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I started with Host Healthcare and they were really nice and good at explaining things to me. But, it really probably just came down to the fact that I had a good recruiter, so just find a good recruiter for your first assignment!

I wouldn't recommend Trusted for a first time traveler because you pretty much are on your own and won't have a dedicated recruiter to talk to if you have questions. And yes, they do take a while to get things done compared to other companies that have recruiters. It takes longer to get my applications submitted to facilities but when you submit, you can put your available times for an interview on the form. Most of the time, you never know when the managers will call, regardless of the company. Once you get a travel assignment or two in, then I would consider going with Trusted. I like that Trusted has their rates posted up and you just apply to the jobs without the hassle of going through recruiters. They also have the best paying jobs so far, but that comes at a cost (no recruiter, no travel stipend, not much reimbursements for certifications/uniforms).

I have used PPR/Medical Solutions, Host Healthcare, and Trusted Health. They have all been good. If you're just starting your first contract though, don't go with Trusted because they won't hold your hand like the other two companies I listed.

Just another input...would love to have a desk/workspace area...especially if a significant other works from home while traveling with RN. I'm actually really surprised that not many units furnish desks and office chairs. And given today's world, it could come in handy. Blackout curtains for night shifters are a plus. Travelers who take the stipend, which is the majority of travelers, normally will book their own rental and sign a lease with the landowner. If you want to be pet-friendly, yes a backyard would be nice. Personally, I don't use a tub anymore...but I guess if you have a pet, that would be nice? No housekeeping..but would be nice if you supply renter with all cleaning supplies so that they can keep the unit clean without having to go out and buy everything.

It was not a requirement at the time of contract. The agency just recently told me that the hospital is changing requirements for ALL hospital staff to become PALS certified, and that would include me. So, since I have a week to get this done, I decided to just find a class and study up. I was eventually wanting to get this certification...Up until yesterday, I didn't know I'd have to get it done in a week is all!

First time traveler and almost two weeks after I signed a NICU contract, I am now told that the hospital/agency is requiring me to be PALS certified. They want me to get that done in a week, although I start in two weeks. This was not what was required at the time of agreement, and I am not ready to try to find a PALS class and become certified. Has this happened to anyone before? I think it's very unfair for them to change the requirements after I have already signed the contract and found a place to rent, etc. Thoughts? What can I say? Do I just try to get it done? I'm not exactly sure what the consequences are if I don't, but I'm guessing I would be replaceable.

Well, that makes me not want to say anything to staff! Sorry that happened to you, but thanks for letting me know. I will really have to watch what I say around others

I have good people skills and competency. I don't think I would be terminated for anything performance based..but who knows? And my finances are OK, so I should be fine. I'm just planning for the worst. It's just that planning my housing and paying deposits and rent and driving there seem so time/financially consuming just to get cancelled for some reason.. that's why I wanted to know if there was a way to avoid this or get some reimbursement. But, it is true that for the most part, it is just time consuming to do all that work for nothing!

Is there a way to add a clause in the contract to protect yourself in the case of having to cancel for unsafe staffing, family medical emergencies, etc. without penalty? Or, if the hospital cancels and you already paid for your own housing, drove to the city, etc...to get reimbursed for your money? Or, is this just a part of travel nursing? Let me know if you have put any clause like this in your contract, please! I'm just nervous about getting or having to cancel a contract.

I'm currently looking for my first assignment and do not have kids, so I'm not the best person to ask, but I think that would be a great opportunity! From what I've read on these forums, travel nurses with kids that homeschool really enjoy it and like being able to show their kids new things/cities. Plus, your husband is a stay at home dad, so that makes it 100% easier! As long as your kids and husband are on board, you have enough financial cushion for your family, and you like your specialty, I'd say go for it! Plus, pay is decent (from what I hear)

Wow! Great info! From what little information that I have read, many are against it because they say that the hospital can just fire you a week before your contract ends so that you won't be able to get that bonus. Great tip on adding the bonus into the hourly pay, but I'm not sure if my recruiter would do that for me as this would be my first assignment. I'm leaning towards a higher paying location, rather than the lower paying location with the added completion bonus. I think it's just too big of a risk for me, and I certainly do not want a hospital terminating me just so they don't have to pay me my bonus. Plus, if a hospital offers a completion bonus to attract travelers, I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to work that particular hospital?? That part kind of scares me too..

Yay or nay? What strings are usually attached and should these assignments be totally avoided? And I'm talking about a big bonus >$5K. Also, how do bonuses factor into pay packages? Let me know your experiences! Thanks!

Thanks for the info!

Hello! Can anyone give some information as to what kind of patients you get assigned to when you travel to a level 3 NICU? Mostly feeder growers, critical, level 2?? Any additional information would be appreciated. Thank you!

In case people are still wondering. I just got a job in NWA area and with 2 years of RN experience, I am starting out at $23.78/hr.

I have thought about this as well, and you do make a good point that it would be better to specialize now before becoming a travel nurse..in case it raises red flags. Thanks for the advice and I plan on specializing now for a couple years and see how it goes from there.

Are you saying it will be harder to travel and then stop and specialize after having been a travel nurse? Or, harder to specialize in a new specialty as a travel nurse? And, how would it be more difficult?

Thanks for the insight! I am leaning towards specializing in what I want to first and then maybe travel later in my specialty. I am terrified that I may end up miserable traveling in med-surg, since I don't particularly like it. I just hate to specialize/work in a new unit and then up and leave in a year or two to travel, but I'll see how I feel in the future.

How is med-surg travel nursing? Would you specialize in an area that you are more interested in and then go travel nursing? Right now is the best time for me to travel, but I am not very fond of med-surg and am looking to specialize in an area of interest. Just wondering what your thoughts are?

If the pay is not acceptable to you and you feel like you're getting low balled, just don't take the position. Also, maybe it's time to look for a new recruiter? There are so many other options out there for you! And to post a new comment, there is a "Leave a comment" button towards the bottom of the page.

I'm about to travel and at one year, I kept questioning myself if I had enough experience. Now at two years, I am glad that I waited because I have gained more experience and confidence. I feel like I am able to handle more compared to when I only had one years experience. I am also now working float pool, so that really helps me gain confidence in working with different units/patients. That second year takes away the doubt that you had =)

OMG I wish I could!! But somehow I always end up with junk mail and they are mostly credit card offers, store promotions, etc..and I don't know how to get rid of them? And, I definitely don't want credit card offers sitting in mailboxes. Otherwise, I do everything else online. I just can't seem to get rid of junk mail

Besides, I'm too paranoid that some mail will end up not getting forwarded long after I have left a residence. It's nicer just to have all my mail go to one place and not have to worry about mail still being sent to an old address. And, it's just too much hassle to change my new forwarding address every (potentially) 3 months.

Honestly, your experience sounds more like intermediate/step down care/telemetry. Those were the kinds of patients that I had on a tele/cardiac/med-surge floor and granted, we were more like a step down tele floor. That said, I'm not quite sure what ICU nurse entails, but seeing that your patients are like mine on a tele floor, maybe you would be more comfortable working on an intermediate/tele floor if you really want to go traveling now. Otherwise, you should go get some experience at a big teaching hospital ICU first if you are not comfortable traveling as an ICU nurse yet!

Thanks for the post as well! I was talking to them and they seem pretty sketchy. I won't be signing with them either!