|
Name: Mary
ResidentState: OH
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Two+ Bedrooms, don't mind paying some
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: O'Grady Peyton
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: MSN Nursing
NonFriendlyHospital: AVENTURA HOSPITAL
Favoritecity: Houston, Tx
LeastFavoriteCity: Aventura, FL
Date: 11 May 2005
Time: 22:24:41
FirstTravelNurseExperienceGREAT!!!!! TellAFirstTimer
Beware as the above travelers have stated......I just found this website and I couldn't agree more with what they have said about Aventura....BY FAR THE WORST PLACE I HAVE EVER WORKED! Disorganization..... BE careful. The whole place needs re-vamped.........Top to bottom!
Name: Adele
ResidentState: AL
Specialty: NICU, PICU
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Med Staff
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Select Medical
NonFriendlyHospital: No, I'm very lucky
Favoritecity: Honolulu HI
LeastFavoriteCity: I'm very lucky
Date: 14 May 2005
Time: 14:33:03
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first was in Lafayette Louisiana on TELE the staff was really happy I was there. There were no unrealistic expectations, docs were great. Lab Radiology and Pharmacy were the best! I would go back! TellAFirstTimer
Do not get involved in politics don't suggest policy but you need to know what their policies are. Don't discuss your agency with anyone but other
travelers and alone. And always remember if it's too good to be true it is. A big bonus means YOU WILL EARN IT! And also remember you can do anything for 13 weeks.
Name: Patricia
ResidentState: Florida
Specialty: Critical Care
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: Medical Staffing Solutions
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Preffered Healthcare Staffing
NonFriendlyHospital: Wuesthoff Hospital, Rockledge Florida
Favoritecity: Great Falls, Montana
LeastFavoriteCity: haven't had one yet
Date: 23 May 2005
Time: 23:07:29
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Well my anxiety level was so high before my first travel assignment that I went to my MD with chest pain and insisted on a cardiac workup before I hit the road for fear I would have a Heart Attack on my first day of work at the new facility all the way across the country. He sent me home with Buspar, which I only needed to take until my second day on the job. I went to Great Falls, Montana and the people were so friendly and supportive that it made my mind up, traveling was definitely the way to go for me. Because my husband and I travel with RV (5th Wheel) we always have our home away from home. And we have seen many beautiful National Parks, one of my priorities for traveling. I have not visited all the sites I want to yet, and that means I am not done traveling. But I am taking a respite to do some recruiting for my company. The only problem with my new job, is I want to be the one going to all the places I am offering to my clients. TellAFirstTimer
Just Do It!!! Be Flexible, and Have Fun. There are so
many things to see and do when you travel, do not let money be your only
motivator. Get to know and enjoy the people you work with, I have made some
lifelong friends with people I met while traveling. Enjoy your life and live
it fully everyday, always find something good to remember each day. And this
country is very large, there is so much to see and do, so have fun while you
work, it makes working more worthwhile. I can tolerate a lot when I can go
have fun or see some new and exciting place on my days off. Enjoy!!
Name: JEAN
ResidentState: NEVADA
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Suite Is Fine
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: AFFSTFAST
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: YES
NonFriendlyHospital: YES
Favoritecity: LEBANON,NH
LeastFavoriteCity: BURLINTON,VERMONT
Date: 26 May 2005
Time: 03:56:50
FirstTravelNurseExperience
It was excellent. The hospital was extremely traveler friends, and the
manager helped in every way that she could. TellAFirstTimer
Be very careful about taking an assignment far from home. I have heard
many horror stories about being stuck someplace because the hospital
cancelled the contract.
Name: Julie
ResidentState: LA
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: RNNetwork
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: Bellflower
Favoritecity: Ranch Mirage, CA
LeastFavoriteCity: San Jose, CA
Date: 03 Jun 2005
Time: 23:25:41
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first travel experience was at a teaching hospital. It was my first contact with medical students and residents. It was an eye opening experience.
I had to prove myself to the staff. Going from an ER where I was the mentor to having to prove myself and skills was intimidating and frustrating. It was hard to step back and realize that things can be done differently, some more effective and many not as effective, as what I was used to doing.
Most of the nursing staff was young and inexperienced. Being older was a disadvantage at this facility. Socially I did not fit in. This bothered at first but quickly vanished.
Looking back, my first assignment was a positive experience. TellAFirstTimer
Just remember, as a traveler you are only there to work, not to change anything. The staff can get defensive if you tell them "Where I am from we do it
differently." You are on their territory. I have seen many travelers fail because of this.
Name: Marleen
ResidentState: az
Specialty: er
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: Nightingale
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: So far NO
NonFriendlyHospital: Desert Palm Springs
Favoritecity: All of them
LeastFavoriteCity: Palm Springs you have to golf or be gay!!
Date: 05 Jun 2005
Time: 05:02:40
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Back
in 1991, I went to Patty A clay Hospital in Richmond KY, small place great people gem of a job, stay 7 months/ TellAFirstTimer
Yes Yes yes the best way to see the country then the world. You meet the best people and can have a blast doing your dream.
Name: MARIA
ResidentState: MI
Specialty: ER
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: AUREUS MEDICAL(great so far)
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: NURSES RX-NURSES ARE A NUMBER
NonFriendlyHospital: LUCKY SO FAR
Favoritecity: DENVER
LeastFavoriteCity: FT.LAUDERDALE- I NEED PARKS AND RECS
Date: 05 Jul 2005
Time: 19:10:58
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first assignment was great with Holy Cross Hospital.
Travel friendly and wanted me to extend. They did not do personal
issues. The hospital was a big unorganized, but everyone was really
nice including the doctors. If I liked Florida enough, I would go back
to Holy Cross Hospital. I made a handful of friends, but did not like
my recruiter. She never called me back. The hospital made me
feel very welcomed! I enjoyed my first assignment. TellAFirstTimer
Talk to other travel nurses and get a hold of a couple
travel nurse magazines. Breath and hold on for the time of your life.
I'm living my dream and loving it. Don't go with the attitude that you
are better or know more. Not all assignment are bad.
Talk to other travelers. Get out and enjoy the
place you're at. Don't be afraid to switch companies. The need
you much more than you need them.
Name: marie
ResidentState: ca
Specialty: med-surg/hospice
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: Suite Is Fine
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: preferred
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: prefered
NonFriendlyHospital: saddleback memorial laguna hills ca
Favoritecity: mission viejo
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 27 Jul 2005
Time: 08:00:40
FirstTravelNurseExperience
I took the first company assignment offered to me. Later on the same day I got 2 other calls. I should have waited. The nursing staff was wonderful and unless you told them they thought you were staff just like they were. The nurse manager and Com were another story.
Most of them were non-smiling , sarcastic, and kept the office door locked which which made them seem unavailable. The nurse manager never returned my phone calls, never answered my
notes, never shows up on my shift. It was a very isolating experience.
The lack of organization is the way they kept track of assignments added to the stress level. I was told they would meet staffing ratios on med-surg of 5-1 but they did not on
several occasions. The travel company told me there would always be a clinical resource nurse avail. yet when I needed one when I was given an unsafe assignment. I call answering service and never got a call back. Then the hospital without warning terminated me after 12 hr shift. TellAFirstTimer
Make sure you have a clause in your contract that states if the hospital backs out of contract without cause they pay all charges. Also refuse to start work till the contract is just the way you want it. If possible have staffing ratios,
scheduling written into contract.
Name: anon
ResidentState: Texas
Specialty: Picu, Nicu, Peds
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany:
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Medstaff
NonFriendlyHospital: Doctor's Regional Med Center, Phoenix Children's
Favoritecity: Seattle
LeastFavoriteCity: Corpus Christi
Date: 28 Jul 2005
Time: 05:56:22
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Hospital was great with friendly staff but Medstaff lied, lied and more lies. nickel and dime you. take money for drug test without telling. They state they don't pay for pre-employment tests but never have
I experienced it since, 5 years later TellAFirstTimer
Compare, compare, compare-make a spreadsheet with what each company tells you about their benefits and everything important to you. Look that over carefully.
Name: Debbie
ResidentState: Idaho
Specialty: Med/Surg
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 3
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: American Mobile
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: This is my first traveler assignment
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: I love California, the nurse/patient ratio is awesome!
LeastFavoriteCity: Caldwell, ID
Date: 06 Sep 2005
Time: 20:05:03
FirstTravelNurseExperience
I am just about to finish my first assignment so my story is not complete...
However, I had a defining moment last night when I was floated to the Oncology unit with no oncology experience. On top of that, I discovered I would only be there for 4 hrs and then be sent to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (I am a med/surg nurse from a small town hospital in Idaho). In the middle of those first 4 hours I was so close to tears as I struggled to care for my patients properly. I thought to myself "welcome to the real world of travel nursing, the honeymoon is now officially over" Up until that time my assignment had seemed idyllic.
However, a reassessment this morning found me still thinking this travel nursing is a good thing, a good choice for myself and my husband. I will be doing some research on oncology and BMT and turn this into an opportunity for growth. No one promised me this would be a piece of cake, but I still feel it is definitely worth it! TellAFirstTimer
Make sure you interview the nurse manager of the hospital you are considering...ask them more questions than they ask
you. Develop a list of questions and decide what is the most important reason for taking the assignment.
Name: Jennifer
ResidentState: California
Specialty: med/surg
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: Medstaff
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: Medstaff
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: Honolulu, HI
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 14 Sep 2005
Time: 03:55:07
FirstTravelNurseExperience
First travel experience living in LA, Marina del Rey and working in Beverly Hills at Cedar Sinai absolutely amazing and scared to death at the same time!!! Paid was really good 36/hr with
awesome one bedroom furnished paid for apartment. LA was to superficial for me but i had a blast shopping and partying in Hollywood!!! Travel nursing is so liberating. It makes you feel like you can do anything. TellAFirstTimer
Research companies before committing to one. I did not research and
I have been stuck with Medstaff who suck bigtime!! They don't even pay for utilities which every other
company does. They have lied to me and left me stranded at the border to
fend for myself when coming from Canada to San Diego. I have been with them
one year but looking for another company.
Name: pauline
ResidentState: alabama
Specialty: rn med surg/post partum
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: nursing innovations
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany:
NonFriendlyHospital: needles, only because of staffing,
Favoritecity: santa barbara
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 25 Sep 2005
Time: 16:11:10
FirstTravelNurseExperience
my first assignment was in a town called needles, ca. Which is a small hospital with 35 beds.. only one medical floor, so you would have peds,mother/baby and gen med/surg all at the same time. There were very rarely any cna's at night and I was frequently in charge and sometimes with ONLY lvns that were NOT iv certified. But, with that said, the people were very friendly, took me in as one of their own, gave me a big party when I left. It had some issues, but it was still a good first travel assignment because I didn't feel like my license was in jeopardy because the patients who were really sick got transferred out. So, all things considered.. it was a good experience. TellAFirstTimer
I had to experience living in a hotel for myself. I don't recommend it. Yes, you get your room cleaned and you don't have to worry about your company getting back their security deposit, but you can't control what time of day they clean your room. That's important if you work at night. Another thing is people are more active in the daytime(a night worker's sleeptime)and it is very noisy. But then again if you work dayshift, it may not be so bad.
Name:
ResidentState:
Specialty:
MoneyImportance: 4
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: medstaffinc
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: yes
NonFriendlyHospital: corona medical center corona californa
Favoritecity: phoenix az
LeastFavoriteCity: corona ca.
Date: 25 Sep 2005
Time: 18:01:20
FirstTravelNurseExperience
disastrous. Seemed like every thing came crashing down on you from the time you get report off of a piece of paper til you go home at night. hospital not traveler friendly. can not make mistakes , any kind of mistakes. papers disappear. employs tie up the phones when needed for work related problems like calling the doctor. all in all ,
disastrous place to work. TellAFirstTimerbe prepared for criticism, hard work and fast pace work time.. over whelming at times. most times. people and nurses do not always welcome you.
Name: NO NAME
ResidentState: NC
Specialty: SURGERY
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 6-10 years
NOWTravelCompany: ELITE....GREAT RECRUITER!
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: FIRST ASSIST, INC
NonFriendlyHospital: HOLMES REGIONAL MELBOURNE,FL; SHANDS, GAINESVILLE,FL; ST. FRANCIS CHARLESTON,SC;
Favoritecity: BRADENTON, FL; ORMOND BEACH,FL; NASHVILLE,TN;
LeastFavoriteCity: GAINESVILLE,FL; CHARLESTON,SC
Date: 31 Oct 2005
Time: 14:18:21
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first assignment was in Deland, FL, in a Birthcare
Center. The staff for the most part was great. Always have to
have that 1 or 2 that make life miserable for everybody. I worked 3 12
hour shift and had the rest of the time to go to the beach and roam around
Daytona Beach. I renewed a second contract. I have been
traveling since 1999 and love it. Each assignment has it's up and
down's. You just trade a little of this for a little of that. I
agree with the others on here that you sometimes have to go with the flow.
Sometimes you just can't give up your work ethic, honesty and especially
sterile technique for the sake of that old saying that all facilities have,
"that is just the way we do it here." That is crap. I will never
compromise patient care and sterile technique for anybody! That is
when it is time to move on, when a facility puts your license on the line. TellAFirstTimer
Compare companies! When you decide where you want
to travel, call several companies and compare rates, benefits and housing.
Make sure you hours, benefits, hourly rate, time off, and on call, etc...
are on the contract! Check out your housing as soon as you get the
address. Call the local police department, better business bureau, and
ask around. Not all housing is in safe areas... area you want to
live in! Companies are out for themselves, generally. They are
out there to make money off of you! Most all companies I have worked
for will not take up for you when you have problems at the facility!!
The are not going to put their contract on the line for you!
The assignment in Melbourne, FL... they hated
travelers there and hid food from us, told us to our faces that they hated
travelers. Charleston, SC... I had 2
staff members talk to me the whole time I was there. The place was
like a tomb. Ormond Beach was a great assignment for a
while. There was a select bunch of staff that saw to it that travelers
got all the crap cases and they bad mouthed the travelers to the doctors.
The docs were great and most of the staff was too. I have heard that
most of the bad eggs are gone now! No direction in management there at
all. The town is great and the job doable. The
best assignment I ever had was at Chapel Hill, NC. The staff made you
feel so welcome. They included you in everything and wanted you to
feel a part of the teams. SHANDS, in Gainsville, FL...
Hummm let me put it this way, if you are not a real seasoned person
and tough on the exterior you will never make it here. The technology
is the best that I have ever seen, but the doctors are the meanest and most
hateful that I have ever seen and the staff is the worst to work with.
By the time my contract was almost over, I was welcomed by some of the staff
that never knew they had a traveler. HA! There are no welcome's
here... No orientation at all... And the the technology is way
over the heads of most. I think the thing I am
the sickest about in healthcare is the fact that the new graduates, the
young bunch don't have a work ethic and manners are lacking. The seem
not to have a clue as to why they are at work. They mostly think that
they are there to socialize and be cute. Patient care... what is
that? Attitudes! Management anymore is a thing of the past.
So, if you are looking for a good time only, take a vacation. IF you
are looking for a career in healthcare, and are sincere about patient and
want to see the world, get some good experience under your belt and travel.
It is great and the way to go. I would highly recommend it. And
please healthcare workers and recruiters... check the experience level
and confirm that these travelers can do what they say. It sure makes
it hard on the rest of us with experience (24 years here) when you lie or
don't check it out! Beware of companies that
continually change staff. I had 3 recruiters with 1st assist in less
than 6 months. I got home from work one night, after working 16 hours
and on call to no electrify. They forgot to pay the bill! It was
bike week and I like to have never found a motel room! And if you have
problems with the facility sending the documentation to this company, you
are wasting your time. They will not back you up or go to bat for you!
What I look for after all these years is traveling is
location first, money and then benefits. I am not taking an assignment
that I have to pay for housing. Too many companies give you free
private housing, and I am not wokring for a company that wants you to trade
pieces of furniture for something else. A close friend of mine was
going to work for Med STaff and they were trading lamps and tables for other
items!! Companies I have traveled with that are
great are... Cross Country, Elite (ask for Donna), Intelistaf
(formerly StarMed), and I talked to a lot of differe companies and
recruiter. Sign up with several to make sure you get the assignment
you want and the benefits that you deserve!!!
Name: Linda
ResidentState: Michigan
Specialty: Labor and Delivery
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 2
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 3
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 2-5 years
NOWTravelCompany: On Assignment and Readylink
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: No
NonFriendlyHospital: St Francis Mdical Center, Lynwood, California
Favoritecity: California, Santa Ana
LeastFavoriteCity: Lynwood, Compton California
Date: 14 Nov 2005
Time: 12:06:00
FirstTravelNurseExperienceNothing exceptional TellAFirstTimer
Take the advice of the experienced travlers on delphiforums.com
Name: clara
ResidentState: ky
Specialty: med/surg
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 4
RecuirterImportance: 2
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: no one
SwitchCompanies: No
DisasterCompany: none
NonFriendlyHospital: no
Favoritecity: myrtle beach
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 22 Nov 2005
Time: 13:17:46
FirstTravelNurseExperience
I have never traveled before, it is something I would like to do.
I have had my nursing license since 1989. and worked med/surg with some cardiac pts. TellAFirstTimer
Name: Anonymous
ResidentState: TX
Specialty: PACU
MoneyImportance: 3
BenefitsImportance: 4
LocationImportance: 2
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: One Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: 1-2 years
NOWTravelCompany: NONE!!!!
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: Medstaff
NonFriendlyHospital: Anne Arundel Medical Center Annapolis, Maryland
Favoritecity: San Diego, also like Philadelphia
LeastFavoriteCity: Annapolis, Maryland
Date: 02 Dec 2005
Time: 16:18:36
FirstTravelNurseExperience
First experience with Medstaff, 09/2003-12/2003:
I'm a PACU RN. While working this assignment, Medstaff charged me for my apartment on the days that I was subpoenaed to testify for the plaintiff (my now disabled husband), at a medical malpractice trial. They also made me pay them a part (or all?) of my wages for those days for which I was subpoenaed. Medstaff is stingy and inflexible. TellAFirstTimer
Name: Anon
ResidentState: TX
Specialty: PACU
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: Select One
TravelingYears: Select One
NOWTravelCompany:
SwitchCompanies: Select One
DisasterCompany: Medstaff, INC
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity:
LeastFavoriteCity:
Date: 02 Dec 2005
Time: 16:23:42
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Second assignment with Medstaff: terminated 4 weeks early. They kept my last paycheck, leaving me without a home. They charged me for the apartment that I was given 48 hours to vacate. Never offered documentation regarding cause for termination. TellAFirstTimerAvoid Medstaff, INC
Name:
Frank
ResidentState: MA
Specialty:
MoneyImportance: 1
BenefitsImportance: 1
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 1
Housing: Select One
TravelingYears: Select One
NOWTravelCompany: None
SwitchCompanies: Select One
DisasterCompany: None
NonFriendlyHospital:
Favoritecity: Boston
LeastFavoriteCity: Boston
Date: 08 Dec 2005
Time: 08:58:21
Name: Ann
ResidentState: Alabama
Specialty: NICU
MoneyImportance: 2
BenefitsImportance: 3
LocationImportance: 1
RecuirterImportance: 4
Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For
TravelingYears: Under 1 year
NOWTravelCompany: On Assignment
SwitchCompanies: Yes
DisasterCompany: On Assignment
NonFriendlyHospital: Univeristy of New Mexico NICU
Favoritecity: Birmingham, AL
LeastFavoriteCity: Monterey, CA
Date: 12 Dec 2005
Time: 03:27:33
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Hell. Thirteen travelers in a 50 bed unit and they still hated us and thought we were inferior. I wanted to spank all those youngsters' butts and let them know I've been nursing since before they hit puberty. TellAFirstTimer
Shop and compare before you sign. Several companies may pay different for the same job. |
