ndnomsed

I realized, that after I submitted my comments about AMN, that I failed to note the other traveler's company who had the same job, same shift, and same credentials as I, but she was making $7.00/hr more than I. The company she was with, you ask? AMN! EmergencyNrse wrote, 'I have found when compared dollar for dollar most are in the same ballpark when it comes to wages...' One word: WRONG. Because I trusted my recruiter, and really dumbfounded when I realized how stupid I was to have not done my homework for this contract, I compared benefits of three different companies for the exact position I have, Med-Surg float. I went through orientation with these other two nurses, and we have kept close watch of each other, as being in a new city can get tough. I felt comfortable enough to sit down with them and write every benefit and expense that our companies afforded us. My company, AMN, was of course, dead last ... the company that compensated their traveler most was actually paying her, (when you compared dollar for dollar, including money reimbursed tax-free), thousands more for her completed contract than I. I will not put myself in a position for a lawsuit by mentioning companies and amounts specifically - as thorough as we tried to be, we may still have overlooked some items. So EmergencyNrse, if you are happy with AMN, you should not look elsewhere. I may have been the one who fell though the cracks. But, when I look back to examine and hopefully learn from my mistakes, I can't help but notice, THERE WERE A LOT OF CRACKS. I have traveled for approx. 6 years, and with the other company I used, I will say compensated me well. This time, I am going to chalk up as one of life's lessons and move on.

Let me give you some facts of my first assignment with AMN, (I am currently on week 9): I set up direct deposit with my bank, so when it was time to get my travel reimbursement, they sent it to a past address, although I clarified with payroll TWICE it would be directly deposited to my checking account; after my first week, I received a message from payroll, stating I was going to be charged for 'early move-in fees' when I did not move into my apt. early: Of course, they could not look at my move-in date vs. my start date; I had to call housing, my recruiter, and quality services to have the fees removed; week 3 was a message from payroll, that stated since they had to rent a washer/dryer for my apt, I was going to have $45/month deducted from my paycheck; I had to prove to them they were not renting anything, as w/d are standard with every apt in this complex; on top of those issues, by week 4, I was on first name basis with the hospital's payroll coordinator, because although only this hospital can submit my timecard, AMN would leave me a message EVERY WEEK for the first 6 weeks, that I would not be getting paid on time because my timesheet was never received. I would have to call my manager, who would call the hospital's payroll, who would say EVERY WEEK, the timesheet was submitted ON TIME, and AMN would say, EVERY WEEK, "Oh yes, we did get it, but it was late, so your pay will be deposited to your account on Monday, rather than Friday." The hospital's payroll showed me her fax confirmation sheets which proved AMN was lying about receiving them late - they were actually sent early on 2 of the 6 weeks. Last, but certainly not least, I was shown the paystub of another traveler working the same position, same shift I am working. The only difference between her and I, is I have more experience as an N. Oh the other difference? She is being paid $7.00 MORE per hour than I am! I am a committed RN; I signed the contract; and I will leave this hospital with a reputation of providing my patients quality care, and always displaying a professional, positive attitude. I will never forget this is a learning experience ... and, what goes around, comes around.