ahoppen

Can you PM me? :) The more information the better!

So I'm looking to start my first travel contract mid-January or early February.... I've been talking primarily with three different recruiters. One from TaleMed, one from FlexCare, and one from Cirrus. They aren't awful recruiters by any means, but there's been inconsistency with all three. Cirrus has been the best at getting back with me, but I had to ask MULTIPLE times about benefits before she sent me information, and the entire process with her hasn't been very educational. This will be my first assignment and she acts like I already know what I'm doing and isn't seeming like she's going to help me much with housing at all... The lady from FlexCare talks over me whenever I'm on the phone with her (she talks A LOT) and basically sent me all kinds of information and then disappeared for several days, I had to email her after multiple days of attempts and tell her I was going to look into talking to someone else before she finally got back to me. Overall though I think she's been the most helpful, albeit slow. TaleMed has been the worst by far. They were rated top agency on Highway Hypodermics so I wanted to give them a shot, and all the people I've spoken with there have been so friendly! But I got with a recruiter, she sent me things to fill out, and I told her I wanted a list of locations and a benefits package because obviously that would all be important in my decision. Well I STILL haven't gotten anything about benefits (she says it has to come from HR...its been a week...) and she sent me a list of locations but no pay packages. I emailed her multiple times asking about this, and benefits, and never heard anything. She calls me a few days after to tell me she hasn't forgotten about me, that she's just been busy, tells me she'll get me the pay packages that day....She ends up sending me ONE pay package for ONE of the locations only, the next day. So I call them on Friday to request a different recruiter, and the guy I talk to defends her in every way and feeds me BS answers about "well generally we don't offer pay package info until we get ready to submit you...," then I tell him she did send me one... Then he says "maybe she only sent you the one pay package because it's Colorado and all of them pay about the same," which I know isn't true, because after I talked to him she sent me multiple pay packages the next day, all with different rates of course. Then he proceeds to tell me "well maybe she didn't send the pay packages because we haven't received your application yet" which I had already submitted online AND I had already filled out everything she had emailed to me. This entire process has been going on for about a week, and it took her that long even get me any pay packages. So needless to say I'm feeling extremely discouraged. I need to talk to someone who understands I'm new and can make things go as smoothly as possible. I told the TaleMed guy, I'm dragging my family across the country for this, I need to be with someone who gives me information straight and in a timely manner, and I feel like a lot of this has been convoluted or something. Am I being impatient? I've never done this so I don't know how long a window this emailing back and forth takes, but I expect a reply if not the same day at least next day. Is that too quick for some people? I could be in the wrong here. Any ideas appreciated! And if you guys have any recruiters or companies that you're in love with, send some info my way!

Argo, what do you think of Grand Junction? And why stay away from Pueblo? Is it a rough area?

Well, I have a friend who lives in Colorado Springs so I would like to be closer to her (Pueblo), although I wouldn't mind driving to see her on days off. But for me personally, good city and skiing would be nice. I would like to be at a decent hospital as well, as I don't mind commuting for activities. :) I know the money won't be the best, but I bet it'll be better than anything I'll make here in Georgia! I hope this helps a little bit. At the end of the day I'm traveling for the experience of traveling, sightseeing with my husband, etc. but I would also like to expand my nursing skills so being at a hospital that's hopefully well put together is a plus. I know that won't necessarily always be a reality, though.

In my current job, I am surrounded by (mostly ) wonderful coworkers who would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. I have an outstanding manager who genuinely wants the best for all her staff and would do anything for you, and I have many, many sweet patients who are appreciative of the care I give! Currently, I am looking to take a travel position, and I am blessed to be in a profession that will allow me to travel, a life-long dream of mine, while still making money and making a difference in the lives of others. It is SO much easier to be negative than positive, especially when you're a nurse and our jobs are so stressful and difficult, physically, emotionally, and mentally. This was a great idea for a topic, so thank you!

Yeah, I don't know. I was surprised she didn't because she said that she would. So far I haven't really found anyone who has consistently answered ALL of my questions in a timely manner. I hope this is an isolated incident because otherwise she seems really nice. I work Med/Surg-Tele or Step down, depending on where they want me. I've had more experience in Med/Surg.

Hey guys! So working on getting my first assignment...I've spoken with multiple travel agencies and haven't settled on a particular one yet, but these are the options TaleMed is offering me. No information on pay packages just yet. What experience do you guys have with these locations and/or hospitals? Any advice appreciated, good or bad! TIA! :) 1. St. Mary's Medical Center – Grand Junction, CO 2. Pagosa Springs Medical Center – Pagosa Springs, CO 3. Parkview Medical Center – Pueblo, CO 4. Community Hospital – Grand Junction, CO 5. Swedish Medical Center - Englewood, Colorado 6. Medical Center of Aurora - South in Aurora, Colorado 7. North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colorado 8. Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado

Hey guys! So I've decided to do some travel nursing, I'm super excited!! And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also terrified! I have some general travel nurse questions I would be so happy if I could get some advice on!! The recruiters I've talked to have been very helpful, but sometimes it helps to get the perspective of someone who actively travels or has traveled. 1) What are your favorite things about traveling? 2) What are your least favorite things? 3) What travel agencies do you recommend, and which ones should I stay away from? (Thus far I've talked to Cirrus Medical Staffing and FlexCare Travel Nursing - Cirrus has better benefits BY FAR but FlexCare has awards for being an awesome travel agency, etc). 4) I plan on taking the housing stipend, but am unsure of the best way to find lodging. What are your recommendations? 5) Do you find that the hospitals that you work at are mostly friendly/welcoming and helpful to travelers? I've heard horror stories about how permanent staff hate travel nurses/mistreat them. 6) How do I know if I'm getting a good pay package? Cirrus is offering me about $1450/week for Colorado WITH the housing stipend (haven't heard from FlexCare yet d/t the holiday), and of course I still have to buy insurance. I guess those are all my questions for now. Any and all advice is appreciated, even words of wisdom that have nothing to do with these questions. Thanks so much guys!!!! -Hopeful travel nurse in Georgia

You can only work as a travel nurse in fields you have experience in, you can't cross train and travel. The only experience I have is med/surg-tele and step down. So I'd have to pick assignments from those two. At least that's what I've been told from everyone I've talked to.

Just getting back on here and seeing all these replies. You guys seriously rock. :-) Thank you so much for all the advice and support! After much much discussion, tears and frustration, Hubby and I have decided to go for travel nursing. All the particulars haven't been decided on yet, I'm going to post another thread asking for general advice/information regarding some questions I have related to travel nursing, but we've decided we'd both like a break from trying to get pregnant and would like to do something for ourselves. TMI, but we've had issues with fertility for the past two years and we've been so stressed that we just reached a point where we wanted something different! I dont know know how long we will travel, as I do still plan on getting my NP and he'll want to settle down and work eventually, and of course we want a family, but I'm only 24 so we have plenty of time. :-) It was really tough making the decision to hold on babies for a while and throw caution to the wind and go travel, but I think it will be good for me. I need to sew my wild oats before a baby comes along I suppose!!! And if it means I'll be stuck in med/surg for a little while longer, I've made peace with that. I do have some step down experience and was considering asking if I could go that way instead, but I can hold off on cross-training if it means I get to travel sooner. Thank you guys so much again!!! If you see my other thread with my questions, feel free to drop by! You guys are awesome!

Hey guys, It's been a while since I've posted here, and I really need some advice from fellow nurses on this one. It'll probably be a longer post, so bear with me. SO. I currently work on a Med/Surg floor at a wonderful (albeit small) hospital. I've been here for over a year and previous to that I work Stepdown/Telemetry. My long term goal is to become a Women's Health NP, and am currently in school towards that, still doing pre-reqs though. I have always, always, ALWAYS had a burning desire to travel. If I stay in one place for too long I get restless and have this crazy wanderlust about me. It's pretty strong to say the least. So a little while back I submitted a form online to get some information on travel nursing, since I didn't know much about it other than it generally pays pretty well and it's a good way to see the country while making a living. I talked a recruiter and got some general information, but since I told her I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do, we haven't talked further. Here's my dilemma...I'm married to an amazing guy who is also in school currently, he's almost done with his degree, maybe a year or so more...no kids yet but we WANT kids. We've actually been trying for a baby for the past year or so, but have had some hardships in that department and are considering taking a break should we decide to travel for a year or two. I'm only 24 so age isn't a factor in that department. But I'm having a really hard time making up my mind. As I said, traveling is almost imperative to me. I get so much out of it, I love having new experiences and growing as a person, and the idea of getting to work in different hospitals and learn all kinds of new things excites me as well. But we REALLY want kids. I don't know why I feel so impatient, I have so much time. Probably because hubby and I have been together for a long time and I've always wanted a family. Also, I really don't care for med/surg too much - was actually considering cross-training or doing an internship in Women's Health if I decide against traveling, because I know I won't be able to do anything else if I travel. I guess I feel like if I'm seeing new things and having awesome experiences I won't mind the med/surg part so much, because I'll always have something to look forward to on my days off, exploring new places and all. And I worry about school, because I don't want to be in college forever - although I have plenty of classes I could take online. I worry about the financial part....I have some debts I'm trying to pay off, will this travel nursing thing provide enough income alone to support my husband and I, AND be able to pay our bills? I work weekend nights and make about $30/hour average right now. I worry about being away from family...even though I know it won't be for the rest of my life and I can still come visit them. And also they're not very supportive which makes it really hard....they'd rather me just stay in Georgia. How does travel nursing work in the time off department? Do you get PTO? Or vacation/sick time? ANYWAY. Those are just some of my main concerns. But I feel like in my heart I need to do this. I've never really done something of this caliber for myself, and I feel like it's really important to get this out of the way before we have kids. But I'm so impatient to start my family! What do you guys think? I know this was totally too personal and more of a stream of consciousness. Hubby is all for this adventure - and excited at the prospect - but it scares the hell out of me! (Although thrills me at the same time!) Any opinions on all this mess would be greatly appreciated! Or any general information about travel nursing, as I don't really know TONS about it. I just feel like life is pulling me in a million different directions right now, and I don't know where to turn. Figured it would help to get it off my chest. Thanks in advance if you made it through all of that!!!! -A very conflicted nurse in Georgia