nnytmnurse wrote:Hi everyone, I am looking into traveling and need some veteran type advice. For instance which agencies are the best to work with and what can I expect from them. I hope I am posting this in the right place.:)
Hello!
I wish I had this same opportunity before I started traveling 4 years ago. First and foremost, the three most important things in real estate are also the same for travel nursing: Location, Location, Location! Where do you want to go? What do you want to do when you get there? Where will you live (housing-is it conducive to the shift you'll be working)? Pocket the tax free housing money and rent a room from someone (
www.roommates.com).
Secondly, read your contracts thoroughly. Accept the contract submitted to you initially as a rough draft. You do not have to agree to everything. Cross out any clauses which require you to give up future rights "if" some disagreement should arise. Watch companies which operate outside of the state in which you will be working. They all have their own interpretation of the laws governing that particular state. Some are bogus and can bilk you out of money. Delete clauses which tell you you cannot sign on as a staff member at a facility in which you work through the travel company for without them getting a referral fee. That could decrease your bargaining position with a hospital if you decide to come aboard. If the company declines to do so, move on to another one because someone will meet your demands. Remember, you don't get what you don't ask for. Nursing skills are portable, therefore so is your business. Get the most from it.
Ask a company for references from other travelers. Interview them. Sign up with a minimum of three companies. Personally, I choose the location I want to go to, then contact a variety of hospitals in that area. I phone the hospital operator, as for the "name and number" of the ER Manager (or hiring person for your desired unit). Don't allow them to simply transfer you. Know with whom you will be speaking before calling. Advise the manager of your interest in their facility (and be prepared to answer "why?") as a traveler. If they don't have any openings now, do they anticipate any in the near future? Ask which three companies the facility prefers to do business with. Register with two of them, at least. Get them to compete for your business. After all, you just got the gig on your own and only need them to put it together. If they don't have anything right now, ask the manager for his/her email address. Follow up the conversation with an email detailing the content of your chat, and do so that day. Write again in a couple weeks to express your continued interest. Two weeks later, call and leave a voice mail to say hello and hope you're having a great day! (Managers love that ****!) I've even driven to the location in advance to check out the area, phoned the manager and asked if I could drop by and shake his/her hand so as to give them an opportunity to match a face to the voice. (Again, they love that, if they have time.) This is the best way I've found to get the best assignments. I've stayed over a year on a travel gig, twice, by doing this.
Beware of companies who pay non taxed per diems at a high rate, and lower your hourly taxable income. Your net income will be higher, but you could end up not paying enough Social Security, or owing the IRS a bundle, as many I know have. Examine the specifics of the contract and consider it's legality.
Finally, find a travel nurse buddy with whom you can embark on this journey. Make all the friends you can along the way and NETWORK! Find out which companies are great, or poor, based on experiences you hear. The absolute best company I've ever worked for as a traveler or otherwise, is PPR Travel (Professional Placement Resources) in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Ask for Bill D'Angelos. The worst: Aureus and American Mobile (and it's sub-umbrella companies Nurses Rx, Medical Express, Payton O'Grady, Preferred...). But, remember and important detail: your lifeline is an awesome Recruiter. If you are having difficulties with your recruiter, as to speak to the General Manager, or Account Manager. The best companies to work for realize that their income potential rests on the backs of hard working nurses, not the contracts they have with facilities. What good is a job order from a facility if you don't have the RN to fill it? PPR treated me as if I was their companies' lifeblood, and I promise you there is much security in knowing that. If you get the hint that the recruiter is negotiating against you, move on.
Watch out for travel reimbursement clauses in contracts. Recruiters will say "we pay $500 for travel expenses to and from an assignment." But, when you get the contract it says "company will pay $0.44/mile up to a maximum of $500." Well, what if you are from Mississippi, currently on assignment in California, and are only driving from San Francisco to Monterey and it's 130 miles? That means you only get $57.20! But, that's not what the recruiter promised!
Having a little foreknowledge can help you to be so much more successful in travel nursing. Despite the caution I mention above, this is the best career choice I've ever made! Enjoy it!
Warm Regards,
Lee Kinney, RN
kinnlee@yahoo.com
