jks_05

Hospitals definitely still use the PBDS. I traveled 2200 miles to my first travel contract last summer, went through hospital orientation, and had started orienting on the floor, only for them to say "Btw, you have to take the PBDS Friday. If you fail your contract is cancelled." Luckily I passed, but I know a couple people didn't and they sent them packing. It's absolutely horrible and now I always ask if the hospital requires it before accepting a contract. And yeah, it seems like I have to take some sort of competency test/internet learning modules at every hospital. They're usually a lot of the same questions and are more annoying than anything else.

I'm a new traveler, finishing up my 2nd assignment, just got my 3rd, and I have been with Aureus for both locations so far. They have been nothing but helpful and friendly to me. My pay is comparable to what other travelers with different companies make, so I don't feel like I'm being lowballed or anything. I do believe that each experience and opinion of companies will be different and widely varied, just because it depends largely on how well you get along with your recruiter! I usually take it all "with a grain of salt", just because I have heard bad and good things about each company I've signed up with! I'm also with Med Express (American Mobile), and just signed my 3rd contract with them. They have a lot of locations and most people I've talked to recommend them. I was working in St. Louis before starting traveling, so I know exactly what you mean by low pay in MO. I would be careful with the "guessing" with Aureus and make sure you get final numbers in writing before submitting or continuing on with them.

I worked in Tacoma last year and I loved it. Really any of those smaller towns in that area are great. Gig Harbor is beautiful. Bremerton is on the other side of the sound but a ferry ride away from the city. I've heard Auburn is nice, but seems like the traffic getting off I-5 onto that highway is ridiculous all the time.

I've heard Torrance, CA is nice this time of year.

positivethinker, there's no need to be so defensive and argumentative over something so juvenile. You asked a question, and Ned answered it. He just added an afterthought. Not a big deal. I, for one, appreciate the added opinions and as much information as possible from anyone, as I am a new traveler and am looking to expand my knowledge base as much as possible. I have also (recently) heard bad reviews of Sutter hospitals, but no one has told me specifically why they are so horrible.

Yup, I waited for about a month for my fingerprint card. Eventually I ran out of time and just flew to Sacramento. The whole process only took a couple hours, and I had my license within a couple days since everything else had already processed. Of course, about a week after I went to Sacramento, I got my fingerprint cards in the mail.

I have seen a few times now that getting written references is always a better option vs just giving recruiters phone numbers. It makes sense: you get to keep the reference for later use without bugging the person again, and you get to know that the reference will shed a positive light on you. I have google'd and searched high and low for a generic reference request form, but I've come up pretty empty. Does anyone have access to a reference/evaluation form? Do most travel agencies accept these types of references, or will they still insist on calling the person too?

Just put "Travel RN looking for temporary housing", then inside put a quick bio about me (clean, quiet, responsible, etc. good to add) and that I needed furnished housing, temporary/month to month, preferably with all utilities included. Must have wifi, cable is optional. Then said I'd be willing to rent out an apartment or a room in a house/apartment. Then I put the qualities I would be looking for in a roommate. Pretty simple and to the point, but making sure to put the big stuff in there. Prob wanna mention if you have pets or other people traveling with you.

Yup. I'm with Aureus and will be starting in Palm Springs in about 2 weeks.

^^^Yup that was me. Oops. But I'd imagine you know what I said ha. I ended up finding a small studio really close to the hospital. I haven't been able to Skype or see anything else besides pics, so the guy is being really cool and saying I can check it out for the first month and he can always fill it if I don't like it or find something else. It's a little more than what I'd like to be paying, but it looks nice and everything's included. Ehh... Def try putting up an ad yourself instead of just looking at the ones posted. My guy didn't have an ad up but saw my post and liked what he saw because he knows travel nurses are respectful and responsible. Make sure to put "travel nurse" in your headline too!

Also, def check out Craigslist for housing options, especially if you don't mind living with random people.

Hey!! I'm heading down there in the beginning of November! Ortho/Spine nights at Desert Regional! Let's exchange contact info!

I've been in Tacoma since July on contract, and I'd recommend it if you're looking to just get to the area to start out with. I work at St. Joe's and the people there are literally the friendliest, most laid back group of people I have ever worked with. I was in the MS float pool, so I experienced every med-surg floor and I don't have anything bad to say about any of them. At first I had a pretty bleak outlook of Tacoma because there's not as much to do here as Seattle, and the downtown and south of Tacoma areas are pretty rundown. However, I've since moved up to the North End and it's beautiful here. Safe, family neighborhoods, Point Defiance Park, Ruston Way, etc. The traffic is nonexistent, especially compared to Seattle. The only rudeness I've experienced has been with driving! If you're definitely going to settle in the area, staff nursing would probably be better. Their union contracts are awesome! The pay is about the same either way. I'm actually really sad about leaving here next month! I love this area!

I've posted my ad on Craigslist, and still I come up with the same thing. I wouldn't have a problem living with a gay couple or gay man, but most of the ads say "gay/bi man preferred", which is my problem as I am a straight woman ha.

Hi, Anyone headed to Palm Springs this winter? I'll be driving down the beginning of November. I am trying to find housing now and am coming up pretty short. I have found that most of the ads I look at are either single 50+ year old men looking for women, or ads asking for gay males for roommates. Since I'm not keen on the first, and I don't fit criteria for the second, I'm running out of options! Has anyone been there and know how the drive is from DHS or Indio? I might just end up taking the provided housing, but I know I'm going to miss the extra money, and I wanted to use it to travel!