maintaining two households stipends can be tax free. But some have worked around this...how???? Thank you

Thank you for the response...I haven't heard that many good things about Cross Country. But the few positive comments that I have heard have been really great. I guess I won't really know until I get out there and experience a few for myself. But I guess the hardest part is just getting your feet wet into the workd of the unknown. :)

Hi I've been trying to research different travel companies, but their our so many. I'm trying to narrow it down to at least two. Has anyone ever worked for the following companies and if so was the good and bad of your experience? Bridgestaffing Cross Country HPO(onassignment.com) Faststaff RN Network Thank you

ER or ICU nurse...Which one is more marketable? Post #1 Hi PLEASE HEAP I'm considering becoming a travel nurse. I have 6 months of experience working in the ER and 1 yr of experience working in the ICU units. I know that travel nurses are not accepted to work unless they have 1 yr in. I believe my heart is really into being an ER nurse opposed to traveling as a ICU nurse. But for the time being it looks like I'll have to go with the speciality that I have more time in. How do I go about working on getting my ER experience while traveling as an ICU nurse? I was told that some companies allow you to work per diem to build other nursing skills. Is it more marketable just to stay with ICU? Or should I just sign on with a hospital and work in the ER? I suppose I can get use to traveling as an ICU nurse, but I'm tired of all those llloooonnnnggg nights of just bathing and re-positioning pts every two hours. Or getting pulled to other floors every other night. In ER I won't have to be concered with getting pulled and I get to work with more of a variety. Has anyone out there ever crossed trained or was hired out with more than one specialty? Thank you

Hi PLEASE HEAP I'm considering becoming a travel nurse. I have 6 months of experience working in the ER and 1 yr of experience working in the ICU units. I know that travel nurses are not accepted to work unless they have 1 yr in. I believe my heart is really into being an ER nurse opposed to traveling as a ICU nurse. But for the time being it looks like I'll have to go with the speciality that I have more time in. How do I go about working on getting my ER experience while traveling as an ICU nurse? I was told that some companies allow you to work per diem to build other nursing skills. Is it more marketable just to stay with ICU? Or should I just sign on with a hospital and work in the ER? I suppose I can get use to traveling as an ICU nurse, but I'm tired of all those llloooonnnnggg nights of just bathing and re-positioning pts every two hours. Or getting pulled to other floors every other night. In ER I won't have to be concered with getting pulled and I get to work with more of a variety. Has anyone out there ever crossed trained or was hired out with more than one specialty? Thank you Thank you for your help.