| Name: Jeannine
ResidentState:
Specialty: Peds - ni, pi, er
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: All About Staffing
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Doctors Regional in Corpus Christi, Texas
Favoritecity:
LeastFavoriteCity:
FirstTravelNurseExperience
CCDr's Regional is my first assignment and it has been horrible ....I could/can not
believe it!!! but my company has been great they got me outta there ....and found me a new
position in about 10 mins .....I've read alot of bad things about AAS but for me in this
instance they came through for me big time.
TellAFirstTimer
Be flexible but don't take any crap!
Name: Gloria
ResidentState:
Specialty: CVICU
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Compassionate Care
SwitchCompanies: Select One
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Brockton, Massachusetts
Favoritecity: San Francisco, California
LeastFavoriteCity: Miriam, Rhode Island
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Her first travel assignment was a strike at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angels, CA.
It was a great experience in terms of money, but not so good in terms of dealing with the
anger experienced from the nurses on strike. I was use to working days, and the assignment
was for nights. There were no days off. I was completely dependent on the van of the
travel agency to get me around. I did enjoy the lodging accommodations and the excitement
of being on standby to board a plane to fly out to a city I had always wanted to see and
be in a state I had always dreamed of seeing. Although, I did not have a lot of time to
see LA, our group did find time to go and see Hollywood, and have lunch there…. I
enjoyed it so much, and made more money in 4 nights of work, than I made in 2 weeks at my
job in Dallas. After that I came home and gave my 2 weeks notice and started traveling.
That was April of 2000, and I am still traveling.
TellAFirstTimer
Her advice to a first time traveler includes: I think that a traveler needs to be more
flexible and open to change. In terms of orientation, well that is nice and should be
considered like icing on a cake; meaning it makes the cake taste a bit better, but without
it...it is still the cake...another words...whether they tell you how things work or where
things are it is still work!! They are short and they need you to be able to pick up the
ball and run with it...and that is the bottom line...remember what I said about being,
flexible? I have learned that there are nurses who don't like me, not because of who I am,
but because of how much more money they think that I am making. I have learned that first
impressions really do matter. That one staff nurse can make or break you.
Also, I have learned that it can be very lonesome traveling. That sometimes this
loneliness can drive you to participate in activities you never thought you were capable
of. You have to learn to do what is expected of you, above and beyond what the staff
nurses expect of themselves, even if they have not told you that before or not. Sometimes,
the work load is so heavy that you feel that you are not going to be able to bear one more
moment at this assignment...and there is really no one that you can share that with. If
you do they will see you as a complainer, and weak...in my experience I usually saw a
change in the way they would treat me from that time on. So, from then on I kept my
comments to myself. Trusting no one but myself! It has worked for me. I have found that
some nurses are in competition with me; to prove some how that they are superior. I do not
participate in their silly antics. The competition regarding knowledge and skill is always
so prevalent.
When your assignment is over...it is nice if the facility asks you to extend, but not
essential for your self-esteem. You must feel good in the good and the bad that you
accomplished on this assignment, and you are the best judge of that. Even if you feel that
you have done a good job, sometimes there are nurses who do not want you to be there and
work very hard to sabotage you. I want to end this by talking about the recruiters out
there. I have worked with a couple of really good recruiters. It is true that if they are
willing to work with you, it will be a good experience, but it goes both ways also. I have
learned that if a recruiter does not return my calls or my email that it is best to get a
new recruiter or a new agency. I usually give them one chance now, and then if it happens
twice... I move on. Lost time can sometimes be the difference between not getting the
money and assignment that you were hoping for.
I think that if I had not traveled I would not be a nurse any longer. The time that I
have been traveling has taught me so many things about being a nurse. It has improved my
confidence, taught me what to ask for, how to ask for it...and when to ask it...and even
more important. I am worth it! Don't let them intimidate you! Have confidence in your
nursing skills! Thanks for listening...and the best of luck to you!!!
Name: Melissa
ResidentState: Oregon
Specialty: OB, Neonatal, Pediatrics
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Two+ Bedrooms, don't mind paying some
TravelingYears: 10+ years...
NOWTravelCompany:
SwitchCompanies: Select One
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Dorchester Community Hospital
Favoritecity: Corpus Christi, Texas
LeastFavoriteCity: Cambridge, Maryland
FirstTravelNurseExperience
We went from Portland Oregon to Cambridge Maryland. The security officer met me and
drove me around town and told me what streets I could walk down and what streets I
couldn't. It was the most bigoted town in the world. But, I learned that if you just hold
your peace, even BAD assignments will come to an end.”
TellAFirstTimer
plan on doing more than just working. In one town, my husband and I discovered a
walking tour. The tour took us along the same paths that runaway slaves took to escape to
freedom. When I went to work and told 'the locals', they didn't even know the walking tour
(in their town) existed! Also, don't discuss what the agency is paying you. It makes the
local nurses resent you.
Name: Amanda
ResidentState: MS
Specialty: Surgery
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: Two+ Bedrooms, don't mind paying some
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Cirrus Medical Staffing
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: RN Network
NonFriendlyHospital: Johnston Memorial in Smithfield, NC
Favoritecity: Dayton, Ohio !!!!
LeastFavoriteCity: Smithfield, NC
Date: 23 Dec 2004
Time: 21:06:23
FirstTravelNurseExperience
The hospital was great. They so wanted me there, and really made me feel like I would like to be a permanent staffer. Travel nursing, however, has a greater pull for me. I like the wages, time off, and I can put up with anything for 13 weeks! TellAFirstTimer
If you are adaptable, dependable, think on your feet, and are willing to work, travel nursing just may be the perfect job for you. Keep a notebook handy, and always find out who, what, where, when, and how much about
everything. (That includes jobs, hospitals, paperwork, taxes,
benefits, expectations, reimbursements, bonuses, contracts, and anything
else you can think of). Get an accountant, keep a file cabinet, make a
mileage log (for tax deductions!), and save receipts! Your recruiter can be
your best friend or your worst nightmare; make sure you know what to do if
things go wrong. I highly recommend visiting
cirrusmedicalstaffing.com
Name: MA
ResidentState: NM
Specialty: OR
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: ams
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: HCA Oak Hill- Spring Hill Florida
Favoritecity: Socorro, NM
LeastFavoriteCity: Espanola, NM
Date: 12 Jan 2005
Time: 10:05:32
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Socorro, NM for 9 months. Went hiking, riding and fossil hunting. Rustled cactus, checked out the birding scene and the great restaurants in the area. After 1 year of eating chili's, finally swore off of them.
Great area, everyone is friendly and waves to you on the road. Patients are nice. Hospital small and easy to work with. TellAFirstTimer
Keep on your recruiter, make sure they work for
their share of you pay. Don't be a complainer and go with the flow as long
as it is positive. Set an example if you can of a professional most of all.
Do not get involved in politics! Don't stay longer and if you do take weeks off between extensions.
Name: SUSAN
ResidentState: NEW MEXICO
Specialty: OR
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: TVL HEALTHCARE
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: NOVA PRO
NonFriendlyHospital: GEORGETOWN MEMORIAL, GEORGETOWN, SC
Favoritecity: TUCSON, ARIZONA
LeastFavoriteCity: GEORGETOWN, SC
Date: 30 Jan 2005
Time: 12:43:38
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Horrible. The hospital was in an isolated community and very much
behind the times in theory. The surgeons were basically bad. It
was the longest thirteen weeks of my life! TellAFirstTimer
Be
flexible and polite. You are a guest, even if you tell yourself, "I'll
never come back here." Remember that circumstances change; don't
burn your bridges. Find outside activities to de-stress yourself on a
bad assignment. Keep your salary to yourself or discuss it with other
travelers for comparison only. I have recruited other RNs for my
company this way, because they pay so well and they treat their nurses well.
Name: patricia garner
ResidentState: Georgia
Specialty: med/surg
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: no
NonFriendlyHospital: no
Favoritecity: Santa Barbara
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 01 Feb 2005
Time: 20:36:23
FirstTravelNurseExperienceThe first experience was a real learning experience. The staff were not very friendly at first,by the time I left it had improved. TellAFirstTimerVisit the forums and learn everything you can. Decide what is really important to you and do not settle for
less, there are to many opportunities out there. Interview many companies and stick to your guns. And remember if they are offering big bucks and bonuses you probably do not want to go there.
Name: patricia garner
ResidentState: Georgia
Specialty: med/surg
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: no
NonFriendlyHospital: no
Favoritecity: Santa Barbara
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 01 Feb 2005
Time: 20:36:24
FirstTravelNurseExperience
The first experience was a real learning experience. The staff were not very friendly at
first, by the time I left it had improved. TellAFirstTimer
Visit the forums and learn everything you can. Decide what is really important to you and do not settle for
less, there are to many opportunities out there. Interview many companies and stick to your guns. And remember if they are offering big bucks and bonuses you probably do not want to go there.
Name: DIANE
ResidentState: FLORIDA
Specialty: TELE
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: ALL ABOUT STAFFING
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: PREFERRED HEALTHCARE STAFFING
NonFriendlyHospital: NO
Favoritecity: WEST PALM BEACH
LeastFavoriteCity: PLANTATION
Date: 06 Feb 2005
Time: 23:21:53
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Nervous with bad housing
TellAFirstTimerNo
Name: LINDA
ResidentState: TX
Specialty: SURGERY
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: Two+ Bedrooms, don't mind paying some
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH CARE STAFFING
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: YES.. AMS
NonFriendlyHospital: ESPANOLA NM
Favoritecity: ALBUQUERQUE NM
LeastFavoriteCity: ESPANOLA NM
Date: 10 Feb 2005
Time: 12:18:59
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Wonderful... was with Travel Nurse Across America. Left them
because A.M.S. offered me so much money... what a big mistake! I
am striving to have another experience just like the first one. TellAFirstTimer
Name: cynthia
ResidentState: illinois
Specialty: l&d
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany:
PPR
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: san francisco
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 14 Mar 2005
Time: 03:16:20
FirstTravelNurseExperiencegreat TellAFirstTimer
Name: JT
ResidentState: WV
Specialty: StepDown
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Avenutra Hospital in Miami/Aventura, FL
Favoritecity:
LeastFavoriteCity: Aventura FL
Date: 31 Mar 2005
Time: 20:15:21
FirstTravelNurseExperienceJust be honest and flexible!! TellAFirstTimer
IT was by far the worse place I have ever worked....Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in
Aventura, FL. The hospital is new and beautiful, but very disorganized!!! As as a traveler, you fit in,
because they can't keep staff there because of the way they treat them. I warn all travelers....if you want to be so understaffed that patient care is poor and dangerous....then go to
Aventura Hospital. The staff they have are wonderful, but overworked....and the travelers...such as myself.... are put into dangerous situations with terrible nurse to patient ratios. Also...the managers will lie to you just to get you to come there....so beware!!
Name: linda
ResidentState: md
Specialty: med/surg
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: none at the moment
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: cirrus
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: oakland
LeastFavoriteCity: crescent city , ca
Date: 04 Apr 2005
Time: 12:32:21
FirstTravelNurseExperience
i have been a nurse for a long
time. I had seen so many of patient's families not wanting to be involved that this was so great to see and work with other cultures that were and are totally involved in their families
no matter what, to be supportive ,remembering why
I wanted to be a nurse. I also enjoyed seeing parts of country in a great way. I met new friends
I will always remember. I think i grew in during this time in Oakland being on the other side of the country TellAFirstTimer
Find out where you are going to live , read your contract closely that it it
includes what was verbal or it isn't in the contract. Do not let any agency say
I don't have to put in a contract it is on our site , I can tell you it is not so.
Name: Pam
ResidentState: Mississippi
Specialty: Cardiac Cath Lab
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: AbettaCare
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: No,I have been very lucky
NonFriendlyHospital: No,I have been very lucky
Favoritecity: Denver/New York/Anchorage
LeastFavoriteCity: Greenbay,WI.
Date: 13 Apr 2005
Time: 17:33:18
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first assignment, St.Thomas,U.S.V.I, was a disaster !!! I worked 10 days in ICU and quit. Could have lost my license on any given day. I was left alone with Geriatric, Pediatric and GI bleeders with no meds or orders. Called the doctor for some direction. He returned my call three hours later and was DRUNK !! Told me to do what ever I thought best. That was six years ago and I understand things have improved. RLS hospital is now JACHO certified. They are in the process of opening a Cardiac Cath Lab and I have been contacted to return !!! MAYBE !!! PROBABLY !!! TellAFirstTimer
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER >>>>>>>>>>
1)Stay OUT of politics at the hospital
2)DO NOT try to change the protocol
3)Your way of doing things is probably different from the hospital where you are assigned>> ADJUST !!!!Do it there way !!!
4)NEVER take sides where there are differences in opinion concerning any issue.
5)Always do more than is expected of you.
6)There are always going to be "BAD" assignments out here. If there is any way possible ADJUST, you will be gone in a few weeks and those people will still be there having to deal with the miserable situation for a long,long time.
7)NO GOSSIP !!!!!!!!!
Just a few thoughts from a six year traveler. The rest will come through trial and error no matter how much research you do.
Good Luck, Pam
Name: Bonita
ResidentState: Va
Specialty: Telemetry/Stepdown
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Select One
NOWTravelCompany: Clinical One
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Medstaff
NonFriendlyHospital: Winter Park Memorial
Favoritecity: toss up- Las Vegas or LA
LeastFavoriteCity: New Orleans
Date: 22 Apr 2005
Time: 19:54:13
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first travel assignment was at Citrus Memorial in Inverness, Fla. It was a small hosp (less than 200 beds). It was a very travel friendly hosp but you float all over the hospital, the only place I did not float to was peds and that was because they did not have one. It was great. TellAFirstTimer
Be flexible and enjoy the ride. And remember if you absolutely hate a place, it is only for 13 weeks and we nurses can do anything for 13 weeks.:)
Name: Samuel
ResidentState: MS
Specialty: ED
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Valley Healthcare Systems
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: no
NonFriendlyHospital: no
Favoritecity: Sacramento, CA
LeastFavoriteCity: Bakersfield, CA
Date: 25 Apr 2005
Time: 00:47:38
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Difficult but doable! The hospital was not clear about standards of care and limits, therefore fulfilling their expectations was slow going at first. TellAFirstTimer
Beware! you are not there to make changes or correct any mistakes. Make sure you do not compare their hospital with any other you have been to - IN ANY WAY. Remember you get to leave when your contract is up the full time staff are there every day and no one likes to think they and/or their hospital are sub standard.
Name: Amy
ResidentState: Illinois
Specialty: tele icu stepdown
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Aureus
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Hazelcrest South Suburban near Chicago
Favoritecity: Denver
LeastFavoriteCity: Hazelcrest
Date: 27 Apr 2005
Time: 19:48:38
FirstTravelNurseExperience
The manager of the unit blatantly lied to me about what was the patient :nurse ratio. Ask for a worst case scenario. If it sounds too good to be true it is. TellAFirstTimerAsk to talk to any traveler on the unit currently. They don't lie. They know how easy it is to move on. Don't be afraid to make the most of it.
Name: Pat
ResidentState: NY
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Two+ Bedrooms, don't mind paying some
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: GlobalRN
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: American Mobile
NonFriendlyHospital: So far all have been great
Favoritecity: Atlantic City, Springfield, MA, All my CA jobs(Lancaster< Chino, Bakersfield)
LeastFavoriteCity: Wheeling, WV but was there with American Mobile
Date: 28 Apr 2005
Time: 00:15:45
FirstTravelNurseExperience
First travel job was a strike, never again. Almost didn't travel as a result. The replacement nurses carry a knife around to stick in your back. It was a horrible experience. The nurses on strike were fine. It was the ones I had to work with that were awful. All they wanted to do was put in hours. Come in, sign in, go home and friends cover for them. Never have I seen such dishonesty among nurses. TellAFirstTimer
Now that all I do is real travel assignments, I am having the time of my life.
I tell all new travelers to invest in a great digital camera to make memories and a good laptop to lug around.
As for work, you are there as a guest for 13 weeks. You aren't going to make any changes so don't stress about it. No gossip, no taking sides, no playing politics. Go have fun and enjoy the area and a different way of doing things. It is all good.
Name: JoAnn
ResidentState: Pa.
Specialty: Telemetry
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Cross Country
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: no
NonFriendlyHospital: Kaiser-West LA
Favoritecity: Glendale,Ca.
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 28 Apr 2005
Time: 12:05:01
FirstTravelNurseExperience
First assignment was with Trustaff at Glendale Memoral
Hospital was difficult at first, took awhile but staff warmed up and it was an
excellent hosp. with good ratios (are laws in Ca. mandating nurse/pt. ratios in specialties). TellAFirstTimer
Stand your ground and don't take any crap. Beware of Kaiser Hosp. in west LA, they have certainly earned
their reputation for treating travel nurses terribly. Took 3 hours for stat labs, there were never any supplies and if you needed a med were told to come down and get it from Pharmacy-when you had a terrible assignment and no cnas or ward clerks. Only good thing I can say about it were the Drs. were very nice.
If a hospital offers a big bonus.... beware.
Name: Nurse K
ResidentState: OH
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Vita Medical
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: American Mobile
NonFriendlyHospital: Aventura Medical Center
Favoritecity: Dayton, OH
LeastFavoriteCity: Aventura, FL
Date: 11 May 2005
Time: 14:07:29
FirstTravelNurseExperience
I was scared....but overall it was a great experience. Nurses treated me well. Manager was great. TellAFirstTimer
Stay away from Aventura Hospital. I totally agree with the traveler above. I worked with All About Staffing as agency and went to the ER. It was a nightmare. The charge nurses were terrible. I have never been treated so badly in all my years of nursing. I would not want my family to be a patient there...it is dangerous. Some of the staff nurses were great, but, leadership needs a class or two.
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