RNx352008

First, let me apologize for the punctuation of the February 24 post to all readers. I'm not sure why it looks like that and unfortunately I can no longer edit. Julie, so sorry this happened to you. The glitz and glamour of travel nursing is not all it is cracked up be. My previous assignments. including the one I eventually landed were wonderful. In fact, all of them have asked me to extend but I wanted to move on. I even visited Hawaii last summer though the pay wasn't great. Unfortunately, though I'm interviewing more and more with companies and having to turn down assignments becase they have unrealistic expectations and I refuse to kill myself for a job. I do Home Health and the charting is time consuming. And most companies hate to pay overtime. So no, I will not see 10 patients a day and be up till midnight charting. That is not safe and you cannot provide quality care. I've just finished an assignment that left a seriously bad taste in my mouth. Management was awful, no organization, lack of communication, unsafe and unrealistic expectations. They had their nurses seeing up to 15 people daily. Insane. They liked me but fired two of the other travelers while I was there. This assignment has me wanting to call it quits. I think travel nursing was rewarding in its day. But like anything in this day and age, companies including the staffing companies we work for have found a way to benefit themselves at our expense. Ned RN, had some really great suggestions in earlier posts here. I definitely would be leery working with your staffing agency after two cancellations. Hopefully, you and your kids are in a safe place and the next position, an even better position is starting soon. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Yeah, was afraid of that. I don't want to settle but I need something soon. Will negotiate and see what happens. Thanks for the advice. Nova Pro is under Cross Country so they have the same job offers. I will check into Nurses PRN.

Hi all, I have been traveling for 1 year next month with Nova Pro Staffing mostly on the West coast. I came back to east coast and they did not have as many jobs. I applied to 3 other agencies including Cirrus, Supplemental, and Advantage RN. Today, I received an offer through Supplemental in NC but it seems sketchy. With Nova Pro the base pay, per diem, and housing stipend were separate. My recruiter with Supplemental is quoting me "$15 taxable hourly rate + $123 per day tax free (7days per week) = approx. $1266 weekly after taxes This comes out to about $36.50 per hour." This amount is supposed to include housing? The area is Charlotte housing is lower but that seems low. On my previous assignments, I was getting 4,000 or more monthly and didnt have to worry about the hastles of finding housing. Plus, there was mileage reimbursement to and from assignment. Anyone who has worked with this company or has advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance

Hi I am currently traveling with Nova Pro​. I am also working with Core Medical and Advantage RN. There are jobs out there specifically for Home Health. Look for companies that list HH in their specialties. I have found its very difficult to obtain your first travel position because most companies want experienced HH/Hospice travel nurses. Having an Oasis background is huge. I looked for recruiters that have an understanding of HH and will try to get me decent pay. That being said HH explosion is still new and ER, ICU, and L & D are still highest paid. My present recruiter really has no clue the amount of paperwork I do off the clock and intricacies of HH like wounds, IVs, Trachs, SOCs, etc that can make an 8 hr day turn into 14+. It took 12 months for me to find my first position and it was almost a disaster (see my previous post). Currently finishing up my second assignment five weeks to go in Hawaii. And in last two days, have had my regular recruiters plus several new ones call asking where I'm interested in going next. It seems I'm now considered experienced. I am still learning the ropes and how to negotiate. Other veterans like Ned RN can offer the best advice. :) But hope this helps.

happy to report a positive update! so my prayers were answered, i woke up tuesday and received a call for a phone interview with another hospital just 1 hour north of the original location. this was one of the hospitals that originally passed on me last friday. so i was very surprised to get this call. i contacted my recruiter at nova pro who was just as shocked. but verified that yes they did want to hire me. and they want me to start this monday 2/27. and while on the phone ironing out this contract my recruiter gasps and says, "you're not going to believe this?! just received an email that the job that cancelled you wants you back!" they need help after all." to which i said, "no thank you!" although, others have pointed out i should have taken it and then told them i changed my mind at the last minute. however, i think karma has been served. i am being reimbursed the $600 plus my hotel stays (8days total). and my recruiter with nova pro has been great. she really stepped up to the plate. she also appreciated that i didn't curse her out after all as others have pointed out this is beyond their control. but i have requested a cancellation clause for future assignments. she truly felt bad for me. and tomorrow, (one week from the original date) i'm moving into even better digs: a two bedroom beautiful furnished cottage by the lake. the housing coordinator approved a two bedroom because she pointed out they appreciate all i've been through. plus, i have my best friend that has been hanging with me through this whole ordeal and kept me grounded. let me cry on her shoulder and provided advice, encouragement, and laughter. along with all of you who have given me insight, advice, and encouragement to keep at this dream of travel nursing. god is truly awesome! thanks to all for the encouragement and prayer.

Thanks Ned RN. I honestly would prefer not to sue or go thru the trouble of finding a decent lawyer. I just want recoup what funds were expensed for this trip. And I'm hoping Nova Pro will honor that. We will see. I do have 2 other recruiters from different agencies who I contacted last week looking for other assignments the problem I find is that they sometimes get the exact same assignments and I can't have them submitting me multiple times for the same position. Further, frustration is that even though I do Hospice Home Health. Meaning, I go to patients homes/ facilities and assess and perform skills. Home Health companies seem to think Hospice nurses don't do anything I have had to explain this ignorance to my recruiters. Not all hospice patients are imminent receiving only comfort meds. As nurses we still do wound care, phlebotomy, pca pumps, ports, foleys, etc until they show signs of being imminent they are alive and we care for them. The prognosis is 6 months to a year sometimes longer. Even if they have a DNR they can revoke and get higher level of treatment. And sometimes we have to 'graduate' people who surpass the time frame of their prognosis or just recover. Basically, 'Congrats you didn't die but unfortunately we have to discharge you.' We refer them home health if they're applicable. Not to mention the emotional aspect of dealing with the patient and helping them to deal with their mortality but assisting the families of these patients as well. I have had to utilize more skills then I ever did in a hospital because you work autonomously. There is no Tech when I need to clean the patient up because I still have labs to draw and the aid already came and went for the day. It's all me. And I have a background that includes critical care Telemetry-Step Down and ER. You don't forget how to be a nurse! Ok I'll get off my soap box but seriously that ignorance kills me. If Temp/ Per Diem work is available I am definitely willing to do that in the meantime. So here's hoping it works out. Ned RN, I honestly appreciate your advice and hope you know that your kindness and consideration to assist me means more to me then I can say. Thanks doesn't seem enough but I pray your kindness is rewarded. And also others thanks for taking the time to respond. It truly helps to be informed and have options. And for those that are reading this please, please learn from my example read every nuance of your contract carefully. And remember, ultimately this is a business and as pleasant as your recruiter/ interim nursing manager they are not your friends. As mentioned, I'm hoping to post a positive update. Stay tuned.

Thank you everyone for the great advice. It's all very helpful and I was able to find friends to stay with here in Ca. I'm planning on looking for a local agency Monday. Ned RN, thank you so much for your advice. I was not aware of the many avenues and organizations you suggested and I will definitely look into them. And no, there was nothing in my contract regarding a cancellation clause so I will be addressing that with a lawyer.This was truly a worst case scenario I didn't plan on but perhaps it was needed in order for me to have more insight if I want to continue to pursue travel nursing. Hopefully, will be posting a positive update in near future.

Sorry about format I attempted several times to paragraphs but it keeps going back to one big paragraph.

I need some advice regarding my situation. I waited 12 months for the right travel opportunity to come along. I scoured this blog, read 'Highway Hypodermics' and 'Hitting the Road.' Read every travel nurse article regarding dos and dont's of travel nursing. I'm a hospice nurse so I looked for recruiters that would work with me and find opportunities. Just when I was going to give it up and just work for my company locally in Virginia. I received a call back from Nova Pro regarding a Hospice position in Auburn. I did a phone interview with this nursing manager on a Friday asked her all the appropriate questions including her census which she said was at 50 but they desperately needed someone to start as quickly as possible. She even asked me personal questions so she knew I was single and headed very far away from home. Spoke with my recruiter who stated they were really impressed and wanted me but were concerned b/c I didn't have a license. I told my recruiter that if the hiring manager really wanted me I would fly out there and apply for the license in person. If it would get me the position I would be willing to fly out there.(I'd been on Short term disability due to a broken wrist so I had a lot of time) My recruiter called me back and said she really wants to hire you so I bought a plane ticket to Sacremento for $500. Rental car $200. I flew out there to get license. Was told by agency we will pay for part of expense but that didn't happen. Received call from my recruiter they were really impressed and hired me to start this upcoming Monday 2/13/12 . I had a month out till I could began position plus was awaiting license. Placed my two week notice with my company in Va. My coworkers were very supportive. Both my recruiter and this manager knew I was driving ACROSS COUNTRY for this position. I received a call on Monday 2/13/12 from my recruiter confirming I was on my way and making good time. Finally, received a decent housing apt that they found also Tuesday 2/14/12 along with address.( Starting to feel real). Received another call on Tuesday 2/14/12 stating that they were going to have me start on Tuesday 2/21/12 b/c Monday was a holiday.... On Wednesday, 2/15/12 morning I received a call from my recruiter that the nursing manager stated census had dropped and they were cancelling my contract. I was in Arkansas at the time. I continued on b/c I think I thought maybe it was an error or she would have a change of heart when she realized the plight she put me through. Plus, my recruiter stated they had other opportunities in Ca and having covered that distance I was really not in a position to turn around. Originally they said they would try to get ne at least 2-4 weeks but they couldn't get her to budge on just cancelling the contract. I spoke with the nursing manager myself and didn't receive an apology until I stated thats what I was looking for. She just reiterated she debated the decision but can't justify having a travel nurse! I'm angry because I spoke her three times since I interviewed was assured they desperately needed me. How can they just break a contract like this?! My recruiter states there is no recourse apologizes but I'M out of at least $1,500 and Nova Pro hasn't offered to cover me for anything but the standard $600 relocation fee which she was supposed to be getting back to me about wiring but she's left for the day before that was done. The furnished apt is no longer available I was supposed to be resting my head for free but now I'm shelling out another $100 for a hotel room! They didn't even offer to cover my expenses till I brought it up! I'm not sure what to do. I'm not in a position to pay the $600 plus in gas and lodging to head back to Va. I called my other recruiters but they have to submit me and wait to hear back. Already was passed on by two positions since yesterday. I'm so disheartened and sick to my stomach. This was my very FIRST travel assignment! I cannot believe this has happened. Has anyone ever had this occur? Anyone been in this predicament? Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.Thank you

Hi, I'm researching too for a first time travel position. And after speaking with other travel nurses they stressed the importance of being comfortable with your recruiter and assignment. Do more research and look at other companies. If it doesn't sound right , it probably isn't.

Hi All, I'm looking into Home Health/Hospice Travel nursing this fall. To my surprise, there is actually several travel positions in this field in multiple states. My background includes Telemetry and ER. Has anyone done travel nursing as a home health/hospice nurse. What was your area/state? Any problems with safety? Did you have to use your own vehicle? Were you reimbursed for mileage and phone? Were you expected to be on call or work weekends? Any particular agencies that you used? Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.