Just wondered if anyone else have noticed the intense cut in assignments available now. I talked to a couple different companies today and both were saying the lack of assignments are due to the recession and hospitals not wanting to pay travelers anymore. Is there just a lack of L&D jobs or is it every specialty?
Recession affecting our jobs?
My humble oppinion, based on my observations is that L&D and PACU are feeling it the most right now but the trend is for hospitals to shy from using travelers in every area. Those that are offering contracts are doing it for less dollars. It sucks.
I know right, my recruiter had offered me a contract in oakland for $22 an hour, I was like are you kidding me?! I got paid more as a staff nurse in North Carolina.
I think there are less assignments in certain areas of the country. Other areas have just as many assignments. For example, at the hospital I am currently at in San Antonio, the travel coordinator here said they currently have over 100 travelers at the hospital....
It seems like there are less assignments in the places that traditionally use a lot of travelers (CA, FL...), but an increase in assignments in other areas. Or, assignments in areas that traditionally pay a lot (CA) aren't paying as much. Other areas seen to have no change in pay. Not sure why that is. With things being the way they are, I think travelers need to just be more flexible in where they are wanting to travel to. If you are flexible about locations, you should never have to go without work, and you won't need to sacrifice pay.
It seems like there are less assignments in the places that traditionally use a lot of travelers (CA, FL...), but an increase in assignments in other areas. Or, assignments in areas that traditionally pay a lot (CA) aren't paying as much. Other areas seen to have no change in pay. Not sure why that is. With things being the way they are, I think travelers need to just be more flexible in where they are wanting to travel to. If you are flexible about locations, you should never have to go without work, and you won't need to sacrifice pay.
I was told by my recruiter that "after Obama gets in, things will change" and that "everyone (being hospitals) wants to see what happens." Don't know if there's any truth to that or not. I don't go to the obvious glamour locations and still am having limited options.
BUT there are still jobs to be had.
BUT there are still jobs to be had.
Definately
According to my main recruiter, there are less jobs posted this year than last year. Jobs come in, and then are pulled. I do Med/Surg and there are less this year. I applied at 4 agencies, had 10 submissions and only one interview. My resume is good, my experience is good. It seems like most of the Med/Surg positions want tele. One recruiter told me that for one job she submitted me to the nurse manager told her that she had rec'd 100 applications from different agencies. Another told me that last year at this time they had 2000 positions posted, and this year they have 500. Of course this is from recruiters, so who knows if actual fact.
I think NICU is getting hit very hard right now. I currently am working with 5 companies and there are onlly two jobs that they have that I can be posted for. Many of my recruiters are submitting me to hospitals that they usually have needs for but currently dont. Honestly, I am a bit scared and very nervous. I havent gotten a single interview yet though other positions have posted and either been filled or closed. I am told my profile looks excellent and strong, so I just dont get it! Any other NICU travelers finding the same thing?
Currently there are 5 travelers on the unit where I work. None of us are being renewed and neither of us have any idea where we will go next. 4 positions where I was submitted pulled out or were filled by nurses who opted to take a permanent position. The vacancies created by our loss is being filled with new grads. It's going to be interesting...we'll see how long it last.
I work in an ambulatory surgery center in Florida and my hours have been cut to about 25 a week. I have been applying everywhere around here and there are few if any openings. I am looking outside Florida now.
my assignment at the OKC VA ends late Feb and my recruiter is not offering me ANY assignment anywhere except to extend where i am - i won't be doing that as i only came here for 13 weeks while my son was stationed here -
several other nursing agencies have said that opportunities are really tight out there (i am strictly med-surg float) but they all still want applications - they say things will open up again actively in a month or 2 - i am applying to a couple more - does anyone else establish with more than 1 agency? :42:
several other nursing agencies have said that opportunities are really tight out there (i am strictly med-surg float) but they all still want applications - they say things will open up again actively in a month or 2 - i am applying to a couple more - does anyone else establish with more than 1 agency? :42:
Darlonna,
I'm signed on with 4 companies for med surg and the market is terrible. I've been traveling 4 years and things are very bad now. Very few jobs. I extended at my current travel assignment but don't want to extend again. The competition for a job is fierce in the travel world.
I'm signed on with 4 companies for med surg and the market is terrible. I've been traveling 4 years and things are very bad now. Very few jobs. I extended at my current travel assignment but don't want to extend again. The competition for a job is fierce in the travel world.
Word is that things will improve in the next couple of months. Yes, this year is worse than most, but traditionally, this is a slow time of year for travel assignments- budgets get tight, and hospitals hire less travelers. Then, in a couple of months, when their staff is miserable, the hospitals start hiring travelers again- I've seen it happen year after year- it's kind of a cycle.... By spring time I expect to see some improvements.
i don't agree with the statement about nurses needing to be more open with location. i will go anywhere, any state, any shift, pay doesn't really matter either. my assignment ends this week and none of the travelers were asked to extend... there were at least 20 of us. i'm in stepdown/tele and have been submitted to the few positions there are across the country without one interview. i'm also working with 5 travel companies.
WaddRN wrote:i don't agree with the statement about nurses needing to be more open with location. i will go anywhere, any state, any shift, pay doesn't really matter either. my assignment ends this week and none of the travelers were asked to extend... there were at least 20 of us. i'm in stepdown/tele and have been submitted to the few positions there are across the country without one interview. i'm also working with 5 travel companies.
So, you stated that you are willing to go anywhere, doesn't that equate to you being more open about location???
Like I said, word is that this that things are supposed to improve in the next few months. In the meantime, there are assignments to be had, just not as many. What companies are you working with??? If you are working with 5 different companies (ones not affiliated with each other) then you should be able to find something.
RN Network currently has 7 tele postings, Clinical One has 6, Nursefinders has 18, All About Staffing has 9, MedStaff has 9... so, I know that you are in talks with 5 different companies, but perhaps you are not speaking with the right ones.
I am working corrections and my contract ends 4/10/09. no chance of renewal here in NC. Anybody know of any correctional positions and what company? tks for any help.
My Take = This is a backlash from the bad economy overall which is less Travel Jobs overall. Many new and old Travelers will get scared and go back to perm or do something else thus thinning out the ranks of potential Travelers.
The hospitals will eventually need to give in to get staff for the amount of sick people. Travel Jobs will increase again and there will be less Travelers than before and more jobs.
Many recruiters keeping singing this mantra and I feel they are using it for manipulation by over-dramatizing it.
Yes you should get registered with several companies you like with a recruiter you like who is flexible and have all of you documents in order and organized.
It's better to have been registered and worked with several companies already than just be registred with several.
Also stay in email contact with many more companies to keep aware of new opportunities as they come in.
Get a new license. Take a job in a compact state (Travel or Perm) set roots there, gain compact status.
Look at Foreign assignments. Do your research. Learn more about
the Travel Biz.
These are things you should do in a good economy too.
Remember the recruiters during this time and how you worked together in bad times.....
I recently was offered a job within a hospital association network by 10 different recruiters from different companies with wide variations in pay packages.
The lower paying recruiters tried to come accross as "I know this is low and I'm embarrassed to offer it to you but things are really bad all over" ....hmmmm.
CJ www.TravelNurseToolbox.com :cool-nurse:
The hospitals will eventually need to give in to get staff for the amount of sick people. Travel Jobs will increase again and there will be less Travelers than before and more jobs.
Many recruiters keeping singing this mantra and I feel they are using it for manipulation by over-dramatizing it.
Yes you should get registered with several companies you like with a recruiter you like who is flexible and have all of you documents in order and organized.
It's better to have been registered and worked with several companies already than just be registred with several.
Also stay in email contact with many more companies to keep aware of new opportunities as they come in.
Get a new license. Take a job in a compact state (Travel or Perm) set roots there, gain compact status.
Look at Foreign assignments. Do your research. Learn more about
the Travel Biz.
These are things you should do in a good economy too.
Remember the recruiters during this time and how you worked together in bad times.....
I recently was offered a job within a hospital association network by 10 different recruiters from different companies with wide variations in pay packages.
The lower paying recruiters tried to come accross as "I know this is low and I'm embarrassed to offer it to you but things are really bad all over" ....hmmmm.
CJ www.TravelNurseToolbox.com :cool-nurse:
I was pretty ignorant this time around about how much the economic woes would affect the travel nursing industry. The reason for that is that EVERY year around December/January you start finding out that hospitals are crunching.
Budgets get set and the first thing hospitals try to cut is the amount of travel nurses they use. It's easy for hospital administration to look at their budget and knock off a chunk looking at travel nurses. THIS TIME they really are going to make it without them by golly! Well, they NEVER do and a couple months down the road, if even that long, they are usually back to using.
I ASSuMEd that this was just another one of those annual rituals that hospitals go through, and that they'd be back with more positions than ever in no time. I thought it would be a little worse, maybe 20-30% worse than normal due to the economy, but as usual it would pick up.
I'm not so sure now. Everyone I have talked to is experiencing the same thing. From nurses, to recruiters, to Travel Nursing Company Execs, and other nursing website owners. Everyone is experiencing a much greater than normal downturn. A lot of people are pretty worried they may not recover for quite awhile. I am one of them.
Budgets get set and the first thing hospitals try to cut is the amount of travel nurses they use. It's easy for hospital administration to look at their budget and knock off a chunk looking at travel nurses. THIS TIME they really are going to make it without them by golly! Well, they NEVER do and a couple months down the road, if even that long, they are usually back to using.
I ASSuMEd that this was just another one of those annual rituals that hospitals go through, and that they'd be back with more positions than ever in no time. I thought it would be a little worse, maybe 20-30% worse than normal due to the economy, but as usual it would pick up.
I'm not so sure now. Everyone I have talked to is experiencing the same thing. From nurses, to recruiters, to Travel Nursing Company Execs, and other nursing website owners. Everyone is experiencing a much greater than normal downturn. A lot of people are pretty worried they may not recover for quite awhile. I am one of them.
I agree the crunch is going to last longer. The needs are there and the perm staff are carrying the heavy load.
Eventually those needs will have to be filled and there will be a burst of openings March, April , May and throughout the year because amount of sick people to care for doesn't decrease because the economy is bad.
When this happens I bet there will be more reluctant Travelers.
I myself as a Psych RN Traveler which is harder than most specialties to find have seen many assignments come and go in Psych or other specialities. That is because I've always marketed myself to all companies and search everywhere.
The downside is info overload and management. The upside is you get the big picture view of what's out there.
I think for so long many Travelers especially high demand Travelers like ICU etc.. were so use to not having to do this Search & Marketing because 1 or maybe 2 or 3 companies always had an assortment of assignments that was more than enough.
Does everybody want to do what I do? Probably not :). I get burned out myself on it at times.
I think when this stimulus package makes it through overall that will inject some optimism in the markets initially but we shall see...
CJ www.TravelNurseToolbox.com :cool-nurse:
Eventually those needs will have to be filled and there will be a burst of openings March, April , May and throughout the year because amount of sick people to care for doesn't decrease because the economy is bad.
When this happens I bet there will be more reluctant Travelers.
I myself as a Psych RN Traveler which is harder than most specialties to find have seen many assignments come and go in Psych or other specialities. That is because I've always marketed myself to all companies and search everywhere.
The downside is info overload and management. The upside is you get the big picture view of what's out there.
I think for so long many Travelers especially high demand Travelers like ICU etc.. were so use to not having to do this Search & Marketing because 1 or maybe 2 or 3 companies always had an assortment of assignments that was more than enough.
Does everybody want to do what I do? Probably not :). I get burned out myself on it at times.
I think when this stimulus package makes it through overall that will inject some optimism in the markets initially but we shall see...
CJ www.TravelNurseToolbox.com :cool-nurse:
jacklpn wrote:I am working corrections and my contract ends 4/10/09. no chance of renewal here in NC. Anybody know of any correctional positions and what company? tks for any help.Civilian Correctional RN, wow we could possibly share some stories? At least, your patients speak english.
Not only the recession, but general poop all around. Public Aide is so far behind in payments here, one hospital near by the one I was at nearly closed. They did find a new owner, but many workers went back to their 'old haunts'. Have heard other places are suffering, too. *Sigh*
Ok, I know this is not the Rubber Room but have I got a story for you all. I had a contract in Central Cali. I was 3 wks shy of ending and was told they would not be renewing any travelers. Census was so low, there were times there were only 2 nurses (tvlrs) on the unit. I was approached and asked if I would object to ending my contract early. Now, I have been anxious to move fwd, find my next spot, getting nervous about the lack of tvl assignments in my specialty (L&D, PP). I agreed as long as it did not come across as I being the one to request the early termination. They assured me not, that it would be a mutual agreement, advantageous to both parties.
Well they wrote a letter to my company saying that I requested the termination and that they had agreed. My company was then going to fine me $750 and make me non-rehireable due to the fact that in 2004 I ended a contract 4 days early due to a family crisis and last year backed out of an assignmnet, not yet started, to extend where I was currently. You with me so far?
Of course I was fit to be tied, told the hospital to forget it that I would finish my remaining 3 wks and they said no, in fact told me I was done in 3 days! So I asked, am I being fired? NO, Of course not...blah, blah. So after the 3rd day, I drive cross country from Cali to Fl in 2 1/2 days.
After much dispute, they reinstate me, waive the fine. whew, I think. Well come pay day, I am shorted a full week of housing stipend and my perdiem. They tell me, it was deducted because I did not work the full week. Pardon me, BS. I worked my full week and an additional day. Now 2 wks later, they finally figure out their mistake, pay my housing and perdiem but still owe me one full 12 hr shift. I am not a happy camper.
I have not been able to find another assignment with any company unless I want to go back West or to Alaska. Thank you, No. I had a wonderful interview for a charge nurse position in corrections and am waiting for approval of hourly wage before confirming a start date. Great benefits, no nights, no weekends. I'm done traveling. Too much insecurity right now and too much hassle.
Thanks for reading this far.
Well they wrote a letter to my company saying that I requested the termination and that they had agreed. My company was then going to fine me $750 and make me non-rehireable due to the fact that in 2004 I ended a contract 4 days early due to a family crisis and last year backed out of an assignmnet, not yet started, to extend where I was currently. You with me so far?
Of course I was fit to be tied, told the hospital to forget it that I would finish my remaining 3 wks and they said no, in fact told me I was done in 3 days! So I asked, am I being fired? NO, Of course not...blah, blah. So after the 3rd day, I drive cross country from Cali to Fl in 2 1/2 days.
After much dispute, they reinstate me, waive the fine. whew, I think. Well come pay day, I am shorted a full week of housing stipend and my perdiem. They tell me, it was deducted because I did not work the full week. Pardon me, BS. I worked my full week and an additional day. Now 2 wks later, they finally figure out their mistake, pay my housing and perdiem but still owe me one full 12 hr shift. I am not a happy camper.
I have not been able to find another assignment with any company unless I want to go back West or to Alaska. Thank you, No. I had a wonderful interview for a charge nurse position in corrections and am waiting for approval of hourly wage before confirming a start date. Great benefits, no nights, no weekends. I'm done traveling. Too much insecurity right now and too much hassle.
Thanks for reading this far.
oh and I am still trying to get my $500 travel allowance. They say that because I ended early I forfeited. Again, BS. Things are so bad right now, we are the ones being short ended. I have my contract, so I am fighting for that travel reimbursement. Nowhere does it say, upon completed hours. It's not a bonus, it's travel $.
I've got a good one too! Yes there are fewer assignments and I have noticed that most of the companies are "sharing" them. As a result, if you are accepted two or even three companies take their portion leaving the nurse - the one actually doing the work - with little pay.
Last week, I interviewed in NM - Roswell - and was accepted ! Yeah! A job. The pay wasn't great but it was doable. I started packing. I told all my family, starting looking for housing, planning my route, made arrangements to stop and stay with people (it was 1600 miles), etc, etc.
The hospital had to "post" the job with ??? not sure who exactly, medfab or something, anyway, they said they had to so they could hire me. They wanted ME. Within 4 hours they called back and rejected me.
When my recruiter called the unit director she was as confused as we were and directed her to HR. The HR person did not have an explanation and my recruiter, of course, was upset and asked to speak to her supervisor who told my recruiter that she was upsetting her employee and harassing her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing behavior don't you think??? Had I backed out of a verbal contract I would have been blackballed and wouldn't ever work with that company again!!!!!!!!!! This is so unprofessional.
On the one hand, I am glad I didn't go that far and find out it was a bad environment. But, on the other, I think they should be held responsible for backing out - somehow.
I think they got profiles in when they posted it and found someone cheaper!!!
If this is an example of how it is going to be, then I want contracts up front BEFORE accepting and some sort of penalty when they cancel. Thank goodness I wasn't already on the road.
Nurses are just taking anything offered to them right now. I know we all need to work but not for less than a permanent position! It ruins it for everyone. Hospitals seems to be able to get away with anything - apparently.
Last week, I interviewed in NM - Roswell - and was accepted ! Yeah! A job. The pay wasn't great but it was doable. I started packing. I told all my family, starting looking for housing, planning my route, made arrangements to stop and stay with people (it was 1600 miles), etc, etc.
The hospital had to "post" the job with ??? not sure who exactly, medfab or something, anyway, they said they had to so they could hire me. They wanted ME. Within 4 hours they called back and rejected me.
When my recruiter called the unit director she was as confused as we were and directed her to HR. The HR person did not have an explanation and my recruiter, of course, was upset and asked to speak to her supervisor who told my recruiter that she was upsetting her employee and harassing her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing behavior don't you think??? Had I backed out of a verbal contract I would have been blackballed and wouldn't ever work with that company again!!!!!!!!!! This is so unprofessional.
On the one hand, I am glad I didn't go that far and find out it was a bad environment. But, on the other, I think they should be held responsible for backing out - somehow.
I think they got profiles in when they posted it and found someone cheaper!!!
If this is an example of how it is going to be, then I want contracts up front BEFORE accepting and some sort of penalty when they cancel. Thank goodness I wasn't already on the road.
Nurses are just taking anything offered to them right now. I know we all need to work but not for less than a permanent position! It ruins it for everyone. Hospitals seems to be able to get away with anything - apparently.
My last hospital said they would not renew ANY contracts, and I was up to the very last minute with nowhere to go. Luckly, I got a contract at the last minute, and its in an ideal place. Very close to home, good unit, good ratio's...I'm going to try to hold on to it as long as i can.
Somthing else I wanted to say...
it seems to me alot of people are leaving travel positions to go back to a "stable" enviornment, which I think will only make things better for those of us that stay on the road...when things pick back up there will be alot less people for the jobs out there, and its my opinion, that pay will go up then and we'll be able to negotiate better deals.
it seems to me alot of people are leaving travel positions to go back to a "stable" enviornment, which I think will only make things better for those of us that stay on the road...when things pick back up there will be alot less people for the jobs out there, and its my opinion, that pay will go up then and we'll be able to negotiate better deals.
Here's my story. I'm ICU. Just started a contract. On a Monday, I had the nurse manager of the unit ask me to join the unit, a buyout. On Thursday, I was canned. No warning, no nothing. Seven weeks before the end of the contract. No reply to inquiries. Coworkers aghast. I've gotten references from people I had no idea I had influenced. I'm very flattered but I'm unemployed.
I'm working with four to five companies right now I haven't gotten one interview. I'm ready to go to Canada or overseas. I'm tired of this crap. I know the sick are still out there. I've been told that I'm not half bad in treating the sick. On good days, I can reach "ok". I'm making a funny to keep from getting openly angry among my peers but this is not fun.
I'm working with four to five companies right now I haven't gotten one interview. I'm ready to go to Canada or overseas. I'm tired of this crap. I know the sick are still out there. I've been told that I'm not half bad in treating the sick. On good days, I can reach "ok". I'm making a funny to keep from getting openly angry among my peers but this is not fun.
Now see, that's scary. There are certainly a lot of needs for critical care nurses, I have just not worked those areas for nearly 3 years. I am currently an inactive CCRN and will probably just let that lapse next go round. I'm very sorry this happened to you and I hope that you will find a good match soon.
I received this from AWHONN today. Thougth it was on topic.
You may have heard that nursing careers are beginning to get hit by the economic state of affairs. This is true; people are finding it harder to afford medical care and hospitals are being hit hard. As a result many hospitals have scaled down hiring new nurses. Not to worry, nurses are still in very high demand. "Nurses are experiencing job growth of 23 percent across the industry, and up to 39 percent in physician offices. To attract qualified professionals, health care employers are offering higher salaries, benefits, signing bonuses, and other perks."¹ Demand is strong and competition is stronger but you have AWHONN on your side. Give yourself a leg up with the AWHONN Nursing Career Center. The Nursing Career Center has valuable resources that will put you ahead of the pack:
As the economy goes through its ups and downs, AWHONN will continue to make certain that your career needs are met and that you find the job that is perfect for you!
Sincerely,
AWHONN Nursing Career Center
The site is AWHONN.org if anyone is interested.
I received this from AWHONN today. Thougth it was on topic.
Is Nursing Still Recession Proof?
You may have heard that nursing careers are beginning to get hit by the economic state of affairs. This is true; people are finding it harder to afford medical care and hospitals are being hit hard. As a result many hospitals have scaled down hiring new nurses. Not to worry, nurses are still in very high demand. "Nurses are experiencing job growth of 23 percent across the industry, and up to 39 percent in physician offices. To attract qualified professionals, health care employers are offering higher salaries, benefits, signing bonuses, and other perks."¹ Demand is strong and competition is stronger but you have AWHONN on your side. Give yourself a leg up with the AWHONN Nursing Career Center. The Nursing Career Center has valuable resources that will put you ahead of the pack:
- Register for job alerts. Find out about jobs that are specific to your needs right away.
- Use the resume builder to create an attention- grabbing resume
- Create a personalized website all about you! Upload articles you've published, accolades you have received and other accomplishments
- Nursing Schools & ProgramsSalaries
- Licensing
- Choosing a specialty
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
As the economy goes through its ups and downs, AWHONN will continue to make certain that your career needs are met and that you find the job that is perfect for you!
Sincerely,
AWHONN Nursing Career Center
The site is AWHONN.org if anyone is interested.
Ixtlan wrote:Here's my story. I'm ICU. Just started a contract. On a Monday, I had the nurse manager of the unit ask me to join the unit, a buyout. On Thursday, I was canned. No warning, no nothing. Seven weeks before the end of the contract. No reply to inquiries. Coworkers aghast. I've gotten references from people I had no idea I had influenced. I'm very flattered but I'm unemployed.
I'm working with four to five companies right now I haven't gotten one interview. I'm ready to go to Canada or overseas. I'm tired of this crap. I know the sick are still out there. I've been told that I'm not half bad in treating the sick. On good days, I can reach "ok". I'm making a funny to keep from getting openly angry among my peers but this is not fun.
ppanchorage wrote:I've got a good one too! Yes there are fewer assignments and I have noticed that most of the companies are "sharing" them. As a result, if you are accepted two or even three companies take their portion leaving the nurse - the one actually doing the work - with little pay.
Last week, I interviewed in NM - Roswell - and was accepted ! Yeah! A job. The pay wasn't great but it was doable. I started packing. I told all my family, starting looking for housing, planning my route, made arrangements to stop and stay with people (it was 1600 miles), etc, etc.
The hospital had to "post" the job with ??? not sure who exactly, medfab or something, anyway, they said they had to so they could hire me. They wanted ME. Within 4 hours they called back and rejected me.
When my recruiter called the unit director she was as confused as we were and directed her to HR. The HR person did not have an explanation and my recruiter, of course, was upset and asked to speak to her supervisor who told my recruiter that she was upsetting her employee and harassing her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing behavior don't you think??? Had I backed out of a verbal contract I would have been blackballed and wouldn't ever work with that company again!!!!!!!!!! This is so unprofessional.
On the one hand, I am glad I didn't go that far and find out it was a bad environment. But, on the other, I think they should be held responsible for backing out - somehow.
I think they got profiles in when they posted it and found someone cheaper!!!
If this is an example of how it is going to be, then I want contracts up front BEFORE accepting and some sort of penalty when they cancel. Thank goodness I wasn't already on the road.
Nurses are just taking anything offered to them right now. I know we all need to work but not for less than a permanent position! It ruins it for everyone. Hospitals seems to be able to get away with anything - apparently.
this happened to me too! i got an interview in arlington virginia and they offered me the position. i accpeted (the pay was wonderful btw) and then a few hours later my recruiter called and said that one of their current travelers decided to stay. i haven't had an interview since. i've even applied for a few permanent positions here in nashville the other day and haven't heard a thing!!
hey there, i've been traveling for along time. 15yrs, actually i came across recruiters that told me there was nothing else except for me to extend. that saves your company time and more money for them if you extend. make sure you ask for a extension onus. and yes, i'm registered with about 7 or 8 agengies!!!
kristene61 wrote:I work in an ambulatory surgery center in Florida and my hours have been cut to about 25 a week. I have been applying everywhere around here and there are few if any openings. I am looking outside Florida now.hi there!! what agency are you with. i'm formally from florida but here in tulsa awhile.came here as a traveler. hard to find positions back there at home in florida..
I am currently working in Arizona and have found that the facility I am working at is essentially eliminating travel positions and establishing their own float pool between their various hospitals. I have been told that I could easily get a job if I drop my travel status and become full time. Unfortunately,I won't be able to do that since I had a travel contract with AMN and thus can't legally do it without financial consequences. I have started looking for jobs 6 weeks out. I have been told there are openings in California and Washington State which I luckily have already obtained permanent licenses.However, reading your posts suggests that these jobs may not exist or may have fierce competition. I have submitted my resume to multiple agencies after my last job in preparation for the potential consequences of a disastrous economy. I am not exactly sure this will help since many companies compete for the same job contracts. However, there is one bright ray of hope. I have found that many hospitals are not hiring new grads due to the expense of training them. Is it possible that many hospitals will consider hiring travelers to cut expenses? Hospitals will in turn not have to pay benefits, paid time off, insurance expenses as well as training expenses for new grads who are not likely to stay. However, they will in turn cut salaries for travelers since the competition is fierce which makes traveling far too expensive for most. I find that the ability to travel may not be worthwhile anymore. I think the days of great salaries and bonuses for nurses may very well be over for a while. I may in turn just decide to go home to Florida and ride out this time until things become more stable if they ever do. what do the rest of you think?
I have to agree...I am just returning to traveling after a 5 yr break as a staff nurse. I can't BELIEVE the lack of assignments to choose from in general, the cut in the pay rates with almost every company I am on staff with, the competition for positions....need I go on? When I was traveling before, you could almost name the place you wanted to travel to (even down to the county on one NY assignment for me) and you had a call back within a couple of days of your submission. The assignment I am on now is in South Florida, where there has been little travel opportunities for the last 2 years. My director shared with me that for every one submission she used to receive for a posted position, she is now is recieving 10....translating to sometimes 100 submissions for just one or two posted postions. Although I am sure there are more travelers than there were when I last traveled, I guess the recession and hospital administrators desire to save funds have really made a market that was not so competitive 5 years ago into one where it is sometimes difficult to find work.
My recruiter says the same thing: last year they had 3000 job openings but now only about 600. They are pushing to unite nurses to permanent positions. When I worked in Austin, last year I had all the overtime I wanted. That was cut to 36 hrs/wk last Sept. I have been looking for something in GA, where my husband is, but nothing in our area. The local hospital, where I worked as a per diem before the Austin job, wanted to start me out at $22.hr; I'm a 30 year/experience RN! Now, I'm having to travel over 80 miles one way to get the unit and pay I'm looking for.:eek:
I still think this is going to be better for the long run. All the people that are sticking it out throght the lean times right now, will only have that many more opportunities later on when aot of people are weeded out of the job pool, by going back to permanant positions. I have already noticed a trend upward in the number of positions open. Where I was getting maybe 1 or 2 text messages from TNS a week just a few months ago, I am now getting several, granted alot of those are for per diem, but they are posting more.
Hi Everyone
I am a LPN with 13 yrs experience and startrd traveling 2 yrs ago. I was fortunate enough to land a goverment contract in Alaska for nine months and then back home for 4 months and now I am in corrections and they are not renewing any contracts for LPNs or RNs. They are wanting travelers to go full time with them. I have noticed that jobs are opening back up for travelers not a whole lot but better than it was a month ago. You just have to keep looking and talking with recruiters. Don't give up! You may not get the ideal city but work is out there. tks Jackie
I am a LPN with 13 yrs experience and startrd traveling 2 yrs ago. I was fortunate enough to land a goverment contract in Alaska for nine months and then back home for 4 months and now I am in corrections and they are not renewing any contracts for LPNs or RNs. They are wanting travelers to go full time with them. I have noticed that jobs are opening back up for travelers not a whole lot but better than it was a month ago. You just have to keep looking and talking with recruiters. Don't give up! You may not get the ideal city but work is out there. tks Jackie
Im seeing its easier for ER and ICU nurses to find something, not so much for other specialties. I moved back to NC to go staff the first of March and just finally landed a job last week. Im an experienced l&d nurse for all trauma levels in hospitals and did not think it would be that hard.
Is it just me or are there more jobs coming available, I accepted a telemetry travel contract in new jersey but have also been called about contracts in pa, ct, and florida and a few other states where I'm not licensed. I live in Pa and I am also getting a lot of calls for local agency shifts that weren't available for a few months.
So maybe things are beginning to turn around in the travel nurse industry.
Oh I do have several years travel experience and the pay rate of the contracts were all good (except Florida...surprise surprise..lol)
So maybe things are beginning to turn around in the travel nurse industry.
Oh I do have several years travel experience and the pay rate of the contracts were all good (except Florida...surprise surprise..lol)
There has been a decrease in all jobs, not just travel nurses. Of course we will feel the pinch, but I think it is temporary. This is a good time to extend a current contract if possible. And if not, as many others suggest, be flexible with pay rates and locations. I am sure it will pass as all things do.
I know there are very few jobs in Pediatrics to be had and many travelers applying. My contract ends next week and I have nothing. I have only been able to submit to a couple of places because most want ICU experience which I don't have. I am an ER nurse and there has not been job 1 for Peds ER. I would do adults but have never so therefore no one wants to consider me for an adult assignment. There were 4 travelers in the ER in San Antonio, where I am now, and non were extended and none have had any interviews or job offers. The hospital here is not extending any contracts of any travelers. It is much worse and I for one will probably have to sign on permament in order to survive. Good luck to everyone.
it is very scary. last december i finished an assignment and it took me 2 months to find another. then with only 9 shifts left to go on this assignment i was "fired" for the dumbest reasons you can imagine. now i am into my second week and no job yet. it is very scary out there. i have 18 years experience in a variety of fields and love floating but i am having a great deal of trouble. i think we are all fighting for the same position and the first one in i think it the lucky nurse. i am amazed at the level of experience that is out there and the jobs that are being given to nurses that just dont have any experience. i hope it changes. i really hope we see the market change.
i know alot of the hospitals want to get rid of travelers but it just wont work for them. i love the smaller hospitals but they are getting into trouble as well. i dont really want to be a full time staff nurse again. too many issues with that. i just have to believe it will change for us. i would love to see some 4 week or 8 week assignments show up. that would be great.
i would also like to know if anyone out there is actually working with halo like the one guy that swears by that company. basically they are all getting the same assignments.
so i just sit back and wait and hope and hope and wait.
i know alot of the hospitals want to get rid of travelers but it just wont work for them. i love the smaller hospitals but they are getting into trouble as well. i dont really want to be a full time staff nurse again. too many issues with that. i just have to believe it will change for us. i would love to see some 4 week or 8 week assignments show up. that would be great.
i would also like to know if anyone out there is actually working with halo like the one guy that swears by that company. basically they are all getting the same assignments.
so i just sit back and wait and hope and hope and wait.
RNCMSN do you mind saying what company you were working for?
My take on the situation is that things will get better but not anytime soon, HOWEVER the swine flu epidemic could have a short term positive effect on the number of positions available.
Otherwise, census is down everywhere because people can't afford to be hospitalized, and Nurses who previously weren't working have gone back to work. Those already working are picking up extra shifts to make ends meet.
For the travel nurse this means one thing and that is bad news. There are less positions available and for less pay.
Travel Nursing Companies are struggling to survive. Many of the smaller companies have been forced to close up shop and many of the larger companies have consolidated. All of them have made budget cuts and laid off corporate employees.
My opinion would be that if you are a travel nurse concerned about finding a position it would be best to renew at your current location unless you have something already locked in for the future. Otherwise, take the first available job that presents itself.
I believe the industry will continue to struggle for another six months, but those companies who are able to survive the downturn will be in position to thrive and their nurses will reap the benefits.
My take on the situation is that things will get better but not anytime soon, HOWEVER the swine flu epidemic could have a short term positive effect on the number of positions available.
Otherwise, census is down everywhere because people can't afford to be hospitalized, and Nurses who previously weren't working have gone back to work. Those already working are picking up extra shifts to make ends meet.
For the travel nurse this means one thing and that is bad news. There are less positions available and for less pay.
Travel Nursing Companies are struggling to survive. Many of the smaller companies have been forced to close up shop and many of the larger companies have consolidated. All of them have made budget cuts and laid off corporate employees.
My opinion would be that if you are a travel nurse concerned about finding a position it would be best to renew at your current location unless you have something already locked in for the future. Otherwise, take the first available job that presents itself.
I believe the industry will continue to struggle for another six months, but those companies who are able to survive the downturn will be in position to thrive and their nurses will reap the benefits.
hi aaron,
i am with Rvisons and also with LRShealthcare. i was listed with a couple of others but since most of the positions out there go thru a central "station" it really does not matter if you are with 10 companies. most post thru Medquest or something like that and then all the jobs are handled thru them. not sure how all that works but this is the system most jobs go thru.
basically each agency is different due to the amount of money you actually get in a paycheck. if idont take an assignment with the independent agency then i dont accept an assignment unless the company can tell me what my take home pay will be. i want it in writing and i want to know up front. i know when i take an independent contract that i get a set rate up front and i am then responsible for everything. housing etc. there are no perks just a paycheck. i am not good with taking the taxes out so i struggled with this. i loved getting control of the check but i hated having to try to pay the taxes. yeah the company takes some of the money too but not like the agencies do. so it is just a matter of what works best.
i am an all around nurse and can fit in just about any situation. so i like small hospitals where i can work ER, floor, Peds, and I can do OB2 as well. sometimes i like to have a basic med/surg job cause there is just not as much stress in that.
although i have a good resume it still does not help to get a job right now. so i am concerned and worried. i know i may sit for a month without work and it gets touchy waiting. i will take almost anything within reason.
so i am like all of you and just waiting.
i am with Rvisons and also with LRShealthcare. i was listed with a couple of others but since most of the positions out there go thru a central "station" it really does not matter if you are with 10 companies. most post thru Medquest or something like that and then all the jobs are handled thru them. not sure how all that works but this is the system most jobs go thru.
basically each agency is different due to the amount of money you actually get in a paycheck. if idont take an assignment with the independent agency then i dont accept an assignment unless the company can tell me what my take home pay will be. i want it in writing and i want to know up front. i know when i take an independent contract that i get a set rate up front and i am then responsible for everything. housing etc. there are no perks just a paycheck. i am not good with taking the taxes out so i struggled with this. i loved getting control of the check but i hated having to try to pay the taxes. yeah the company takes some of the money too but not like the agencies do. so it is just a matter of what works best.
i am an all around nurse and can fit in just about any situation. so i like small hospitals where i can work ER, floor, Peds, and I can do OB2 as well. sometimes i like to have a basic med/surg job cause there is just not as much stress in that.
although i have a good resume it still does not help to get a job right now. so i am concerned and worried. i know i may sit for a month without work and it gets touchy waiting. i will take almost anything within reason.
so i am like all of you and just waiting.