lhrn1977

I am getting prepared to hopefully pick up a travel contract in California in late Feb/early March. I currently have applications submitted to Valley Healthcare, Emerald, HRN, Cross Country, and Trinity. Here are my personal pros and cons for each one so far: Emerald: Great pay rate and benefits but it seems like my recruiter does not have much healthcare knowledge. Good communication though. Cross Country: To me, seems like they have more access to teaching hospitals (which I prefer), but pay isn't all that great. HRN: What I like about HRN is that they have regional offices in California,so the recruiters are very familiar with their area and if I have any issues, they are nearby and not across the country. Plus, they do a lot of PRN staffing so if I need to pick up something in between contracts, I can utilize their database. Trinity: My recruiter has been vigilant and keeping in contact with me and always calls me back. They get their California jobs through AMN - so they have jobs with Kaiser, HCA, and Alta Bates. The rates aren't all that great...I'm guessing that it's because they are going through a middle man to gt the jobs. Plus I have heard that Kaiser tends to pay less. Valley Healthcare: Don't know much yet - just submitted an application this morning so we'll see! Does anyone out there have any feedback on these companies? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much for the advice EmergencyNrse! I am definitely going to contact more agencies and hold out for the best possible offer!

I have wanted to travel for a good while and have been debating back and forth for the last year whether or not to "get out of my shell" and just do it. I have been a nurse for 4 years (2 years on a PCU/Post-Thoracic Surgery floor, and the last 2 years on a Coronary Care Unit). Looking into going to CA, OR, AZ, or WA with my hubby and dogs. An ideal time for me to start travelling is in Feb/Mar of next year. I know that EVERYTHING has been slow. Recruiters are telling me that things are starting to pick back up, but I do not want to take their word for it! They are telling me that for my desired time frame, they will be notified by facilities around mid-Jan. Are any of the travellers out there seeing an upswing in needs? Is there a "good" time of the year to find assignments? I just hate to give up the option to renew the lease on my townhouse and end up not being able to get an assignment.

Well, I decided to take the plunge and become a travel nurse!! I have been nursing for 3 years. The first 2 years were on a cardiothoracic surgery stepdown/telemetry floor and this past year I have been working on a coronary care unit. My husband and our dogs will be travelling with me. We currently live in Florida and plan on starting off in California hopefully in Feb or March. I prefer to work at teaching facilities - Iknow that Cedars and UCLA are both teaching facilities - are there any others in the LA area? Which hospitals should I avoid and which neighborhoods should I avoid?