LauraOckwig

What company do you guys suggest?

I think it may depend on the agency, but it is my understanding that you need to have worked in the unit in the last year.

I would dig deeper with your recruiter tell them what your frustrated with etc. If they can not help you anymore do some more research with other companies. I agree with everyone you have got to be comfortable with your recruiter.

Kaiser can be tought to work for. Just know the first two weeks are always the hardest with orientation and adapting to the floor. Kaiser does float a lot. Good luck.

In this business you have to look out fo yourself.

The hospital could be paying less, some hospitals in the bay area tend to pay less because of their reputation. Other pay great. What kind of housing are you doing?

Yes tell your recruiter, h/she may be able to have some advice for you.There is no given that your travel job will turn into a staff job. I extended at a hospital for the last 10 months because my recruiter knew I was looking to stay put for a while, and told me that the hospital I am at extended alot. Good luck I hope it turns into a staff position for you. You will love CA.

I agree, just be honest with them. You have to look out for yourself and do what is best for your career.

Look at Health Career Web, that might have some information you can use.

What are your guys thoughts on psych.... are you happy with it?

Is there anything more specific you need help with? I agree ecah company is difefrent bad and good in diffrent ways.

As I'm just starting out, I have a bunch of questions for travel. Stipend for travel vs. take home. I've read from here that stipend is non-taxed. However, someone mentioned going to the IRS.gov site and mentioned something about conus and perdiem and such. What does that even mean? (I know nothing about taxes). And, then, is the stipend something I can take with me if I don't use all of it? I am not really sure what you are trying to ask but stipend is non-taxed and it set by the government. The stipened changes depednign on what county you are in. Since the money is tax free I always take the higher stipend and do housing and rental car on my own. For me it is really about making as much money as I can. Do some companies even give you insurance? Or, generally, are you responsible for getting that on your own? Most companies do but the plans are not that great. Will a company pay for your place to live without me having to go look for it? I read so far that the places they would put you in tend to suck for where your location is. Like, "30-45 minutes" from your workplace. That true? Am I just better off finding a place on my own? I say find your own place, somehting you are comfortable with. I am particular about where I live and don't want a recruiter picking out a place because it is the cheapest. How likely is it that I can get a travel allowance? Some posts say they don't. Some do. Which is more common and how much should I be expecting? Or, is it different based on where I travel to? Each company is differnt. Some do some don't. If you dont get a travel allowance you will get paid more. Do I need to get my licenses before I get the assignment, or do I get the license after I've been accepted? Or, should I just get all the licenses I need for each state before I start applying? They are expensive, decide where you wnat to go first and then get that lic and apply in that state. Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

Ask the hospital you are working at what they reccomend. They always know of places, that their travelers stay at.

Never heard of them...let me know your thoughts.

Go with a smaller company where you can you build a relationship with your recruiter. It is hard to find a job and some times med/surg takes a long time, but if you cant find a med/surg job in CA, I think you are wokring with the wrong company.