Published May 25, 2014
altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN
459 Posts
Looking for recommendations on travel agencies for NPs. Also anyone any experience with any suggestions would be great !! Thanks !
Psychcns
2 Articles; 859 Posts
I have been doing locum tenens for 3 years. I only working with staff care because they have come through with the jobs and all my credentialing is with them. I have had good interactions with Barton and Advanced Practice. You might look on the All Nurses travel nurse sites for tips etc. I have had mostly good experiences with jobs, lodging etc. The recruiters only know what a facility tells them about a job. I had a big surprise once where the job was not what I thought it would be but it worked out OK. it is helpful to be aware of politics and work flow. You are there to do a job. PM me for more info if you want or ask here. I like the drop in nature of Locum tenens at this point in my career and I have been able to do good jobs at all my sites.
Thanks so much Psychcns !! I appreciate the feedback.. I just may PM you for questions :)
nursetim, NP
493 Posts
I had issues with staffcare and housing, big issues. Barton was good and I like weekly pay checks.
Thanks nursetim !!!
@nursetim. Can you tell us about the issues. I am looking into a spot in Salem OR and I try to think ahead about the housing when possible.
In about 8 staff care assignments over 3 years I had two suboptimal housing situations. In one case, i found another place to live and in the other I stuck it out and it wasn't terrible. My last housing was a 3 bedroom luxury lakeside condo for myself. (The space was nice)
Staff care subcontracts their housing and it can get disorganized but I have found them responsive, so far.
Missy89
135 Posts
One of the biggest regrets I have as a bedside RN is not doing travel nursing. I graduate in Dec with my FNP and looking to relocate out of Florida to another state next year. How much experience do travel agencies look for for NPs? Aldo how have your experience been traveling? I'm single with no children...
They like experience but they also want to place you. Some places count RN experience. Why not call a few agencies and ask? Staff care, Barton, advanced practice. These are the agencies I think are OK but there are lots of others. I remember a post by a new NP who staffed an urgent care place as a locum tenens and loved it. I talked to a lot of agencies in the beginning.
As far as my experiences traveling, i find it stressful for about 2 weeks, getting acclimated to a new location and being oriented to a new job. Once I settle in I am fine. I try to do the stress reducing things. Sleep, eat properly, yoga, swim, etc. i try to find people to connect with. Once I am in the swing of the job, I tend to like it but I do find those two weeks stressful. PM me if you want. Best wishes.
NPskywalker
7 Posts
I was told by some NPs (who have no locum tenens experience) that it is a bad idea to do locum tenens as a new grad and it is better to get a normal NP job for at least a year. It's discouraging to hear, but I am still hopeful.
Is it feasible to land a locum tenens job as a new grad NP? Especially if I apply to longer term positions that are 6+ months to a year?
If anyone started locum tenens as a new grad, I would love to hear about your experiences.
I will be graduating in May 2015 in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care.
ryguyRN
141 Posts
Why would you want to start locum tenens as a new grad even if you could get the job? Most places will expect you to hit the ground running once you start, I would imagine no orientation period. But I guess thats something you could try to negotiate. Good luck, let us know how it works out for you.
No I'd never do that as a new graduate.