Spendercash

Gumspit, I noticed you are from Bama I am also MOBILE.... Finding a assignment close to home or with decent pay in the south is a joke!!! I was offered my first assignment today in Wyoming 32.00 an hour and you pay your own utilities and have to get them turned on is that customary???? Email me directly if you have any advice for me.... ROLL TIDE ROLL!! Sherri

Never heard of TG healthcare. However, if you will really do your homework on this forum and others you can easily figure out who are the most popular Big Companies and Smaller Companies. Some offer more of your specialty than others you just really have to dig in and research for many hours. There is no perfect answer I seperated companies that do short term assignments, smaller, larger, best benefits because ins is important to me. I even went as far as calling some nurse managers in the areas I have been approached about. Recruiters hate to hear that you have spoke with a nurse manager without their input but, who cares it's your assignment. Getting into travel nursing is very expensive in the beginning License, getting to an assignment, all the on the road expenses. It is alot of info to sort through so the more info you have before making your decisions the better. The nurse manager I recently spoke with about a New Mexico assignment was grateful that I called about the facility itself and what the real needs were. I couldn't travel immediately which is what her need was but, she was so impressed she referred me to another nurse manager who called me. I never tried to backdoor my recruiter just get more info than they were willing or possibly able to give me. My questions to the Nurse Managers had nothing to do with bill rates it was all about what they were looking for in a Traveler. Everyone isn't ambitious enough to go this route and I understand that but, to be a traveler you have to be a risk taker. Hope this post gets you more insight. Sherri The Gypsy RN

Wow ! I have heard nothing good about either of those companies. I am hoping for a good experience with no PBDS testing.... :)

Ok things are looking up that I may get an assignment this week or next I have been submitted for several by a few different companies. I'm looking for any feedback on these companies I'm looking for only Peds or NICU unless I get desperate I'm over adult Med-Surg.... These companies have all my DOCS and I have done countless hours of reseaching companies. Bridgestaffing- local company in my hometown TNS- Have used them before Core Medical- Impressive Recruiter that truly listened to what I was looking for. Preferred Health Care/Sisiter company of NurseChoice - I'm thinking a good choice for short or long assignments. ACES - Local Company in home state. I have talked with atleast twenty others and it has become overwhelming and it's time to make a decision. I need good health Ins just for myself, hopefully one that will allow for preexsisting with certificate of present coverage, I have Crohns Disease can't go uninsured. Positions I have been submitted for Montanna 8 weeks 34.00 hr Hawaii- 4 weeks in Honaloulou 34.00 but, hey it's Hawaii right??? New Mexico- Navajo Reservation, and some others. All advice or opinions welcomed and appreciated. I have five years of management, 14 years of Peds/Oncology/Hospice/ and I'm an adventurer so I just need some reinforcement to go TRAVEL.... If you want to email privately feel free! If only there were a Wings Nationwide so I wouldn't miss my college football !!!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!! GO LSU TIGERS!! Thanks in Advance for all Responses, SherriPenRN The Traveling Gypsy

Hi Dianne, I don't no how far south you are trying to get to but, there are a couple of companies here AL that you may want to check with for an assignment in the south. They are smaller companies but may be able to get you where you want to be for now. If you want to email directly for more info feel free!! I look forward to reading your post us Peds nurses seem to be few and far between. SherriPenRN

I have done Pediatric Hospice for years it's difficult but, very important to make sure that child has a good death so the family can lessen the guilt they sometimes feel espcially when it is an infant with birth defects. I have done Adult care for the last year because I needed a break from my kids dying. I am a Hospice educator as well so you would think it would get less emotional and painful but it doesn't. I'm going back to Peds this month though enough of adult care for me...lol I would be glad to provide any info I can if you would like to email me privately. Sherri RN

Just thought I would chime in! I'm hopfully going to have an assignment in my local area next week but in trying to make a back up plan I called the local hospital I do contract with yesterday. I was in the hospital the entire month of July and have still been off on sick leave until now. Anyway, when I left in July the hospital was full of travelers and contract. My Nurse manager there told me she loved me and when I was up to coming back to work to call her back for another contract.. Well, feeling a little desperate and not wanting to leave go cross sountry until Nov I called my agency. One of the guys told me they had no work at my hospital. I thought he was full of it so in disbelief I called the Nurse Manager OMG it's true no more contract and Travelers!!!!!! They have been able to accumulate permanent staff through a new Nurse Intern program. I was in shock because they were plan B.... Gustov screwed up plan A. So what have I learned you better have a plan C. Nurse manager wanted me to come back on the hospital flex plan. I'm glad she loves me but, I can't or wont break my back for that pay. Although I haven't figured out plan C. It could be worse I could be one of the Nurses who was on assignment in LA and unexpectedly sent home Thanks to Gustov.... THey are suppose to bring Travelers back in next week I'm praying.

I'm about to travel I'm going to say for the first time since my first assignment was a bust and a nightmare back in Jan.... I'm over it Now 9 months later....lol I have done Peds from birth to Unfortunately their early deaths for 14 years. I took a year off to do adult care do to burn out, and 1 year with adults and I'm all better..... GOSH big people are such whinners!!! My wine consumption has went way up since doing adult care. I would love to hear about any great travel experiences, hospitals, agencies that cater to Peds/NICU. I live in Mobile, AL I hear I have strong Southern Personality and accent you Thank!!!!! I'm just outspoken with a sweet accent....lol I live in ALABAMA for heavens sake, so I really want to avoid narrow minded folks who think we are all uneducated Rednecks who work for cheap!!!! Although some of us are desperate I'm not ,God Love those who are. I'm just not one of em! It's like me assuming all Yanks are rude can you imagine?? Just looking for some positive advice, I have narrowed down my Travel Companies to five I think so almost in a position to get demanding....(just kiddin) At this time I have no desire to go to Cali or New York. Would love to do New Mexico, Oregon, Conneticut, Maine, Montana, Wyoming, anywhere there are great photo opportunities. In my other life I'm a photographer amateur. Thanks for all responses. I will be working in Bama & Louisiana, Texas until winter. All advice will be taken seriously I need help with this decision. Thanks In Advance, Sherri RN/Realtor

Just looking to talk with some Pediatric/NICU travelers to chat with. I have done Peds in pretty much as aspects from life to untimely death for 14 years. I would love to hear about some other travelers experiences. Good Assignments, Agency, so on and so on. I will be traveling to New Mexico for Winter to the Navajo region I'm excited but, nervous about the language/culture barriers. Hopefully will do MT in the spring there are so many places to see just looking for the best experience since it is work!! Thanks for all responses, Sherri RN The nurse of the Little People!

I have done Peds for 14 years took a break the last year to do adult hospice/Oncology. What I learned when kids say it hurts it does they haven't learned hypocondria yet...lol They dont kill your back and knees and they and their parents love you for making them better!!!! Boy I missed my kids!!! Unfortunately I do dying children as well so I had a well needed break. Sherri RN Kid At Heart!

Hey All, My first post so here goes!! I am located in Mobile, AL spared by Gustov Thank God now I have a generator that will take a year to pay for. It's a must on the coast though. New Orleans faired well all Travelers from what I hear have been sent home from areas with no power which is mainly Baton Rouge area. They are begging for more power trucks. The heat is nearly unbarable, you have to live on the coast to know how unpredictable these storms are. The command center was set up in Baton Rouge because they were thought to be spared. Mother Nature likes to play with the mind!! Power could be out for weeks. Mobile is full of evacuees just like with Katrina, just hoping the criminal element didn't stay here this go around, Katrina victims brought alot of criminals out of New Orleans. Anywho I'm suppose to travel to Louisiana next week for a travel assignment and I personally am praying for A/C and water. There is alot of damage my Brother is a Ins adjuster and will be in LA Friday to start inspecting the damage it is widespread. So many people were left uninsured after Katrina so pray for them!