they don't tell you EVERYTHING!!!!

jessyjaneRN · Sep 26, 2006

hi, been traveling sice 2003 had three travel company all great for one thing or another. noe sucked just depends on waht u r looking for. TNS r great. depends on ur recruiter. if recruiter not good chage them. the provide car,housing free and great insurance

michelle00 · Oct 2, 2006

I am looking at two companies at this time, TNS and Trustaff. Both of these have good points, and the recruiters are very helpful, although I haven't decided yet on one or the other. Has anyone had any contact with these or heard of any?

Working for TNS now. Its my first assignment and everything has been as I was told from them. I like their insurance...BCBS with first day benefits....I did not take their housing as I felt I could do Better. Which I did...in Memphis, TN. Probably would check out rental rates if I were to travel again...It was interesting looking for a place on my own...They charge alot more for rental rates on short term basis..and I talked with corporate apartments and they typically charge min $1500 a month furnished with utilities...which wouldn't be bad if you had a friend to travel with you. Not sure if my rates with TNS are comparable to other companies...I had a friend who traveled with them and was happy so I went with them. I have since met a traveler with TNS who is contracted at my hospital who has been with them 2 years...I am looking to go to Nashville next so I may have to switch if they don't have a contract there....thanks, michelle

Cottage · Oct 22, 2006

I'm currently with Trustaff. They drive me crazy w/all the phone calls. Too many people to deal with. I would rather just deal w/one recruiter as my advocate. Couple other things, ask how much your hourly rate is after 36/hrs. Mine dropped to $12.99 (taxed) for the next four hours. Not worth doing overtime unless it's 20 hours of OT for one payperiod. Health insurance doesn't start day one, they never have the contract right, payrates and dates continously wrong. Just seems like nobody communicates there. With all that said, I do have two friends that are happy. Maybe I'm too picky. I doubt it.

Sylvia321 · Oct 28, 2006

Some agencies give an allowance for rental cars. GlobalRN and Bryan Healthcare do.. I know there are others but I can't think of them right now. Also, if you use a rental car any monies out of your pocket are tax decuctable. Global pays at least $35/hr (so I've been told) In the Bay area and Sacramento,CA pay is $40/hr and up with Bryan healthcare and a car allowance. All "free" apts should include all utilities. Paying even a portion of utilities is BS. Move on to another agency. For those who find thier own places to live, call around to various extended stays. They usually are nice and free local phone and internet connections come with the rooms. Plus weekly maid service and fresh lenens. Everything is always negotible (sp). If one doesn't give you what you want then move on to another. We are a commodity. The agencies need us to make the money for them....

cvryder · Oct 28, 2006

I am looking at two companies at this time, TNS and Trustaff. Both of these have good points, and the recruiters are very helpful, although I haven't decided yet on one or the other. Has anyone had any contact with these or heard of any?

I worked for TNS for my first assignment but changed companies after that. It wasn't that TNS treated me poorly (they were great) but they didn't have enough assignments where I wanted to go. I've tried to work with Trustaff but have had some difficulty gettng a recruiter since my original one left. I've done 3 assignments since with On Assignment and I'm quite happy with them.

rn1233 · Dec 10, 2006

Always remember you can negotiate your contract! Don't take the first offer and always compare apples to apples with other companies. Find a good recruiter who will be upfront with you....but you must be upfront too! Know what you want and ask questions. If the recruiter thinks that they can sucker you in, they will--it only makes sense because they will make more money! Don't be afraid to ask for another recruiter either, it can make all the difference. I've worked with Intelistaf and Millenia Medical Staffing. I've negotiated with several other companies and these two have out done all the others time and time again. You need to choose a company that works best for YOUR needs. Don't always go to a company just because someone else referred you, remember--they too get money if you sign a contract!

NurseguyFL · Jul 30, 2007

Hi all--
I would be really interested to hear about bad and good agencies to travel with. I haven't done it yet, but I'm definitely interested. Has anyone heard anything about Onward Healthcare? It looks promising, but after reading all of these posts, you just never know. I know that I need to do my research and ask all the right questions, but it would just help me to know what agencies to look into. Thanks.

Hey, NurseCyd,

This is an old thread, but I strongly suspect that the agency you're asking about is the same one the OP was complaining about. I suspect this because the things she mentioned sound very similar to stuff that company did with me also. You are right to be very cautious. They quote very high pay rates but what they don't tell you upfront is that they don't pay for most of your utilities, and their furished apartments are not really furnished. As the saying goes, all is not gold...

radio4433 · Aug 6, 2007

Hello,

I make sure to get everything in writing, even down to the brand of the rental car company. When I fly in at midnite for an assignment the next morning, the last thing I want to see is some high-school kids at the counter of Dollar rentacar and it takes me 2 hours to get my car. I always use Hertz and am a member of their club. Some companies balk because of the higher cost, but not all.

Bama Boy · Aug 10, 2007

There are several good companies out there. I traveled for 3 years and enjoyed it. The only bad experience I had was with Aureus Medical, they totally took advantage of me as my first travel company and stayed with them for year and half. Did not know until I got with a reputable company, Soliant Healthcare, how bad they did do me.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2007

Every travel company requires you to work a certain amount of hours to receive your housing and other benefits. It would be ridiculous for you to not expect to have to work 3 days a week to live in a free apt. If you think you can find an agency that allows you to work as few hours a week as you want and live in their housing free and use their health insurance, good luck searching. If you receive your contract and it says something you dont like, dont sign it and call your recruiter. Most instances they will amend the contract to your liking within reason. Say if you want $100 reimbursment for utilities, tell them so and 9 times outta 10 they will change it. The company makes more money off you than you can imagine. They would rather give you and extra $25/mo than lose your whole contract, esp that late in the stage of working with the hospital. You have to negotiate, I treat them like carsalespeople, until i get what i want.

I work three days a week every contract. Unless I want to work more by my choice. Everything is paid for up front by the agency- I don't pay for anything. I don't do "reimbursments."

There are really good deals out there- most of them from smaller companies.