Travel agencies for newbie travelers??? Need advice

[Lunalitsa]

Hello all, I will be traveling soon as a first time traveler and would like to get your input on any recommendations for travel agencies that are particularly "newbie friendly" or in general any agencies you would suggest or to stay away from..I know people ask this all the time on this forum, but needed some updated info..Ive looked all through this website and google and there are a million agencies to choose from! I have no idea where to begin! I have heard that new travelers generally have a hard time getting their fist time assignment, so I didnt know if there were any agencies that particularly like to hire new travelers...Thanks so much in advace!

[dorie43rn]

I'm a new traveler also and I'm using Medical Solutions, an up and coming company mentioned on Highway H. So far so good with them. The pay is good and my recruiter got me the exact place I wanted to be. I would like to try a bigger company just to compare them, maybe RN Network or something, but right now I'm happy.

[NedRN]

American Mobile and Cross Country are the largest agencies by far. That means you will hear more complaints about them than all other agencies combined. Just simple arithmetic and human nature. Who you don't hear from is the many thousands of long term travelers both companies employ.

My advice to the first time traveler is to work for just such a large agency, at least in the beginning. They have the most assignments and can select the appropriate assignment for a new traveler to get their feet wet. Yes, you may make less money, but believe me, that is fair for everyone. First time travelers are far more likely to run into problems and represent a larger risk to the agency and the hospital if things don't work out. For the new traveler, getting a good first assignment is worth less money.

Yes, American Mobile is the prime vendor for Kaiser - and has many subcontracting agencies. And it is true that Kaiser is polarizing for travelers (personally I enjoyed my assignments there but I didn't have to float). But Kaiser requires several years of travel experience so a new traveler will not be able to work there anyway.

Aureus is one of the worst possible agencies for a new traveler. Yes, like all agencies, they have some loyal and importantly experienced travelers. They take advantage of new travelers, sending them to crappy hospitals that savvy experienced travelers refuse unless the pay is very high, and significantly underpay new travelers. Aureus has a number of unsavory business practices and I really can't recommend them to any traveler.

I applaud Highway Hypodermics for creating a list, but any list is just a starting point, and it is helpful to know how the list is created. Epstein's list is heavily weighted by agencies that respond to a survey, and by the benefits they offer. Thus it is mostly comprised of larger agencies who have the marketing staff to respond to such surveys and who offer the most benefits on paper. Nothing about pay or total compensation, culture, assignments, or traveler satisfaction.

One more point for the beginning traveler. While the agency is important, many travelers find that the recruiter is even more important to a good assignment or career. Shop agencies, but try to get a referral for a good recruiter. If you really like an agency but not the recruiter, ask the manager to switch recruiters.

[NYCRN82]

[color=#cc66cc]luna, it's so funny that you posted this because i just joined this website today specifically so i could ask people about kaiser. i have never traveled before, i have 6 yrs icu experience, 5 of them in nyc as staff. now i am working with talemed, because they were rated so highly on highway hypodermics and because every question i asked my recruiter was answered in a competent and honest way. he even told me to sign with 2 agencies just so i could always find the assignment i want.

talemed staffs a lot of kaiser hospitals. i want to know if anyone has any specific experience as a traveler to kaiser.

[Mommish]

I think most new travelers find themselves wondering these exact questions (like myself!!). From speaking with several different recruiters, I've come to the conclusion that it's not the company so much as the recruiter. And with each assignment you take, you'll learn new things to ask/watch for with the next one. Happy searching!

[wanderlust99]

Don't go with AMN and don't go with Kaiser. Please.

I always pick the location I want and combine it with a specific hospital I've heard good things about on deciding where I want to go. I personally think that's the most important.

[Lauryen828]

Is it standard to have to be a Nurse for one year before you travel?

[NedRN]

Yes, and even more experience is better. This is a competitive market, and for some assignments you even have to have several years of travel to get to some hospitals.

[KevinM Recruits]

Yes, JACHO standard. Required regulation for most agencies to be certified.

[StrosGirl]

I just got my first travel assignment in NYC with RN Network. I was also in contact with CCTC about being submitted to this hospital and they said they wouldn't hire a first time traveler....well I got hired just fine! Make sure you are in contact with more than one agency.

[Lunalitsa]

Thanks everyone for your input, right now RN Network, Medical Solutions and Fastaff are the ones Im considering..Im thinking it'l prolly end up being Fastaff though..

[sweetgurly25]

what are they offering if you dont mind me asking are going to CA. because i am considering them as well for CA. thx

[OldnurseRN]

I travel with Aureus and have for several assignments. Have had NO problems with them. Now, some of the assignments were bad but the agency isn't. I get nice housing and good pay. My checks are always deposited on time.