LoriPRN

Me too, RNNetork. I have left them twice and both times regreted it. I am returning next contract and probably won't leave again unless there is a particular area that they can't get me. They are growing rapidly. All the travelers I know that are with them have been with them for quite awhile. Chrissy Pagi is my recruiter. She is a senior recruiter and the best to deal with. Good luck!

I travel with my just turned 5y/o. My husband and I decided that he would stay at home and be a home educator. So far it has worked out great! She is very advanced due to the one on one tutor. We frequent play grounds, swimming pools, beaches, where ever we go. If anything it has increased her social skills. She makes friends easily, everywhere we go. And she loves the travel! There is also an online private school, "lauralhills.com". You follow their curriculum which is a little more time structrured, but they graduate with a diploma. They do not take the GED like home schooled children. We have chosen home schooling for now. She is only 5 and we want more flexibility with our schedule. We may start the private school in a few years. Going to Australia for one year assignment first. Hope this helps.

Hi Steph, You will always come accross difficult personalities as you go through life. You just meet alot more of them when you are a traveler. I have learned over the years as a traveler to always approach each facility with a positive attitude. Kind, but firm. Remember, you are a guest in their hospital. We are not there to change the way they do things. You can make a suggestion regarding things you have seen in other facilities, but always remember you are there for a short time, they have been there a long time, and will continue to be there long after you are gone. I have had little to no problems since I learned that lesson the hard way. Hope this helps, Lori

I have been a traveler for 2 years. I am looking for a company that has decent pay with a wider selection of assignments. Can you give my any input about American Moble? How are they to work for? Is the pay competitive? Do they have many job opportunities? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Lori

I found a website, nurseworldwide.com that helps nurses travel to Austrailia and the UK. I am currently working with a recruiter for a contract in Beerwah, Queensland. The license process takes about 7 months. Hope this helps. Lori

I have worked for both Cross Country and RNNetwork. Beware of Cross Country! They sent me to a hospital that was under review with the state and about to be closed down for poor practice. I was told the assignment was 4:1 PCU and they stuck me on a med/surg in charge with 20 pts, one LPN and a CNA! And didn't pay me for charge. They sad as long as I worked my unit (PCU) once a month then the hospital was fullfilling their obligation. They also denied knowing about the state investigation, but several other Cross Country travelers that were already there said they had told them way before I got there. They too were also fed up with Cross Country. I have been traveling for while now and can name 10 travelers that would never travel with them again to any 1 that says they will. On the other hand I have traveled with RNNetwork and had a great experience with them on several contracts. I would travel with them again without hesitation. My recruiter was Chrissi Pagi, and I loved her. Very honest and supportive company. I currently travel with Clinical one because their benefits are more tailored to my needs. They are a great comapany also. Hope this helps. LoriPRN

:chuckle I will just give you a few words to describe nursing: TRYING REWARDING SECURE RESPONSIBILITY TRUSTED FLEXIBLE POLITICAL RESPECTED TIRING In a global market where the unemployment rate is up, yet nurses are in great demand, it is a VERY secure profession! Although there are some jobs that are more glamorous, nothing is more rewarding than a patient holding your hand and telling you what a difference you made in their life. To know you are a part of something good! Sounds corny but TRUE! My sister is a nurse as am I. NO REGRETS!!!! We would definetly both do it again!!!!!

Everyone will have different views on every company. I can only share my experience and a few of my friends. Remember that it's not always the company, but the recruiter. Sometimes getting a new recruiter is all it takes. My personal experience with Cross Country was poor. Their travel pay and housing fees were below industry standard. Many companies pay all your housing. Occaisionally their pay will be a dollar or so more, but the housing sets that off. Health insurance is only average also. They quoted me the job at $28/hr, but when I went to sign the contract it was for $23/hr. They told me they never offered the $27/hr. I would never consider a job for $23/hr! When I refused to take the contract then they wanted to bargain with the bonus the hospital was offering. This is from the hospital, NOT Cross Country. In the end they agreed to the $28/hr with the bonus. They said "Oops! We made a mistake on the computer. The job was posted for $28/hr when you interviewed for it, but it dropped in wages after you accepted". In my opinion, what was offered originally should remain that way. And I really didn't appreciate being called a liar! In the end I took the job. It is the only assignment to date that I have walked out on!!! And I have had some tuff ones. It was supposed to be a PCU with a 4:1 patient ratio. When I got there it was a "going to be telemetry unit". They were just waiting for the monitors to arrive any day, and would I mind helping them get it up and running. They said the ratios would be about 6:1. Reluctantly I agreed to help, but wish to remain a PCU nurse. Well, the ratios were 18 - 20 patients, 1 RN (me), 1 LPN, and 1 - 2 CNA's on a heavy medicine floor!!! And to make things worse, the State was there and had given them 6 weeks to clean up their act or they were going to close them down!!! Ofcourse, Cross Country denied any knowledge of this. They did not support me in any way. They told me because I worked PCU 2 nights, that is all that was required by the facility to fullfill their commitment. After 5 weeks of trying to negotiate a safer assingment with the facility, I had to take my license, pay $2000 for the housing (they kept my last check) and walk! But before I walked I talked with another Cross Country traveler that was in the ICU who told me that Cross Country DID know about the State problems prior to my arrival, because she had told them! It was a very frustrating situation! This is just one situation. Some people are very happy with them, some hate them. I personally travel with Clinical One and RNNetwork. but you have to find what is right for you. Get two or three companies and then make your decision. Hope this helps!

As a travel nurse you are an indpendent agent. The hospitals however post their needs with the agencies. The agency then offers the position to the nurses who have applied to them. For instance, The hospital I am currently at, DMC posted their needs with the agencies they have contracts with. It just so happened that my company was one of them (alot of companies have the same contracts with alot of hospitals). I was looking for a Telemetry or Step down unit contract in south Florida. They told me that DMC was posting needs in my area of expertise. I said great. Submit my profile to them. 3 days later they called me. 2 -3 weeks later I was working for them. My contract is about up and I want to stay in Florida, but want to go for the big money. My company said we have a job posting with great pay in north, FL at CMH, asking for a Step down unit nurse. I said great, submit my profile. They did. The hospital called me and I am starting there mid January. Is it protection? Well, they do have a clinical laison that is supposed to help resolve problems, but I have found that they usually side with the hospital. Anytime you walk out on a contract you have to pay back the housing. That is why it is important to make sure you interview the hospital carefully. Make sure it is something you can handle. Be confident in your skills. There is no union. Be careful that the job they offer you is not at a hospital where the nurses are on strike. You don't want to cross a picket line. It rarely happens, but is possible. Yes, my hubby and I both home school. Our daughter is very advanced. 4 years old and can add and subtract. Is learning to read. Travel has been wonderful for her. Only set back is social intercation with children her own age. We have to find every opporunity to take you around other children. Parks, activities, and local children. We will settle down when she get around 8 or 9. My love for nursing is in cardiac care. I gave up med-surg years ago. I like telemetry units, step-down units, and post angioplasty. Will work some low acuity ICU (no SWANS or Balloon pumps). There are needs in all areas of nursing no matter what your area is. Hope this helps, Lori

We have spent more time than I would have liked in south Florida. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, but I'm ready to move on. We also spent some time in the Ozark foot hills of Missouri. South east Missouri. It is breath taking there. We are on our way to northern Maine next. I heard that Aroostook medical center in Presque Isle is a nice place to work. I try to balance the regions where I want to go, the pay, and if possible feedback on the particular hospitals. Car trouble is always a HUGE stress. Make sure you have your car checked before you hit the road and have a good travel club. Spent way to much time in FL having my car repaired. Even with the warrenty it was a big hassle. Looking for a Van so little one will have VCR to watch on long trips. She uses her Leap learning center alot also. Being a stay at home dad was a big change for my husband. Although he likes staying at home with her, I have to be careful to not hurt his pride. If I'm mad I have a tendency to remind him how hard I work and how I make all the money. Not a good thing. I just have to remember that he is a man, and not used to housekeeping duties. If I leave him a detailed list of what to do it avoids alot of problems. All in all though, it is working out great! We love the travel so much, and there is always so much to do we don't have a lot to argue about. And we have been married 15 years! It depends on you company how easy your housing will go. I am still shopping for a permanent company. This is my first assignment with Clinical One, and so far so good. RNNetwork is also a good company. Stay away from Cross Country! They charge you for one bedroom housing. I almost always get my extra bedroom for nothing or next to nothing. Some companies charge quite a bit for the extra bedroom, but ususally if they think you will leave them, they find a way to absorb the cost. You will need the extra bedroom with a little one. There are also strict housing laws in some states where you travel. So make sure they don't charge you, or if they do it's not very much. I have a 3 bedroom house, 2 baths and a double car garage for $10.00/month with utilities paid! I travel as a telemetry or step-down unit RN. Make sure you know your skills and are honest with them on your skills check list. If you have a problem at a facility, you are held accountable to that skills check list. Most of my assignments are 13 weeks. If I really love an assignment and the area I will try to extend for a few months. Spent 6 months in Naples FL. It was FAB! Area and hospital! Finally I became a nurse 20+ years ago. I was a 16 year old mother with no ambition in life. My sister was a CCRN. Her and my mother pretty much forced me to become a nurse, and Boy am I glad they did! I love my profession. It is respected, flexible, secure, and most of all rewarding! I can't think of anything else I would rather do! I would recommend it to anyone! Hope this helps, lori;) :D :D

:roll It's a GREAT life! I have been traveling for about 2 years now and love it so much I sold my house and just live on the road. I travel with my husband, who is a stay at home dad and our preshooler. We are going to do home schooling for a few years. We'll settle down when she is in the 3rd or 4th grade. She is very advanced due to her travels. She has seen more in the past two years than most kids see in a lifetime. We use each new area as a learning experience. We are banking the money we save on expenses and plan to buy a farm somewhere in a few years. Great way to shop around for just the perfect place! Have to becareful about which hospital you chose but you learn that as you go along. 1 or 2 tought assignments and you learn what questions to ask. Usually if you have an open mind, it all works out. Good Luck!:cool

Do you travel alone? I travel with my husband so I'm not so scared of car trouble, but I have a membership with a good auto club. If you plan to stay in hotels along the way you might want to sign up with a priority membership with a particular chain. You usually get longer check out times, and cheaper rates. We have found Holiday Inn Express to be the cleanest and most accomodating for our pet. Be careful to not over pack. Packing and unpacking every 13 weeks can be a bit much. Especially when you live on the upper floors. Most of all just have a good time. I know you will. Oh, yeah, one more thing. Try to find out about a hospital BEFORE your company submits your contract. I found out the hard way. I look at it this way, I interview the hospital. They get a bunch of profiles and start calling the ones they want. That means you pretty much have the job when they call. That is your opportunity to find out about the unit. BE SPECIFIC! Don't ask what is the usual patient ratio, ask What is the maximum pt. ratio. Always ask about acuities. I took an IMCU job in Delray Beach FL without asking, and Oh Boy, did I make a mistake. Ratios 5:1. Tons of femoral Sheaths, art lines, and titrated cardiac drips, including drips such as Nipride. It's like have 3 ICU patients with a couple of extra Tele pts. thrown in. Ask yourself what you like and don't like about your current job, and then ask those questions of the unit manager. It is also good to post on sites like this one to see if anyone can give you feedback. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

I completely agree with Geeg. It is YOUR license, not theirs. Just ask yourself this, what would I say in a court of law. My sister is a CCRN as well as a Nurse paralegal. I am an RN also. I have heard to many of her stories about how the nurse takes the fall in the end. And there is always the moral issue which I think is what is bothering you also. Cancel all shifts! DON'T GO BACK!!!!!!

Has anyone done an assignment at Citrus Memorial in Inverness FL? Any feedback would be appreciated.

be aware of delray medical center in delray beach florida!!! i am finishing up a contract there and i am just glad to get out of there with my license!!! icu is average of 3:1, and 2:1 with a balloon pump! imcu is 5:1 with numerous titrated drips (nipride, cardene, lido, and just about everyone is on ntg, and more), art lines, and alot of ptca sheath removals! average for their telemetry unit is 8:1 with ntg titrated up to 50mcg! they are not over friendly with travelers. what little full time staff they have are so burned out on travelers all year that they just get sick of teaching all the time! i don't blame them! none of the current travlers are resigning, and some have walked out! beware! pay isn't worth it either!