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Name: Susan
ResidentState: Tennessee
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: RTG
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
No
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: Juneau, AK
LeastFavoriteCity:
None yeet
Date: 16 Dec 2009
Time: 07:59:58
FirstTravelNurseExperienceMy first travel experience was
wonderful!! I was placed in a small town with a small emergency
department, but very welcoming to travelers. They offered a week of
orientation, which is not the norm. The manager made sure to call and
keep in touch to make sure that we didn't need anything or have any
questions throughout the assignment.
TellAFirstTimerDon't just settle you first time out on
the road. Do your research and make sure you state clearly in your
contract like: whether or not you will float.
Name: Cindy
ResidentState: Fl
Specialty: Dialysis
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Was with Foundation. No longer traveling.
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: Two assignments in Middle TN, both great!
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 21 Jan 2010
Time: 18:02:54
FirstTravelNurseExperienceI was made to feel very welcome at both clinics. It was wonderful meeting new people and learning about new areas. Different states can have very different practices but that does not mean bad. I had some great learning experiences. TellAFirstTimerBe very flexible and willing to work. Remember, the company would not be paying the price of a Traveler if they didn't really need help. If you jump in, you will be greatly appreciated. It's nice to bring your own experiences but don't try to shove them down your new co-worker's throats.
Name: Cindy
ResidentState: Fl
Specialty: Dialysis
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Was with Foundation. No longer traveling.
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: Two assignments in Middle TN, both great!
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 21 Jan 2010
Time: 18:03:34
FirstTravelNurseExperienceI was made to feel very welcome at both clinics. It was wonderful meeting new people and learning about new areas. Different states can have very different practices but that does not mean bad. I had some great learning experiences. TellAFirstTimerBe very flexible and willing to work. Remember, the company would not be paying the price of a Traveler if they didn't really need help. If you jump in, you will be greatly appreciated. It's nice to bring your own experiences but don't try to shove them down your new co-worker's throats.
Name: Erin
ResidentState: California/Minnesota
Specialty: Telemetry
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Valley Health Care Systems
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: MSN/Intelistaf, felt hung out to dry after recruited.
NonFriendlyHospital: Yes. Kaiser Oakland's nurses are nice, ok. But managers are powerless, idiotic bufoons.
Favoritecity: Santa Rosa, CA
LeastFavoriteCity: Sonoma, CA
Date: 19 Feb 2010
Time: 03:06:38
FirstTravelNurseExperienceSonoma Valley Hospital with MSN/Intelistaf sucked. Nurse Supervisor took 30 mins to meet me, I couldn't go to the floor because no one knew which floor to send me. Then I'd get 13 SNF patients, the other nurse 11. Expected to run, no training, I know it was Per Diem, but never had any orientation even to the hospital layout. I told my recruiter/scheduler my issues and didn't get any advice, sympathy. I hate MSN. When I moved, a MSN called me, and they had gone ahead and spoken with my old manager (who I never stated as my reference), and they didn't glow for me. So MSN got a bad first impression. I TellAFirstTimerTraveling takes guts. Don't be shy about stating what you will and won't do. Be firm about your expectations and requirements with the recruiter. Demand to be treated well! They forget that we are their bread and butter, if we work, they earn too. Also, realize if the situation sucks, GET OUT. There're plenty of traveling companies out there, you're not stuck in a hopeless situation. Have your nurse co-workers vouch as references for you. Finally, traveling can be fun, be a tourist, meet new nice people!
Name: Tina
ResidentState: GA
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Nightingale
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Nightingale
NonFriendlyHospital: Florida Hospital Waterman
Favoritecity: Kings Mountain, NC
LeastFavoriteCity: Bakersfield, CA
Date: 24 Feb 2010
Time: 14:03:24
FirstTravelNurseExperienceMy first travel experience was the best experience at a hospital I have ever had. The nurse manager in the ER and all of the staff in the ER were the best group of people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. If I had to place a picture next to the definition of a traveler friendly staff, it would be the group in the ER at Kings Mountain hospital in NC. I love you guys!!! TellAFirstTimerPlease research not only the travel companies that you are considering, but also the hospitals where you are considering an assignment. Also remember, sometimes recruiters equate " traveler friendly" with a hospital that has a large number of travelers and agency nurses in their departments. The ONLY thing a large number of nonstaff personnel definitely means is, for whatever reason, that particular hospital/department cannot recruit and maintain their own staff. Read the travel nurse forums, ask your travel nurse friends, interview other nurses who have worked at a particular facility as a traveler. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
As a sidenote, I would like to say that although I listed Florida Hospital Waterman as my own personal disaster hospital, the staff I work with are a great bunch of people. It is the hospital in general I think are less than an optimal assignment.
Name: Fania
ResidentState: Canada
Specialty: Operating Room
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 10+ years...
NOWTravelCompany: AMN
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Travcorps
NonFriendlyHospital: Tacoma General,Tacoma Wa: Mercy hospital,Redding Ca: St Luke's Hospital,Phoenix AZ
Favoritecity: Seattle,Wa: Salem,OR
LeastFavoriteCity: Tacoma,WA, Redding CA
Date: 08 Jun 2010
Time: 10:38:06
FirstTravelNurseExperienceMy First travel assignment was in St Luke's Hospital,
Phoenix AZ. It is located at the wrong end of the city. There were hookers hanging out in the streets close to the hospital. The OR staff were friendly and awesome but the OR did not have enough Sterile instruments to work with. you have to flash 95% of your instruments including all total joint instruments and open hearts instruments before doing a case.
My housing was a one bedroom and travcorps made me pay $250.00 a month. The first time it rained, the roof leaked. The second time it rained the roof caved in. It was a ghettto housing. TellAFirstTimerDo your research of the area where you are going. Check travellers blog in Delphi forum. Do not sign your contract until you research your housing. Make sure what you and your recruiter agreed are all in writing. If it Is not in the contract, just add them before signing. Go with your got feeling recruiter- wise. There's a lot of recruiters out there but there's only a few good ones. Good luck.
Name: Shunna
ResidentState: GA
Specialty: Tele
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: none
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: none
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: california
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 14 Jul 2010
Time: 17:08:19
FirstTravelNurseExperienceI went to New Mexico and the job turned out to be great. A special postition was arranged for me, I was the "go where needed" or GWN nurse. I did admissions, started IVs and helped out throughout the hospital. TellAFirstTimer
Name: Danielle
ResidentState: Texas
Specialty: Med/Surg/Tele/ICU/Corrections/Case Management/Triage/Psych
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile Healthcare
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Denton State Supported Living Center & Denton Regional Medical Center & Memorial Hermann (Orange, TX)
Favoritecity: Galveston, TX; Palo Alto, CA; Durham, NC
LeastFavoriteCity: Orange, TX, Denton, TX, Dunn, NC
Date: 30 Jul 2010
Time: 03:58:42
FirstTravelNurseExperienceScary... but then it got better when I switched to a company that really cared and helped coach me through my first travel experience. After that, I was hooked and have been traveling for the past 9 years. When I first took an assignment, I was out of my own country (originally from Canada) and a fairly new nurse of only 2 years, so it was a flood of new emotions and experiences but over the years I grew to love change and thrived on going from place to place... that's what's it all about. TellAFirstTimerFind a network of nurses who have common interests with you. Find a recruiter who takes good care of you and helps you find the best opportunities. Research the potential assignments and have a list of pre-made interview questions.
Name: Wendy
ResidentState: North Carolina
Specialty: MS
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: Suite Is Fine
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Intelistaf
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Yes-Intelistaf
NonFriendlyHospital: Methodist Willowbrook Houston
Favoritecity: None So far
LeastFavoriteCity: All
Date: 19 Aug 2010
Time: 09:52:51
FirstTravelNurseExperienceIt was disastrous. I was given unsafe assignments and when I refused to take a pt. i was ultimately let go from my assignment costing me and my travel companion $750.00
I have current assignment and I am sorry I took it. I have a travel companion and there were supposed to be two positions. There was only one and they offered it to me. Although I have since found out they wanted her instead. I watched her jump through hoop after hoop knowing all along I had the job, not her. She has since been without work for 6 weeks. All because of me. TellAFirstTimer
Name: Sharon
ResidentState: Tennessee
Specialty: Surgical ICU
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Not at present
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Healthforce (Ohio)
NonFriendlyHospital: Espanola Medical in New Mexico
Favoritecity: San Francisco California
LeastFavoriteCity: Albuquerque New Mexico
Date: 07 Sep 2010
Time: 14:24:31
FirstTravelNurseExperienceWent to a place called Doctor's Hospital in Lanam Hills Maryland. Had to share a two bedroom with a Canadian traveler, who hated Americans. She kept stealing my groceries, never to replace them. The job was supposed to be for 2nd shift, ICU. Was made to work midnite to 7 with a preggie charge nurse who'd run off all the regular staff and most agency prn, due to her nasty disposition. The docs were from foreign countries, and had no real idea what they were doing! as most researched at Nat.Institute of Health. Disasterous! Hated it!!! TellAFirstTimerBe Prepared! Take extra scrubs,jeans,boots for winter snows,laptop and cellphone with coverage to area. I like having an aircard and use Hulu for tv. take a small microwave if you don't have one in apartment. Take a large totebag for carrying your lunch and whatever, for work. You won't get a locker. Keep your money/credit card with you and on you with travel belt under clothes. Have some spare cash too. Have some way to lock up anything valuable in your car, under the seat, not noticeable. Carry something to make it look as if you have someone in car with you, with a hat on, while driving. Never drive after dark on way to assignment. If sleepy, park in restaurant parking lots at truck stops in full view, or all night McD's or Walmarts, for naps. Carry a car clock to wake you up or set your cellphone. Always lock all your doors, even in daytime, in or out of car! Have a big knife or heavy hammer in car to use if you need out of seatbelt or window, in case of accident. Try to drive with traffic, not isolated, if possible. Pace yourself on the road and at the hospital. Smile, but be wary. Some people try to find out things to use against you. Jealousy is rampant. You need to keep your business private. Tell nothing about yourself if possible, other than basics. I'm from ... state. Period. Talk about your cat, not your boyfriend. Do not tell what you make. Hope at least the staffing person will give you a decent schedule. Pray...hard. You need all the support you can get. Keep a daily notebook on who you took care of, and any discussions or problems you had with staff or whomever. Its a tough world in some places. Keep aware when you have to go to the parking area. Get security to walk you out if need be. Better safe than sorry. Oh.. and, if someone is really nice..they may actually ask you to go to lunch with them. Just be aware you are there to make money and see the area on your own time.
Name: Debbie
ResidentState: Utah
Specialty: operating room
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Nightingale
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Nightingale
NonFriendlyHospital: Douglas Wyoming Memorial Hospital of Converse County
Favoritecity: Fort Defiance Arizona
LeastFavoriteCity: Douglas Wyoming
Date: 05 Nov 2010
Time: 14:19:03
FirstTravelNurseExperienceThe permanent staff at Douglas Wyoming are very difficult to work with, the manager actually physically put her hands on me, insulted me in front of other staff members on many occasions. I was told I was allowed to go #1 in the bathroom but had to wait till I got home to go #2. The manager is only there four months out of the year due to being either snowed in or traveling with the rodeo!!!! One of the male nurse anesthesia provider would ram my fingers and run feet over on purpose. I almost left the operating room due to the treatment I recieved at MHCC. The people are mean and the town is racist. TellAFirstTimer
Do your homework on which companies are good and which are bad. Don't
do like I did and take the first one who offers you a job. I love the
hospital that Nightingale sent me to, but nightingale will not pay you
correctly. I have had to call them several times, and I know others
that work for them that have had the same problem.
Name: Emily
ResidentState: GA
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Nurses in Partnership
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Yes, Nurses in Partnership. I have worked two contracts with NIP and they were late on our rent all five months. Two out of the five months were late to the point of eviction notices and legal action. The worst part of it all, NIP didn't seem to think it was a big deal when I called and told the CFO. The housing department kept telling me," Don't worry, its taken care of." Meanwhile I'm stressing out because the apartment complex is sending employees with eviction papers knocking on our door. The last week of my assignment for NIP, we received the voided check on Dec. 10th, which was supposed to pay November's rent. The check was voided by the complex because a lawsuit had already been filed. The moral of this story is: Nurses in Partnership is not reliable for providing housing for its travelers. There is no excuse for what happened. The CFO stated that it was because the check for our rent was always in the last 'batch' of things to be mailed off. And yet the complex didn't receive the check until more than a month after it was due? Sounds to me like they should fire the person who handles their bills, they could have saved $300 on late fees for our apartment alone, Absolutely rediculous.
NonFriendlyHospital: No
Favoritecity: I've only worked in one so far and I wouldn't say its my favorite. Los Angeles for two contracts simply for convenience of staying in one spot.
LeastFavoriteCity: N/A
Date: 11 Dec 2010
Time: 17:22:47
FirstTravelNurseExperienceThey gave me four days to get used to the job, apparently longer than most travelers get. It took me a few weeks to get used to the hospital and the doctors. The some of the nightshift staff at West Hills hospital weren't nice to me at first and essentially told me I was slow on my first night off orientation. Things got better though. I guess you just have to grin and bare it. TellAFirstTimerDon't start contacting agents until a month in advance of traveling. They will ring your phone off the hook!
Name: Cathy
ResidentState: CA
Specialty: Med/Surg
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: Supplemental
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Valley Healthcare Systems
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: San Francisco, CA
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 25 Dec 2010
Time: 16:43:18
FirstTravelNurseExperienceWhen with Valley Healthcare Systems, when I and other RNs made ourselves available for the day shift, their staffing people would call us at just after midnight, 0130, and 0230 to ask if we wanted an assignment. It was next to impossible to get back to sleep plus scary to receive a call that early. Complaints to our recruiter didn't help. We ended up leaving our assignments, which we weren't obtaining enough work at to live on, anyway.
Also, there were chronic problems at the facilities we worked at with faxing our time sheets to Valley and Valley stating they didn't get them. Thus, our paychecks would be delayed plus they made us contact the facility to ask them to fax the time sheets again--very embarrassing. Would NOT recommend them. TellAFirstTimerSearch the Internet for comments in forums such as the ones found here and other sites to see what others have written about a company before signing up with them. You might save yourself a lot of frustration and aggravation.
Name: Destiny
ResidentState: FL
Specialty: EMERGENCY ROOM
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: AMN
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: NO
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: California San Diego
LeastFavoriteCity: South Bronx
Date: 20 Jan 2011
Time: 10:41:56
FirstTravelNurseExperience assignment in SOuth Bronx. HORRIBLE. DR's are nasty. Pt to nurse ratio is 15-25:1. SO UNSAFE. You will have a total of 35 pt's within your 12 hr shift. NO time to Document. If you are not "hood" enough they will eat u alive. Dangerous pt's and no Panic Buttons. They will make u work in psyche, 10 crazy pt's to one nurse. I want to run out of there so fast but stuck in contract with a very unhelpful recruiter. TellAFirstTimerALWAYS AKS the REAL nurse pt ratio. U dont want to put yourself in a very unsafe situation. If you are going to a hospital that is majority staffed with travelers that is saying something about the hospital, they cant keep staff for a reason. Its all about your recruiter, if you have any hesitancy with them GET a NEW ONE. IT might make them mad but oh well its your life and your license. If u are going to an unsafe area (like south bronx) they will try to give you a swing shift 3-3, 12-12. Tell them no its unsafe and they will switch it. Be Stern
Name: Tiffany
ResidentState: NC
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: PRCS
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Trustaff
NonFriendlyHospital: Havasu Regional Medical Center
Favoritecity: Visalia, CA
LeastFavoriteCity: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Date: 27 Jan 2011
Time: 02:28:43
FirstTravelNurseExperienceMy first travel nursing experience was a nightmare. My housing was horrible and my contract got cancelled due to miscommunication and the agency didn't back me up...then left me stranded and I had to pay to go back home. TellAFirstTimerDo your research on the agencies you are considering. I am with my 4th agency now and very pleased with them. They look out for my best interest.
Name: carole
ResidentState: missouri
Specialty: home health and hospice
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: supplemental healthcare
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: lrs healthcare omaha nebraska
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: denver colorado
LeastFavoriteCity: santa clara ca
Date: 28 Jan 2011
Time: 21:22:26
FirstTravelNurseExperienceapartment, walked in, bed made, table set, linens hanging in bathroom at foothills of rockie mountains assignment home health first choice hh in denver staff warm friendly and professional extended from 13 weeks to 17 weeks best travel assignment you could ever have.. ppr healthcare from florida was travel agency, recruiter lindsey is SUPER TellAFirstTimer
Don't over pack take only what you absolutely need. you soon find what is wanted and what is important are totally at the opposite end of your suitcase
Name: Jane
ResidentState: NC
Specialty: Labor & Delivery
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: Trinity Healthcare Staffing Group
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: Cape Fear Vally Medical Hospital, NC
Favoritecity: Washington, NC
LeastFavoriteCity: Fayetteville, NC
Date: 04 Feb 2011
Time: 01:29:28
FirstTravelNurseExperienceMy first travel assignment was in Homer, Alaska, making it " a dream come true". I went to work in L&D , which is my speciality, but I ended up working on the Med-Surg. unit approx. 1/2 of my 13 weeks; that was somewhat disappointing. They only had 20 + deliveries a month. The majority of the staff was somewhat travel friendly The money was great at that time. I was traveling with Trinity Healthcare SG, which was the company I have traveled with the majority of my travel experience. During this assignemnt I meet the nicest nurse and she was very helpful and knowledgable; we became friends and keep in touch even now, mostly email. During my 13 wks. I had the opportunity to do so PRN in Bethel Ak. and that was quiet an experience. I was able to meet and work with other travelers and work with the Native Americans and Eskimos. My recuiters have been very supportive. TellAFirstTimerChose a outstanding travel agency and a highly recommended recruiter. Next the package! money (top pay) housing ect. .There not that much difference in the other perks.
Name: Joseph
ResidentState: PA
Specialty: Dialysis
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: Axis
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: ADEX
NonFriendlyHospital: Porterville Outpatient Clinic
Favoritecity: Santa Rosa, CA
LeastFavoriteCity: Ontario, CA
Date: 14 Feb 2011
Time: 00:16:50
FirstTravelNurseExperienceAs a beginning travel dialysis nurse in 2002 I first worked in Philadelphia, PA 90 miles from home. It was a large 65 station unit in Crozier Medical Center. I extended another 13 weeks. The staff was exceptionally friendly. I then flew out to California for two years until 2005. I had my new car I left in PA trucked to me at Newport Beach, CA. I drove home in 2005 worked that summer then drove back to California working there, Arizona and Nevada. TellAFirstTimerYes, first stay near home and don't be surprised if you're told to work different locations and the job description doesn't match what's on your contract. On a recent assignment when I arrived at the Extended Stay in Ontario, CA ADEX screwed up my reservation and I had to pay and did the same on the last day. They pay peanuts! I was told an acceptable compensation rate then she changed the rate. Davita Ontarion was deceptive and untrustworthy by not up front about my travel itinerary. My contract stated I'd work at three local hospitals and one 50 miles away up Route 15 through the El Cajon Pass. I battled record torrential rains, fog and sat 3.5 hours in traffic coming south on Route 15 in Victorville, CA after leaving work 0430, a 17 hour day.
I cannot recommend working at Davita Ace Acutes in Ontario, California.
Name: Debra
ResidentState: TN
Specialty: Medical ICU
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Suite Is Fine
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Nurse Choice
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: TruStaff
NonFriendlyHospital: Rhode Island Hosp in Providence, RI
Favoritecity: Tucson, AZ or Albuquerque
LeastFavoriteCity: Providence, RI & New Haven, CT
Date: 18 Feb 2011
Time: 11:05:06
FirstTravelNurseExperienceNew Orleans, Lots of fun things to do and lots of travel nurses interested in doing fun things. TellAFirstTimerRealize you can't go in & DEMAND things your way. Be flexible and have fun. Don't gripe all the time.
Name: Janice
ResidentState: California
Specialty: L&D
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: ADVANTAGE RN
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: TG HEALTHCARE
NonFriendlyHospital: SEARHC Sitka alaska
Favoritecity: LOVE SITKA hated the hospital SEARHC
LeastFavoriteCity: NONE YET
Date: 19 Feb 2011
Time: 15:58:08
FirstTravelNurseExperienceLoved Sitka. The hospital however was horrible. Hospital was understaffed and the manager changed the rules to fit her purpuse, nothing was ever the same. More then 3/4 of the Perm Employees quit when this manager came on to staff because of the way they were treated. Loved to work over time but hated the fact she demanded after working 48hrs, 12hrs more then required to work,that you had to be on call 2 more 8hrs shifts. Asking is great and would always do it, but demand it, forget it.There was an issue that is now reported to the Nursing Boards, but the hospital and TGHealthcare did not back me up on and my contract was terminated for conflict of interest, me and my family were basically stuck in Alaska with no help from the company or the hospital. I worked an extended contract and was totally right to report what was reported, totally illegal and patient safety was a major issue... all they needed to do was drug test and I would have been proven right! TellAFirstTimerResearch your area well, taking the stipend is way better then letting them provide you housing. I was charged to the end of my contract and they took my whole check. If you end up like I did, you will find yourself up a creek! Don't be afraid to ask questions to your recruiter, they should be honest, my first one was the greatest and he was let go, the company lied as to why he left the company and I was given to another person, the owner of the company, who never listened always talked over me, and lied about everything. listen to your inner voice, if the recruiter sends up any red flags.
I cannot recommend working with them! Read your contract very carefully and if something doesn't sound right, don't sign it until it reads what you want, they will rush you on this...tell you they have to hurry. Don't just trust something was said will be given to you such as bonuses, they need to be written. The company you work for are great in the beginning, you are their paycheck, but the hospital is also their money source, find a company that will back you up with any and all problems. love love love my job and I am way to trusting...please learn from my mistakes and look out for you and your family...
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