Ready to start again in January...

Everything slows down right about now. Hospital HR and managers think about the holidays and stop worrying about staffing so they are hard to get a hold of, so agency staffers give up trying and think about their own holidays. First or second week of January things will start popping with pent up demand and catching up on things left undone for three weeks in December.

I've been an L&D nurse at the same hospital for the past 18 years. In January of 2009 I took a leave of absence and did a 13 week assignment in Maine. Had a great time (other than the weather!), but the travel market somewhat crashed, so I decided to come back home and put my travels on hold until I could see another upswing in the market. I originally signed up with approximately 6 different agencies and have gotten cold calls from these agencies for the past 4 years on a regular basis. NOW, I have committed to travel again in January (I have to complete some certifications that will expire in Feb & March before I take an assignment), so have spoken to 3 different recruiters. They were gung-ho when I called with potential start dates....all three have dropped off the face of the earth. Have I decided to commit at the wrong time? Or have I just chosen to deal with the wrong people?

Fastaff has had a lot of high paying L&D jobs posted in the past few months...

That makes sense...It would be nice if they at least said they'd get back with me after the holidays. I actually had one recruiter leave a voice mail on my home phone (I was outside and heard it ringing, but didn't get to it in time), and I called her right back...as she said she had a potential position I might be interested in. I left a message on her voice mail asking her to call me back...nothing! That was over a week ago.

Thanks BluntForceTrauma! I checked out their website and they have some great postings...submitted an app...lets see! I will let you know how that goes :)

OBnurse, I'm also an L&D nurse and have been in the same place for the past 10 years. I'm actually working my last day right now and am going to Phoenix for my first assignment after the holidays. I was worried that it was going to be hard to find a job since I havn't traveled before. I had two different companies working for me, but one couldn't get me an interview. With Trinity I submitted to two facilities, got two interviews, and two offers. My recruiter has been very attentive, if you'd like her info just PM me.

I think I have to be a member of this site a little longer before I can PM? Or maybe I just haven't figured it out LOL! Can you PM me? I am interested!

Hi fellow L&D Nurses. I will be traveling in April. I am very excited to get started. Planning on signing up with Fastaff and Valley so far. Have Ca. License and KY. Which is compact state. Worried about the testing though.

What kind of testing are you concerned with? I took an online basic nursing exam through RN Network when I did my travel assignment 4 years ago...I was more concerned with medications, since we basically deal with antepartum, labor and postpartum drugs. I just had a medication book with me for reference, like I would have on the floor if I needed to administer a medication that was not familiar to me.

Hi Holistic!

Can't respond back to your message, but have been in contact with your recruiter :) Don't think she's going to be able to find a position that fits my needs this go round...but maybe when we get back from our Italy vacation in April! Thanks for the info...she was very sweet and did a bit of leg work today! I gave her your name :)