Wife and I traveling to CA for first travel job HELP!!!

Specialties Travel

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My wife and I have been RN's for 3.5-4 years and are getting ready to head to California at the end of this month. Her experience is in Med/Surg tele with emphasis in open heart recovery stepdown, my experience is in SICU but also have worked in neuro and med ICU. Just a little nervous as we are traveling from WV to California to start this crazy adventure. Is there any advice for a first time traveling couple? We are going with fast staff and are planning on residing in the northern california area. Are there any hospital's we should absolutley stay away from or areas we should avoid for work or any advice from someone who's been in the same boat. Appreciate any info.

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im traveling with someone else too, stay away from american mobile.do your research!

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first travel assignment in california right now, its almost over in about a week, excellent choice to goto california but very different from different states

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

What Co. are you with, where, re-newing contract, return there, what Hospital and anyathing you will share. May PM ME is desired. I would love to head there.

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Specializes in ER.

I have been traveling for 6 yrs, the best thing I can say to you is be flexible and don't get involved in the Hospital's drama. You are there to take care of pts, enjoy the area and have a wonderful new experience not change way they do things. But mostly, have a great time, remember to get eveything in writing from the hospital, you company can't back you up if it is not in writing.

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Specializes in Hospice, ONC, Tele, Med Surg, Endo/Output.

If you are going to any Kaiser in Northern California prepare to work till you drop right off the bat, and good luck trying to get to the bathroom!

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Regarding Kaiser- Its ANY Kaiser, not just Norcal. Im at Laiser LAMC and your just their little puppets, lol. Anyhow, I am in So cal now for travel, but I am from the Northern California area- what kind of info are you looking for??

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

Never heard a nurse say anything good about traveling to Kaiser. Nurses that work 12 hrs may work in 4 different areas. How is that good nursing having to change assignments each 4 hrs? :down:

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

My first job was at Kaiser Walnut Creek. I showed up on the first day and they said, "Who are you? Youre a nurse? Youre working here? Oh, ok, go follow her." So yes, stay away from Kaiser hospitals for at least your first assignment. Califronia is a great place to go for your first assignment (mandated ratios). I found it easiest to fly into Sacramento and get my license and all that in person instead of trying to do it all through mail. Good Luck!

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We are going with Fast Staff and I have already heard the horror stories about american mobile. DEFFFFFFF staying away from them. We tried to talk to multiple smaller companies thinking that they would be better to go with but they actually laughed at me when I asked them about my wife and I getting placed in the same location. So far fast staff has been very easy to get a hold of and are quick to respond to any questions. Actually got all the hoops cleared this past week and are going to talk to a recruiter this morning when I get home about getting our assignment. Are there any hospitals in Northern Cali. that frequently use travelers or better yet fast staff that come with a good recommendation. I know kaiser hospitals are crap and I want to avoid them at all costs. We're hoping to be near san fran/sac. area but are there any jobs? Any info would be greatly appreciated. They quoted us at $36.00 base pay with my wife receiving the free housing and I would get a hefty (in my opinion....but i'm from WV lol) housing stipend. I know in Cali you get time and a half from 8-12 hrs. but i have also heard that facilities are bad about calling you off and then trying to call you back in for a 4hr shift to make up the difference so they won't have to pay you the overtime. Is this a big problem out there? Any little tricks or trends that you guys know would be greatly appreciated.

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