any reputable travel angencies?

BackfromRetirement · Jun 27, 2010

FiduciaRN, the Virgin islands dont pay much. Neither do some of the others. I almost accepted an assignment in St Thomas, but the pay rate was $15.00/hr. There are horror stories out there from every travel agency. I worked for 3 yrs for one agency and was very pleased. Later, I found out the agency was sued because the contract nurses did not get to take breaks and lunches in California. When you interview by phone, make sure breaks and lunches are guaranteed/written into your contract. Sharing an apartment with another nurse can be a nightmare, even if its free. Lifestyle differences can suck if you share an apartment. If you have a pet, insist the agency finds you a place where pets are permitted. Med-Surg jobs seems to be the most available, but nowadays travel opportunities are limited. Do a search online of agencies and what/where their openings are. I used my travel preferences to go to places I had always wished I could visit. Taking less was not an option.

vivacious1healer · Jun 27, 2010

Well, I can tell you to stay FAR FAR away from Emerald Health Care and American Mobile!

Both lied about the assignments, pay checks ALWAYS wrong, awful recruiters, and unexpected bill for apartment.

I love to vacation in St.Thomas USVI, which is where the main hospital is located, but it is a much different culture down there (men have little respect for women) and pay is for crap.

TennBSN · Jun 27, 2010

Travel nursing right now is a really difficult path to take. The jobs are VERY limited. The low number of travel jobs and the high number of applicants per job offer have made it really competitive. Many jobs listings come with stipulations, most of which require a certain amount of job experience. The hospitals require 2-5 years of experience in the area you will be working, some require previous travel nursing experience.

When it comes to travel nursing agencies all of them lie. Let me repeat that so I make myself perfectly clear. ALL travel nursing agencies lie. If you are searching for a good agency you will be searching for a long time. Since the travel nursing job market is so bad right now you need to look for the agency with the most jobs. Those agencies would most likely be AMN (a.k.a. American Mobile), All About Staffing (HCA hospitals staffing agency), and maybe Cross Country. You should apply at all three just to get a job. The ER will be much more difficult to get a travel job in. Med-surg will be easier.

Sorry I am sounding so down about the travel nursing. I am just being honest. I was a travel nurse for the ICU for 3 years. My last assignment ended last summer. There was few jobs and many applicants and no fun places to travel to. So I moved back home and got a job. It took me a long time to find a permanent position so don't give up your staff job until you have interviewed and have been accepted for a job. But, even then it can fall through. Just be cautious.

Simply Complicated · Jun 28, 2010

I did travel nursing for 2 years. I worked with a few different agencies. The one I worked with the most was Travel Nurse Solutions. I loved my recruiter, I had great housing (private) that was fully furnished, day 1 benefits, sometimes a rental car stipend was figured in. The thing I liked the most is she would just send me a list of available contracts when I was looking, and I would tell her who to submit me to. I liked that way better than "where would you like to go", and we'll see what we can find. The rate of pay would be included, so they tended to be more upfront than other agencies. Good Luck!!

Travel contracts are harder to come by, and the pay is lower now. But a specialty is a bit better than M/S.

Their name is TNS, her name is Brandy, but you can talk to anyone. I like that when you work for them, most people in the office know you when you call.

1-866-264-2943

Simply Complicated · Jun 28, 2010

Travel nursing right now is a really difficult path to take. The jobs are VERY limited. The low number of travel jobs and the high number of applicants per job offer have made it really competitive. Many jobs listings come with stipulations, most of which require a certain amount of job experience. The hospitals require 2-5 years of experience in the area you will be working, some require previous travel nursing experience.
When it comes to travel nursing agencies all of them lie. Let me repeat that so I make myself perfectly clear. ALL travel nursing agencies lie. If you are searching for a good agency you will be searching for a long time. Since the travel nursing job market is so bad right now you need to look for the agency with the most jobs. Those agencies would most likely be AMN (a.k.a. American Mobile), All About Staffing (HCA hospitals staffing agency), and maybe Cross Country. You should apply at all three just to get a job. The ER will be much more difficult to get a travel job in. Med-surg will be easier.
Sorry I am sounding so down about the travel nursing. I am just being honest. I was a travel nurse for the ICU for 3 years. My last assignment ended last summer. There was few jobs and many applicants and no fun places to travel to. So I moved back home and got a job. It took me a long time to find a permanent position so don't give up your staff job until you have interviewed and have been accepted for a job. But, even then it can fall through. Just be cautious.

I had the opposite when I tried to go back to traveling this last fall. Everyone I talked to needed ER nurses, M/S had so many nurses up for 1 position it was hard to get hired.

FiduciaRN · Jun 28, 2010

Thanks for all the advice. It was something that has piqued my interest since day one. The salary doesn't sound all that hot. I wanna finish my year out in the ED anyway, then that would give me about 2 1/2 yrs exp total. My biggest fear is losing out on pay since I work in the nyc area, plus I'd be terrified of what my accomodations would be. It is just a thought for now. I need a change bc I just don't like ny, never have. Thanks all!!!!