Michi66

I'm considering extending my contract for a month, but that would make me work in SoCal for 1 year and 1 month. The first 5 months were at a hospital in Orange County, and the rest 7 months are at a hospital in LA County. Another traveler said you ju...

think of your carbon footprint! And being "bi-coastal" sounds so pretentious, I think.

Thanks guys! Unfortunately it wasn't what I wanted to hear :). It's POSSIBLE to commute from Long Beach to Santa Monica, but not a life I want to live, even temporarily (although sure would've saved a lot of money). I have met people who are local bu...

No, I was in long beach and now in LA

Is the staffing office at the hospital helpful? Are you able to make yourself "available" for another shift later on in the week? What does your contract say about stipend refunds after the hospital canceled you? I had the same issue at UCLA (they ne...

I have United's Bronze HSA100 and it's about $228 (going up to 240 next year) a month. It's pretty much catastrophic insurance but I guess that's how much it costs nowadays! I'm 32 and healthy. My home is in MO and traveling in CA and this plan cover...

I was also submitted by 2 agencies for my first assignment and it wasn't a big deal at all. If it's a good offer, go with the new agency (yes definitely dump the old one). If you want something else, keep looking!

I also have a house at home but am renting it out (doesn't make up for all of the mortgage, but about 75% of it) (I have always had roommates). I just signed a 3rd assignment for 48hrs/wk, nights, floating in SoCal for a crazy amount of money ($3000/...

Hi all, looking for any wisdom more experienced travelers can offer... I'm finishing up my second assignment in SoCal and am looking to work closer to Los Angeles. My current agency says they're working on being contracted with UCLA and reactivating ...

I mean, I don't really know what to do if that's what they want. I don't really mind filling out the stuff. Gives me a chance to update my resume. And I can't recall but I think the company I'm with now asked it right away. What's the worst outcome w...

Ned: just found out this agency does not accept written references. Luckily a nurse I barely worked with at my old job 9 months ago who is now charge nurse and just gave me a good review as my second ref. But yeah, it is a pain. Also, I specifically ...

In St. Louis even the big hospitals start you off at about $20-22/hr, so like $35K/yr. As a traveler in med/surg/tele I feel like I can make $60-$70K/year and pay less taxes (in SoCal at the moment) with only 1.5 year experience, so yes, definitely m...

I'm a Canadian citizen and have been on the TN work status before. Have you tried looking into that? It's pretty much a work visa but they don't officially call it that. I think if you have the proper documentation (perhaps your agency can provide it...

I'm with FlexCare at UC Irvine. I did not see any jobs with those other big teaching hospitals (not Long Beach Memorial, or would've jumped on that) when I was receiving job referrals through them.

If you're really set on day shift then I would wait for more assignments to pop up. Agencies always push you to take the first assignment they offer because they're all pushy and want to get you started. I'm a tele travel nurse and most positions I s...

My first assignment was in San Anton with TNAA and had a good experience. They paid on time and had good extra shift bonuses (although I only worked 1 extra shift). I feel like the pay was about the same as the other quotes I received. Switched agenc...

No need to be scared!! Recruiters are good at intimidating you into taking their packages and going with their company, but the bottom line is that they need you more than you need them. Just tell them you're trying to get advice. They cannot penaliz...

my first agency offered great and affordable insurance for my husband and I. My second agency's plan is outrageously expensive so I bought still pretty expensive private insurance that's crappy. If good insurance is important to you just ask the recr...

My first contract had a clause saying I have to be able to work within any Parallon facility within 25 miles of the hospital I contracted with! I was worried but it was a required clause apparently. My own unit was so short staffed that I only got fl...

Hi all, I'm on assignment in SoCal and my contract states something like "california law mandates two 30 minute breaks, you agree to waive the second break." Which was not a big deal for me. Used to it! It's a couple weeks into my assignment now and ...

I'm a fairly new nurse on my second assignment with a med-surg/tele background. The first hospital I worked at was a smaller community hospital and for the most part, had lower acuity patients (damn Observation Unit). First travel assignment was on a...

I am switching agencies between assignments and am currently uninsured (I know, illegal!). The cost of insurance with United was about $360 per month with my first agency (in TX). The second agency is quoting almost $1000 for me and my spouse (assign...

Are there a lot of these Epic conversions going on? My staff position was Epic but first and second assignment are not. I really miss Epic!

I'm currently looking for a travel position (it'd be my second) in the Los Angeles area. My recruiter has sent me quotes for some jobs that are categorized as "Rapid Response" and are paying $500-$800 more per week than the other ones. When I asked h...

I'm a med/tele nurse so not as specialized as OR, but here's my experience and opinion. I started traveling after a year and 3 months experience, not sure if I would get a travel position. Nursing is a second (and lower paying) job for me too, and I ...