Submitted with one BUT accept with another

NedRN · Jul 25, 2017

Too late now. You have to shop around before interviewing. You are locked into this assignment with the first agency. That said, after the hospital agreed to use you, you have some significant negotiating leverage with this agency, especially if you are willing to abandon this assignment. Ask them to match or better (or come close) to the other offer. If you walk, they make nothing as some other agency is likely to fill instead.

I would compare both offers using PanTravelers calculator. Use the total pay number. Some offers may only look better making you look foolish when the recruiter looks at it.

Print out both calculations and be prepared to send it to the first agency. Phone negotiations are difficult when discussing multiple compensation components unless you are on the same page - literally!

TREC96 · Jul 25, 2017

Hey thanks for the reply!

I broke it down it was a difference of $234 a week. The first company is Fastaff and would not budgeí ½í¸• I've learned a lesson don't be so quick to be submitted! Is it normal that Fastaff won't negotiate? I've negotiated with other companies before. It's only a 3 week assignment so I won't be salty for long.

NedRN · Jul 26, 2017

Fastaff is a funny company. They tend not to be responsive until you are already working or have worked for them. They are notorious for not returning calls. They are a rapid response company and generally pay better than most agencies. So they are unlikely to want to budge. Is the difference really worth it for three weeks?

I'm a little surprised someone else is paying significantly better - I'm sure everyone here wants the name! Usually the opposite is true.

I won't go into all the dynamics of regular staffing which includes variable rates depending on need, and working around agency contracts to rapid response companies for travelers. It gets complex. So I can certainly see how things can go both ways. Fastaff has a fairly high gross profit margin, so if another agency gets the same bill rate, they could afford to pay you more.

TREC96 · Jul 26, 2017

I love to share valley medical staffing is the agency. It's for the solar eclipse in Oregon. Your right for 3 weeks it's not worth the hassle or possibly burning bridges over "$234" a week. Lesson definetly learned! I was being eager beaver. I'm waiting for crisis rates in Cali, do you know why kaiser changes rates mid contract? Again thank you for your advice!!

NedRN · Jul 26, 2017

Valley is a very good agency. In a lot of organizations, there is a clear setting of culture from the top. A current negative example in the news almost daily is Uber. Valleys CEO (self titled "Chief) is highly ethical and treats everyone fairly including pay. I often mention them here primarily in the context of California assignments. Never really thought of them as high paying (other than those great California rates) but that is good to know. Newer travelers are more likely to get a good recruiter with an agency like Valley, which can alsoi be very important to even experienced travelers.

I've not heard of Kaiser changing rates mid contract. But such moves should never affect a current contract, only future ones.

A tidbit of possibly useful info: Kaiser has a vendor manager: American Mobile. All agency contracts go through them. Perhaps the most useful intel is that a uniform contract means all agencies are getting the same bill rate. So when you know there is a vendor manager involved, you can shop around and be able to truly tell which agencies run on lower gross profit margins - meaning more of the bill rate gets passed through to the traveler.

NedRN · Jul 26, 2017

By the way, you can certainly discuss switching agencies with Valley and see what they say about it. A thousand bucks is real money. They may decline to to spend any of their good will with the hospital for a three week assignment. Kind unethical business practice at best.

Switching agencies does happen (although rarely) but is even less likely if there is a vendor manager in the middle.

If I were them, my pitch to the hospital might be that Fastaff submitted you but is no longer talking to you. If that is true anyway.

TREC96 · Jul 27, 2017

Ugh Ned I could kick myself for this! I shouldn't have thought Fastaff was the highest paying! I sucked it up and just went with them and have learned a VALUABLE lesson! 1. I didn't want to come off as sketchy to Valley so next assignment if there is something I'm considering I'll call them first! Oh Aureus just told me what they are paying! I feel nauseatedí ½í¸© Is it okay if I post it here?

NedRN · Jul 27, 2017

Sure! I wouldn't care what Aureus pays, no way I'd work for the agency well known to be the worst in the country, at least for travel nurses. They treat allied OK.

TREC96 · Jul 27, 2017

Really!!? Wow good to know! The break down was 70/hr for the first 40hrs 105 after 40 work weeek is 48hrs/week per diem 245/week then $800 travel reimbursement. Hospital is providing housing total of $3885/week gross. Now that you say that I don't feel so terrible. Do you work strikes?

NedRN · Jul 27, 2017

No, it lowers my income and self respect. The latter of course is less important.

TREC96 · Jul 27, 2017

Okay understandable, they are recruiting hard for one in Northern California. I'm not a fan of working 5-6 days in a row... the winter rates for L&D are crap with kaiser I'm holding out for something really good!