Need advice for travel with Maxim or Intelistaff to the Tampa, FL area in January

[chickpea49]

I will be taking a travel assignment in January - I'm going to Florida with my 2 dogs to be close to where my parents have been spending the winter. I was a traveler in 1996/1997 and there were so many questions I didn't ask! Of course there were not these wonderful forums back then.

Wondering if anyone has taken an assignment in Bradenton, FL - and if you have, how it was. I would be in the ED.

Also wondered if anyone has traveled with Intelisaff or TravelMax, and what they thought of those agencies. I am currently working with Medical Staffing Network (who owns Intelistaff) per diem at home - so far I've been enjoying the extra money but have not been very impressed with the office's communication. From the beginning I have felt a bit like a piece of meat that they want to get out there so they can make money off of me. And when I asked about January in Florida I was pretty specific about where I wanted to be - and they send me high-pressure emails (these won't last long - sign up today!!!) with contracts well over an hour away from where need to be.

Maxim owns TravelMax, and also has local per diem and national travel assignments. I've talked to a local recruiter and so far have gotten a better feeling from them - didn't know if anyone had any input.

Thanks!!