Travel with American Mobile?

NedRN · Sep 5, 2015

@ NedRN,
...", but knowing the upsides and downsides of working with different agencies is valuable. My general advice of working with several agencies is more work, but can lead to better outcomes even if just held in reserve."...
Absolutely agree, but there is a company called BluePipes that has a system that allows you to put all your paperwork in one spot and many Travel Agencies are accepting RN information through their forms... in this wise, one doesn't have to replicate paperwork over and over.

I'm familiar with Bluepipes. I'd be interested to know how many agencies accept their paperwork but I'll bet it is not a lot. Likewise, their business model is unlikely to attract lots of travelers at this point. More travelers sign up for "one application for leading agencies" at sites like RNVip but application only gets you dozens of agencies calling you - you will still need to fill out their application. Hopefully, BluePipes doesn't just sell or give out your contact info.

In any case, you have full choice of 400 agencies on your own, and once you have organized the necessary paperwork on your laptop, it is not that difficult to sign up new agencies. Many smaller agencies will accept other agency application, your own work history, and skills checklists (the best and least annoying skills checklists are available for free on PanTravelers).

..."One is that paradoxically, pay will likely be lower."...
Yes, the pay is lower unless one works in California (I'm guessing) but I think they probably still run a tight ship. Last year alone, the company has made a networth of about $300 million or so and their stock are work $30 a share, last I heard. They have been buying up other smaller agencies.

I'm not sure that you took that quote in context. Your comments seem unrelated.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2015

The one reason I haven't really pursued full application with several agencies is the idea of requesting multiple references. 5 agencies = 10 references often from the same people. I rather not go through that hassle especially given that I will stop traveling next year in order to learn a new specialty. I'll stick to who I have for now, it's only 2-3 more assignments anyway.

NedRN · Sep 7, 2015

You are not doing references right! :-)

Get written references. That will cut down on references being called perhaps 90 percent of the time. Often an agency will be able to verify that the reference works at the place of employment or if they can reach them, simply ask if they wrote the reference. Written references also avoids randomness from unintended parties who answer the phone. Best part is you know exactly what the reference said and have complete control over your professional portfolio.

Sometimes also, you will find your referee is unavailable anyway as many hospitals have a policy against giving references. There is a real potential for the hospital to be sued no matter if the reference is positive or negative (thus about all you can get out of them is a will/will not rehire). For some reason, this doesn't apply while you are still working there, but it is easy enough to call a written reference an evaluation, just make sure your referee knows that it is intended for external purposes of getting assignments and they will be more likely to focus on your positives.

I get several written references every assignment. I start as early in an assignment as possible, because if you are terminated for any reason, they can serve a protective function. I'll get it from charge nurses, managers, and directors (in the OR I usually have good access) and wait the two minutes it takes for them to check boxes and write one or two sentences. Don't trust your agency to give you a copy of the evaluation they receive, but get your own. There are several forms on PanTravelers available for free download.

Take charge of your own career!