I'm thinking about taking a travel nurse assignement for the first time. So far, I've talked to Cross Country Trav Corps and RN Network. Ive heard more positive things about RN Network on this discussion forum than Cross Country, but a nurse I work with said she traveled with CC years back and never had a problem with them. Plus, CC seems to have a larger selection of travel assigments and I like the fact that you can access alot of your info via the internet. What are their major differences? Who pays better? Who is better with housing? Who is better with tailoring contracts? Majorly confused. Need advice. Please help!!
Cross Country or RN Network???
I travel with RN Network, and am very happy with them. I've never dealt with Cross Country, so I can't really compare, but RN Network has always paid me well, has a big variety of assignments to choose from, has given me excellent housing, and has worked with me to make adjustments to my contracts when needed. PM me if you'd like my recruiter's info.
I travel with RN Network, and having already learned my lessons by traveling with Medical Express... I LOVE RN Network, and I LOVE my recruiter, he recognizes my voice on the phone, he delivers what he promises, and I find the company in general, very easy to work for.
Good Luck with your travels!
Good Luck with your travels!
You may have had a good experience so far, but give it time...and, those of you working for RN Network, Cross Country, Medical Express are making WAY LESS than most other travelers...any American Mobile company or Cross Country company = about $10/hr less. FYI. For example, I am making $13/hr more than a fellow traveler right now who is with one of these companies and we are doing the same work in the same unit!
When comparing pay, you also have to consider benefits, such as insurance, travel reimbursement, housing, bonuses, etc. It's not just about the hourly wage.....
I am on file with Cross Country but have not yet traveled with them, so I cannot comment on them directly, but I have traveled with RN Network for over five years. Obviously, they have been pretty good to me considering the amount of time I have spent with them. However, I have noticed changes in the company since being acquired by CHG (corporate entity) several years ago.
The communication between departments has gotten worse and I did have lots of payroll issues last year. They do a good job of correcting the situation when brought to their attention, but the payroll issues were a bit of a pain.
With RN Network, you will typically make a few dollars less an hour than with other companies, but I have noticed that my housing, furniture package, etc tends to be a bit better than with other companies.
Tayloring contracts is something that any good recruiter should be able to do regardless of company. Tell them what you want in the contract and if they can accomodate you, they should be happy to put it in writing.
Insurance with RN Network is a PPO and pretty decent coverage (possibly a bit better than norm). As far as assignment location, I have seldom had a problem getting to where I want with RN Network, but I would venture a guess that volume wise, Cross Country would have more contracts (bigger name and I believe in the industry longer). My suggestion is sign up with both and then compare apples to apples.
The communication between departments has gotten worse and I did have lots of payroll issues last year. They do a good job of correcting the situation when brought to their attention, but the payroll issues were a bit of a pain.
With RN Network, you will typically make a few dollars less an hour than with other companies, but I have noticed that my housing, furniture package, etc tends to be a bit better than with other companies.
Tayloring contracts is something that any good recruiter should be able to do regardless of company. Tell them what you want in the contract and if they can accomodate you, they should be happy to put it in writing.
Insurance with RN Network is a PPO and pretty decent coverage (possibly a bit better than norm). As far as assignment location, I have seldom had a problem getting to where I want with RN Network, but I would venture a guess that volume wise, Cross Country would have more contracts (bigger name and I believe in the industry longer). My suggestion is sign up with both and then compare apples to apples.
Yeah, David has the right idea. If you really want to cover your bases, sign up with two or three agencies and then cherry pick the best assignment you can get at any point in time. You really don't want to be too dependant on what any one company is offering.
hey send me a personal message and let me know what company you work with thanks.
Hi! I worked with Rn Network for the past year, and have had MANY payroll issues. It has been quite frustrating. I just switched to Access Nurses, so far they have been great. Rn Network has good benefits, my recruiter was awesome, but I just got tired of payroll messing up my check. Usually not just minor issues either. I have friends with Cross Country, and they don't have any complaints. Good Luck in your travels!! It's an awesome experience.
I worked with Cross country for 3 assignments now. I switched to them after finding out that one of my co-workers (a traveler) was receiving a higher bonus and more reimbursements. I'm sure that i'm probably not getting the highest pay rate but my recruiter works to get me a little more $ here and there. She's on top of things but also is not too pushy.
I've never had payroll issues. You can check everything online...payroll, taxes, new assignments.
I think that every traveler should talk with several different companies...so you can negotiate for more $. You can always get more than you're getting now. This is the 3rd company I've worked with and I think they're great.
I've never had payroll issues. You can check everything online...payroll, taxes, new assignments.
I think that every traveler should talk with several different companies...so you can negotiate for more $. You can always get more than you're getting now. This is the 3rd company I've worked with and I think they're great.
I would definiatley go cross country over rn network, but check out the company I'm working with Strategic Nurse Staffing. That Brendan he is my recruiter and main man!! He really cares about the quality of the assignments/ housing / and pay.
Hi everyone!
I'm new to this site. Just received my license in October and looking to do travel nursing in the future (I need another year of experience). I've heard wonderful things about RN NETWORK and plan to work with them. It seems like their assignments are limited. It says on their site that if you can't find the job you like, you can email them with your preferences and they'll find something that works for you.
For those of you who have been w/ RN network, how good are they with finding an assignment that you like?
I'm new to this site. Just received my license in October and looking to do travel nursing in the future (I need another year of experience). I've heard wonderful things about RN NETWORK and plan to work with them. It seems like their assignments are limited. It says on their site that if you can't find the job you like, you can email them with your preferences and they'll find something that works for you.
For those of you who have been w/ RN network, how good are they with finding an assignment that you like?
Emmylynn wrote:Hi everyone!
I'm new to this site. Just received my license in October and looking to do travel nursing in the future (I need another year of experience). I've heard wonderful things about RN NETWORK and plan to work with them. It seems like their assignments are limited. It says on their site that if you can't find the job you like, you can email them with your preferences and they'll find something that works for you.
For those of you who have been w/ RN network, how good are they with finding an assignment that you like?
I have been traveling with RN Network for over a year now, and they have been excellent. Lots of assignments all over the country, good pay, excellent housing, my recruiter is awesome, insurance is very good, as well as travel reimbursement. I agree that another year of experience would be good for you, but when you get ready to travel, PM me if you'd like my recruiter's info.
I have signed with RN Network to travel in May but still have some wariness with all travel agencies. So far I have only done local contracts with All About
Staffing and their pay has been great. I'm worried about not making as much overall. I realize my hourly rate will be less than what I am making now but when I had in housing, insurance, etc, I would like it to even out. Is this possible?
Staffing and their pay has been great. I'm worried about not making as much overall. I realize my hourly rate will be less than what I am making now but when I had in housing, insurance, etc, I would like it to even out. Is this possible?
Amanda - Please pass on recruiters name for RN Network? Any pros/cons would be appreciated, they are on my short list of top three agencies (I am changing from my current agency)
RN on the road wrote:Amanda - Please pass on recruiters name for RN Network? Any pros/cons would be appreciated, they are on my short list of top three agencies (I am changing from my current agency)sent you a PM :)
CCTC lower pay, insurance is GREATWEST - not the best, high cost/low coverage. CCTC had the assignment when and where I wanted it. Housing was okay - had to fight for housing package (intially promised t.v., microwave - got it in writing. Had to fax housing copy of contract to prove to them that I did not owe them $100 wk for rental.) Overall if you need an assignment and they have what you want and are willing to take lower pay rate for the assignment. I have taken several assignments and would consider CCTC again in the future.
RNN - best health benefits I have found yet - pay is okay. RNN is very good at negotiating contracts rates and benefits. Also RNN has a very nice built in retention program. I don't get hassled by the recruiter or housing. RNN has been responsive to my Q & A, and corrected any problems quickly. Limited assignments, but well worth the time to find the assignment that works for you. I prefer RNN over other travel companies; however I always have an eye and an ear open for better opportunities. I would definitely travel with RNN if they had an assignment where I wanted to go. Money isn't everything - sometimes adventure is better.
RNN - best health benefits I have found yet - pay is okay. RNN is very good at negotiating contracts rates and benefits. Also RNN has a very nice built in retention program. I don't get hassled by the recruiter or housing. RNN has been responsive to my Q & A, and corrected any problems quickly. Limited assignments, but well worth the time to find the assignment that works for you. I prefer RNN over other travel companies; however I always have an eye and an ear open for better opportunities. I would definitely travel with RNN if they had an assignment where I wanted to go. Money isn't everything - sometimes adventure is better.
Hi! I'm writing because i'm currently a traveler on assignment with Cross Country. I am actually in the process of switching over to RN network as I work with other nurses who work with them and are so much happier than I am.
My issues with Cross Country are that i always feel like i'm getting the bare minimum for the work i do. The pay is low and I had to fight for good housing. I actually found the place I'm currently living because they initially told me that I wouldn't be able to bring my dog. When i did the research and found a place, then they were on board. Whenever i ask to be reimbursed for something i feel that they should cover, I get answers like "there's no extra room for that in your budget"...Overall i'm just not happy..I feel like Cross country will do the bare minimum for us just to put more money in their pockets. Btw, they are a public company so they have more overhead and that means less money in your pocket because they have so many other people's salaries to pay.
My current colleagues on assignment that i am close with work with RN network and love it..overall because of the way RN network does their taxes they come out with over $800 dollars more a month..get paid weekly, better medical insurance, extension bonuses, and better housing. Also the difference had i taken the stipend would have been 350 less a month than my friend gets from RN network...Plus my recruiter at RN network is awesome.
You might find that there might not be as many assignments but they can usually find you something where you want to go...
But basically that is my two cents...i'm counting the days till my contract ends with cross country and i can switch over to RN network.
My issues with Cross Country are that i always feel like i'm getting the bare minimum for the work i do. The pay is low and I had to fight for good housing. I actually found the place I'm currently living because they initially told me that I wouldn't be able to bring my dog. When i did the research and found a place, then they were on board. Whenever i ask to be reimbursed for something i feel that they should cover, I get answers like "there's no extra room for that in your budget"...Overall i'm just not happy..I feel like Cross country will do the bare minimum for us just to put more money in their pockets. Btw, they are a public company so they have more overhead and that means less money in your pocket because they have so many other people's salaries to pay.
My current colleagues on assignment that i am close with work with RN network and love it..overall because of the way RN network does their taxes they come out with over $800 dollars more a month..get paid weekly, better medical insurance, extension bonuses, and better housing. Also the difference had i taken the stipend would have been 350 less a month than my friend gets from RN network...Plus my recruiter at RN network is awesome.
You might find that there might not be as many assignments but they can usually find you something where you want to go...
But basically that is my two cents...i'm counting the days till my contract ends with cross country and i can switch over to RN network.
Hi,
I am on my 4th assignment with CC after 3 with American Mobile and 1 with Aureus.
Choose your company based on your needs. Since I work PACU I need a larger company with more job selection. CC and Amer. Mobile meet these needs.
If you work m/s or icu most companies are big enough to meet your needs. Your recruiter makes a big difference and I'm sure you can have good or bad experiences with any company
Good luck. Stan
I am on my 4th assignment with CC after 3 with American Mobile and 1 with Aureus.
Choose your company based on your needs. Since I work PACU I need a larger company with more job selection. CC and Amer. Mobile meet these needs.
If you work m/s or icu most companies are big enough to meet your needs. Your recruiter makes a big difference and I'm sure you can have good or bad experiences with any company
Good luck. Stan