SKynardRN

Hello All, last time you heard from me I was like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get my first assignment. I am happy to report that I have nearly completed my first assignment, a 12 week in St. Louis MO. I also just landed my 2nd assignment, 13 weeks in Apple Valley CA (very excited!) For the first job I took the supplied housing. We have stayed in a StayBridge Hotel suite and certainly the agency pocketed big off it. So this assignment we decided to take the stipend (---- besides, who could resist staying in a cabin on Big Bear lake for the fall/winter??? ) another plus side was that there is a little left over to pocket. My biggest concern is taxes. Is housing stipend given as tax free? And if so, is it REALLY tax free, or am I going to end up paying big for it later when I file taxes? All advice welcome, if this has been answered in another thread please point me in that direction. thanks Sarah

I am with them, just got my first contract in mo haven't started yet, but I have a nice agent so far so good.

OK, I have been offered a contract in St. Louis at the university hospital. Pay rate isnt great, but I may just take it to get something under my belt. I wont get the contract until tuesday since it was a holiday weekend and I interviewed friday evening. If anyone has ever worked in St. Louis please share your experiences....

yeah, I understand what you are saying. But I dont think pretending that I am not bringing my family along is the best option for me... I am upfront about it, because I fully intend to bring them. If I am unable to get a position because of it, then travel nursing may not be the best choice, and I will end up moving on. The 2 agencies I am with boast on their websites that they are happy to accommodate for family and a pet. I understand that if I wish for an extra bedroom in the provided housing I may have to pay a fee, or that I may have to pay a pet fee, I have no problem with that.

tango, my recruiters are aware i intend to bring my family, but does that make it more difficult to land a position? I wasnt aware that the hospitals knew either way

OK so while I am waiting to even land my first travel job, if anyone has traveled with their family please share your experiences!!!! I have 2 kids (age 6 and 3) a hubby and a Pug dog that plan to go along with, hubs plans to home school our oldest child while he finishes his online degree. My friends and family range from being supportive/encouraging to thinking we are out of our minds. Any advice welcome...

thank you everyone for the advice and words of encouragement!! I am still having my agencies apply me to jobs, no more interviews yet. this week I was applied to positions in MO and WI, I have branched out of just applying in CA even though I have already gotten licensed to go there. I am REALLY trying to hold out and get that first position under my belt before I just give up on travel nursing altogether, my recruiters have also said that a lot more opportunities open up when you get that first job. I hope that is true.....

I figured that was part of the problem, so I have told my recruiters that anything walkthrough will do to get some travel experience under my belt and theb maybe go to ca later. I have been submitted to mo and wi jobs this week, still waiting to see if they interview me...

OK, I posted about this maybe 2 weeks ago but I am still boggled. Trying to get my first travel job--- I intended to be leaving in June, so my agency started looking for jobs in mid-May. Its been over 6 weeks and STILL NO JOB!! I have been submitted to probably 10 jobs or more (between my 2 different agencies), only had 2 interviews that bottomed out, Then I pre-screened with a job in san-fran and a few days later was told they hired perm staff. Is this typical for travel nursing? I am terrified that once I finally get a position and complete my first assignment, I will be stranded somewhere with no job for my next assignment. My experience is all med/surg float (I do oncology/trauma/surg/ortho/neuro/pp at my full time position with 2 yrs experience) This week I asked my recruiter and she said that there is a lot of competition in med/surg areas so its harder to get a job, and that when you are a first-time travler its hard to get a job. Is that true??? I am very close to giving up on my desire to travel. thanks, s.

thanks larnie, I am glad to hear it isnt abnormal for it to take this long...I guess I am surprised because other people I know who have begun traveling got a position within 2 weeks. I really havent been picky about what I am willing to interview for, I have been open to the whole state of CA and even any westward walk-through states. Pay rate isnt a huge deal right now, just trying to get my feet wet and get out there already!

Thank you! that is good to hear. did you find that after working the initial position that getting assignments was easier/quicker?

Any advice welcome!!! I have been working as an RN for 2 years now. I am a "floater" and work all areas of med/surg and also Post Partum at a 500+ bed teaching hospital. I am BLS/ACLS cert. My husband and I have planned for me to begin working as a travel nurse now that I have the "required" experience, and we want to travel the country for 1-2 yrs and him to homeschool our 2 kids while he finished his degree online. I thought I have gotten all my ducks in a row: researched, signed up with an agency ahead of time, acquired a license to work in CA in advance (as this is where I would like to go first). I am with 2 different agencies (American Traveler and Intelistaff) and my two recruiters have been job searching for well over a month now. I have been submitted to multiple jobs, and have only had 2 interviews. One job they chose an applicant with "more certifications" and I am still waiting to hear back from the other. Several jobs I was submitted to have not even called to interview me??? I have even allowed myself to be submitted to other states, and still no progress. Is it normal for it to be this difficult to find a position? I am feeling hopeless and disappointed. My recruiters are often hard to get in touch with. I am worried that when/if I do find a position, will it be this hard to find the next one? I dont want to be left jobless and stranded. Feeling extremely discouraged as this is my "dream". Any advice??? thanks, sarah