fastaff agency

amy0123, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2008

I'm in a facility right now where the majority of the travelers that are there are from fastaff.

None have brought their families and dogs, however 2 of them are married and are away from their family temporarily. From what I was told, you work many hours a week (50 to 60hrs) and in a short amount of weeks. Just work and sleep. They live in studio apartments/hotels. Plus I can't imagine managing a family within that workload. You'll never see them.

I guess maybe your recruiter could accomodate you. Even if she does, the facility has the final say of whether they want you or not.

The facility you travel to might have fastaff expectations of a typical fastaff employee - and they could automatically make your schedule 48hours a week--- This exactly has happened to me --- AND I don't work with fastaff but the facility handed me 48hrs a week even after I told them I would rather do the 36hours a week as stated in my American Mobile contract!!@ So the situation with the nursing supervisor turned into "either take this position or leave it because we could do without you." And if you've come a long distance and are not ready to leave... then there isn't much choice.

I would recommend American Mobile or CrossCountry since they accomodate dogs, families and have great housing.. seriously

surething1 · Jul 22, 2008

The dog is something you would need to speak with the recruiter about. Surely they have a job somewhere they can accomodate the two of u and a dog they are a big agency. Standard contracts are 48 or 60 hours. I think your plan is awesome and will allow the two of u to save alot of my for the future. The companies the above poster mentioned are notorious for low pay. Fastaff is notorious for paying top dollar. I say go for it.

amy0123, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2008

I think picking a travel agency comes down to:

convenience of accomodations/great housing/average pay (American Mobile or Crosscountry)

-vs-

high pay/whatever they offer (fastaff, Onassignment).

This is basically what we've talked about on this assignment I'm in. The travelers I work with are from fastaff and american mobile and with all of their experiences this is what we agreed with. It's best to sign for one or two good travel agencies - one for high pay/tons of hours a week and one for a truly enjoyable travel experience with normal work hours/average pay.

ttbird1 · Aug 26, 2008

Hi,

Currently, I am taking the steps become a travel nurse. I have applied to both RNNetwork and Fastaff. When I spoke to the recruiter with Fastaff, it was apparent that their pitch was all about the money. I did not really get a feel for the type of company RNNetwork is. The recruiter was very friendly. Can anyone tell me about their experience with the company and its contracts?

Thanks.

okrn0824 · Aug 29, 2008

I am a traveler with fastaff and just finished an assignment in Philly area. Fastaff is all about making you the most money possible. I worked 60+ plus hrs a week for 8 wks. They have a contract with Extended Stay America's which has a small kitchen. The one next to the Philly airport is horrible and close to nothing. So I ended up finding a Days Inn in Wilmington, DE which was on 10-15 from the hospital and it was near everything and anything I could ever need. I would say it would be hard to travel with two boxers staying in a hotel but some of the positions are 13wks in which they will put you up in an apartment. Just talk with you recruiter. if you or anyone has any other questions please fill free to ask!

pamelakrn, MSN · Aug 30, 2008

I work with RN Network and they were great. I was a staff nurse in Mississippi and I went to California for the Summer (13wks). My family came along with me and the company was more than happy to work with me to make everyone comfortable. My recruiter was the BEST!! If you need anymore info just message me!

Pamela

:up:

loricatus · Aug 31, 2008

I am a traveler with fastaff and just finished an assignment in Philly area. Fastaff is all about making you the most money possible. I worked 60+ plus hrs a week for 8 wks. They have a contract with Extended Stay America's which has a small kitchen. The one next to the Philly airport is horrible and close to nothing. So I ended up finding a Days Inn in Wilmington, DE which was on 10-15 from the hospital and it was near everything and anything I could ever need. I would say it would be hard to travel with two boxers staying in a hotel but some of the positions are 13wks in which they will put you up in an apartment. Just talk with you recruiter. if you or anyone has any other questions please fill free to ask!

What specialty are you that you were able to find a Philly travel postion with fastaff & how did you like the assignment?

I have only been told about Peds related ones being available there. Would love to take a short term assignment in the Philly area & know of a couple of extended stays much better than the place near the airport.

okrn0824 · Sep 1, 2008

They have numerous in the Philly area and also right inside NJ. I was at Crozer Chester Medical Center in Chester, PA just south of the airport. I stayed in Wilmington and it was great. Chester will be needing travelers for a long time so give fastaff a call!

loricatus · Sep 1, 2008

They have numerous in the Philly area and also right inside NJ. I was at Crozer Chester Medical Center in Chester, PA just south of the airport. I stayed in Wilmington and it was great. Chester will be needing travelers for a long time so give fastaff a call!

Thanks. By any chance did you work in the ER & could tell me a little about how it went?

redladybird · Sep 6, 2008

oh, I like this thread.

I just started traveling this summer. I 'interviewed' about 10-15 companies before I narrowed by search down to 2-4. I did not approach it like they were interviewing me -- after all getting 10 calls a day from agencies makes you think you are pretty needed. If you go into with that approach I think you get more.

Here was my experience with different agencies:

1) RN network. Liked the recruiter, flexible, good pay, did know know the bay area well, got me an interview fast, did not have many contacts outside of kaiser in California. Did not choose them.

2) Trustaff -- Loved the recruiter but talked to her after I had already interviewed for a position I liked. She was a senior recruiter BUT then next week I got a notice that she was not longer with them. Bad sign.

3) Fast staff - all about the money -- want to make it simple, want 48 hour committment, want to put you in an extended stay. Kind of fast and dirty money. Not that this is not bad

4) Access nurses - ewwwe. Was reccomended from a friend but was SOOOO pushy I almost hung up. The guy INSISTED he know how much I was making now. I said -- that is really irrelevent I know what I need to make at my next assignment to take it". Insisted he talk to all my references before he told me about any jobs he had. Whatever! When you have others salivating at you feet you dont need this. My refs were great but I did not want 10 companies calling them. I wanted to decide who intersted me first and then pass that info on. Totally pushy, will never work with them.

5) Preffered Health Care -- part of american mobile. This is who I went with. Known for giving average money but my assignment offered a lot. Let me travel with my dogs. my recruiter never said no -- she said "Ill try" and she got it everytime I asked for something. Got me an interview and offer quick. Was totally up on any problems/concerns. Had tons of assignments that others did not have. Gave me lots of travel money (2700 miles is a lot of gas). They are a big company and seem to know what they are doing (most of the time).