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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:
University 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.

Name: Jill ResidentState: Florida Specialty: Emergency Room MoneyImportance: 2 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 3 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: PPR SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: NonFriendlyHospital: Favoritecity: LeastFavoriteCity: Date: 06 Feb 2006 Time: 08:13:55
FirstTravelNurseExperienceI'm on my first one now. The Hospital, Northside in St. Petersburg, FL is OK. Nurse/patient ratio is a little hard at 5 to 1. Slight problem with my first couple paychecks until we were all on the same page with the right fax number. TellAFirstTimer

Name: Alexandria ResidentState: United Kingdom/Alabama Specialty: PACU/SDS/ER MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 3 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 2 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 1-2 years NOWTravelCompany: Looking for the Right one SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: No NonFriendlyHospital: Central Valley General Hospital Favoritecity: none so far LeastFavoriteCity: Hanford,Ca Date: 08 Feb 2006 Time: 11:05:31
FirstTravelNurseExperience
It was my first time and saw just how ruthless nurses can be. The Same Day and PACU were 4 beds A very clannish atmosphere. They changed the rules everyday. No compassion for others and no respect. I was ask in the beginning to extend and by the end of the assignment I was counting hours to get out of there! The managers are something to be desired. The head of surgery was worst of the bunch. She did not listen. No compromise at all. The manager told "rumors" to my recruiter about things I had no idea about. We had 1 conference to tell me what was expected of me. I saw her a total of 4 times and yet she had the nerve to evaluate me .I was very flexible in working hours. You can bend over backwards, and sometimes it doesn't work!. My recruiter was great, but at the end of the day the company I was with, listened to the department manager I had seen only 4 times. She only spoke to me 2 of those times! They believed her and took her word over mine. TellAFirstTimer
You can be flexible and help, but remember YOU are out there on your own. No one knows what goes on in the unit except you. Talk to
other travelers if you get the chance and listen to what they have to say. Trust no one. Think about why you are there and remember sometimes no matter what you do some people are just not going to like you. Try and not wear your feelings on your sleeve. As nurses we are supposed to be professionals, but that is not always the case. People are people no matter where you go or what you do. There are going to be the troublemakers, gossip mongers and
occasionally nice people. Hold your hand up and be strong in your beliefs. Stand up for what you think is right. I have always said I would NOT put my license on the line for anyone! So don't sacrifice your principles for others. Be
individual, don't allow them to compare you to other travelers, it is not fair. Don't even allow your recruiter to compare you, because you are different from them. Let them know you are there to
help, but won't be walked on. We are guests but even guests get a little respect.
remember respect is earned not given freely. There will always be politics in the
hospitals, but try not to take sides or get caught up in them. It is not easy. Just know when you have done your best you have nothing to be ashamed of. Check out the hospital like they check you out. Above all read what is here! It is valuable info here! Use all your resources to your advantage. Have fun and make the best out of a bad situation at times. There IS ALWAYS 2 sides to every story, be willing to listen and take note!
I have researched the travel business and I must say so far I can NOT name but one company that lived up to my expectations! At least the recruiter I worked with DID! they know without me naming them. I don't do free advertising... LOL.

Name: Bonita ResidentState: Va Specialty: Telemetry MoneyImportance: 3 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 2 RecuirterImportance: 4 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 2-5 years NOWTravelCompany: Clinical One SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: Medstaff NonFriendlyHospital: Florida Hospital Winter Park Favoritecity: Las Vegas LeastFavoriteCity: New Orleans Date: 05 Mar 2006 Time: 02:15:06
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first travel assignment was with a great little hospital in Inverness, Fla. The staff was a very traveler friendly staff. I floated in turn and went all over the hospital. It was a 165 bed hospital run by the community Drs., so the bottom line was what was good for the pts.
TellAFirstTimerBe flexible and remember even the worst assignment is only for 13 weeks:) and the best assignments can last as long as you want (usually)
:)

Name: Charlotte ResidentState: MS Specialty: Perioperative/critical care MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 2 Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: Travel Nurse Across America SwitchCompanies: Select One DisasterCompany: no NonFriendlyHospital: Mimbres Memorial Hospital, Deming NM Favoritecity: Hanford, CA LeastFavoriteCity: Deming, NM Date: 19 Mar 2006 Time: 21:52:03
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Wonderful. Very traveler friendly & well organized All personnel that I worked with went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and at home. It was hard to leave after the 6 month mark.
TellAFirstTimerBe cautious, professional, and take care with your duties. Remember to nurse as any prudent nurse would and give your patients the care that you would desire for yourself and your family members

Name: Abbie ResidentState: PA Specialty: med/surg tele MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 2 LocationImportance: 3 RecuirterImportance: 4 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany:
nightingale SwitchCompanies: No DisasterCompany: yes NonFriendlyHospital: no Favoritecity: LeastFavoriteCity: Date: 01 Apr 2006 Time: 11:12:26
FirstTravelNurseExperience
no rental car reimbursement, the recruiter thought I would take the bus, which would take walking 1 mile and 1 1/2 hrs on the bus. rented car at my expense for 600/month. lived in apt complex that
wasn't safe, hospital in unsafe area. very scary--phoenix, az -- co only paid up to 100 for utilities, electric alone was 180.month. lost my butt on this assignment. TellAFirstTimer
don't sign until you have everything covered. car, utilities and everything else you need

Name: Jade ResidentState: Florida Specialty: Med Surg/Tele/Wound Care MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 2 LocationImportance: 2 RecuirterImportance: 3 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: Nightingale SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: Nightingale NonFriendlyHospital: Both hospitals in Ocala, FL: Favoritecity:
A lot have been nice LeastFavoriteCity: Phoenix/Glendale, AZ Date: 02 Apr 2006 Time: 22:25:35
FirstTravelNurseExperience
The recruiter told me everything that I wanted to hear, but did not carry through with very many of the promises. She got me out here, 2200 miles away from my home, and forgot about me the minute she got her commission. I felt so stuck and lonely. She overshot her bounds. I had to FIGHT for every dime that they promised was going to be reimbursed to me. She also was very unavailable on the phone. I am grateful to have found another traveler in my apt. complex. My apt. complex is unsafe ( gunshots every night) and the hospital grounds are unsafe. However, I love the hospital, so it's hard. It are filled with travelers. It's kind of hard, though as they are all from different nations. The first assignment is the HARDEST and the one that you learn the most from. My first paycheck was over $1,000 short. I started to cry. TellAFirstTimer
GET EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IN WRITING !! If you don't, they will tell you, "That's not in your contract" even though you know you talked about it and they promised it to you. Do your homework on the hospital and the area. Bring a laptop, cell phone, at least 10 uniform sets, items from home, and things to keep you busy on your off time. It gets lonely. Read the newspaper and find out from locals what there is to do in the area. Make sure that you know whether or not you are to bring items from home for your apt. or if it is FULLY furnished with kitchen items, etc. It gets expensive to buy these things. Locate the nearest Goodwill if you have to, and make sure that you have at LEAST $1,000 EXTRA to make up for what "errors" there may be or for what you need to buy that you forgot.

Name: Denise ResidentState: Ohio Specialty: Tele/Med-Surg MoneyImportance: 3 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 1 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 2-5 years NOWTravelCompany: RNDemand SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: Liquid Agents NonFriendlyHospital: Putnam General Hosp in Hurricane, WV 14:1 N/P ratio Favoritecity: Laguna Beach, California LeastFavoriteCity: Hurricane, WV nice town/awful hospital Date: 16 Apr 2006 Time: 08:13:10
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Location...Location...Location
Roy Lester Schneider Hospital - St Thomas, USVI
Loved the island. Snorkeled every day (except when hurricane Jean hit us)
swam....Loved my apartment at Sapphire Village
Balcony view...nothing but ocean.
All of the travel nurses were nice. Everybody helped each other out. We even bought each other food when our ( pay didn't clear or we lost debit card or hospital didn't get it faxed on time (You know...Island time not US mainland time...and the hospital faxed/verified...we didn't)
Hospital was grossly understaffed (1:11 Nurse/Pt ratio with NO nursing assistant not
uncommon)...Supplies...Forget it honey!
Only IV pumps were 20+ years old, only used for heparin or other hi risk drips (if you found a pump at all and...if you could find tubing for the pumps)
I once gave my lunch to a diabetic patient / no food
But - forget the hospital. We can all do that for 8 weeks....The Island was beautiful... TellAFirstTimer
Before you travel with a company always look them up in the travel nurse online forums (Delphi,
highwayhypodermics.com, and ultimatenurse.com, etc)
If there are a lot of nurses who report satisfaction with them, leave them on your list. If there are a lot of bad experiences with an agency, drop them like a hot
potato! A leopard does not change it's spots.
And...list what's important to you...my list:
1. Housing, private. I don't share housing with strangers. Everything paid for, ALL utilities (including local phone and basic cable). Completely furnished right on down to pots/pans. I'm not schlepping my household goods all over the country.
2. Day one benefits with dependant coverage available at a reasonable price.
3. Weekly pay, direct deposit
Etc (make up your own list)
Stick to your list, I always get everything I've asked for.
Well, I hope that helps. Buena Suerta

Name: Kathryn ResidentState: WI Specialty: Rehab, Medical MoneyImportance: 2 BenefitsImportance: 4 LocationImportance: 3 RecuirterImportance: 1 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: Emerald healthcare SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: RTG Medical NonFriendlyHospital: Enloe Medical in Chico California Favoritecity: San
Rafael LeastFavoriteCity: Chico Date: 18 Apr 2006 Time: 20:06:42
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Horrible. My company gave me the wrong directions. The staff treated me worse than dirt. My company wouldn't stand behind me when the hospital tried to discriminate and
harass against me. My company stranded me 3 hours from home when I wouldn't renew with them. They placed me in an apartment that needed constant maintenance - toilet and tub backing up. They charged me for items that they were supposed to pay for - even though it was agreed upon in the written contract that they would pay for these items. They placed me into a contract with another hospital without my authorization and then blamed me when it had to be cancelled because I did not renew with them. RTG was only out to make a buck and did not care about its travelers. TellAFirstTimer
Ask around for references. Ask if there are other
travelers that can give a reference for the company. Visit nurse forum.com and other traveling nurse sites to see what you need to include in the contract and if the hospital has been listed as being a horrible hospital, etc.

Name: Jill Beatty ResidentState: FL Specialty: ER MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 2 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 3 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: PPR Travel SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: no NonFriendlyHospital: No Favoritecity: LeastFavoriteCity: Date: 20 Apr 2006 Time: 21:27:33
FirstTravelNurseExperience
My first travel job was to Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL. 17 Bed ER. Staff were friendly. Nurse patient ratio was hard at times.6 to 1. But when you went to the charge nurse and told them you would take no more, they would listen. All in all it was tolerable for 13 weeks.
TellAFirstTimerBe very flexible. Get some experience before you start. They expect travelers to come in and need very little instruction. Always keep a sense of humor.
Also smile a lot. You only have to put up with where you are for 13 weeks, unlike the full time staff that are there year after year.

Name: LC ResidentState: IOWA Specialty: MED/SURG MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 3 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 2 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 2-5 years NOWTravelCompany: MYRIAD HEATHCARE SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: AMS HEATHCARE NonFriendlyHospital: INDEPENDENCE REGIONAL Favoritecity: FAIRFIELD, CA LeastFavoriteCity: GRAND ISLAND , NE Date: 24 Apr 2006 Time: 15:54:01
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Awesome... Hopsital was travel friendly, had a
great apartment. Everything was as close to perfect as could be!
TellAFirstTimerStart out in a
hospital that is known to be travel friendly, and do not sign anything
unless you are 100% sure.

Name: Marlene ResidentState: Michigan Specialty: Obstetrics MoneyImportance: 3 BenefitsImportance: 4 LocationImportance: 1 RecuirterImportance: 2 Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: American Traveler SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: Not yet NonFriendlyHospital: Favoritecity: My current assignment in Port St. Lucie, FL has been a very good experience. LeastFavoriteCity: Date: 04 May 2006 Time: 21:47:56
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Very friendly staff, treat me as one of their own, good nurse/pt ratio. Would definitely return here another time but not during
hurricane season! TellAFirstTimerBe flexible, go above and beyond. Be confident, friendly and cheerful even if you're shaking inside. Read, read, read your contract. Be specific with your consultant as to what your needs are.

Name: JOAN ResidentState: NC Specialty: L&D MoneyImportance: 3 BenefitsImportance: 2 LocationImportance: 1 RecuirterImportance: 4 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: BRIDGESTAFFING SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: NO NonFriendlyHospital: NO Favoritecity: RICHMOND, VA LeastFavoriteCity: NONE Date: 10 May 2006 Time: 19:45:51
FirstTravelNurseExperience
This is my first travel assignment experience, and I feel
like I made the right decision to quit my job of 16 years and start
traveling. Chippenham Johnston Willis Hospital L&D department in
Richmond, VA, has made my first assignment a very positive experience.
They asked me to take another assignment and I resigned another 8 week
contract because of the staff and doctors that I work with. I feel
like I have made lasting friendships and will be sad to leave here, but I
look forward to expanding my travel career that I have started. TellAFirstTimer
Do your homework and decide what is most important to you
as salary, benefits, and etc before signing a contract.

Name: katie ResidentState: kansas Specialty: med surg MoneyImportance: 2 BenefitsImportance: 3 LocationImportance: 1 RecuirterImportance: 4 Housing: I'll Take The Stipend & RV It TravelingYears: Under 1 year NOWTravelCompany: bright med inc SwitchCompanies: Select One DisasterCompany: NonFriendlyHospital: Favoritecity: LeastFavoriteCity: Date: 15 May 2006 Time: 17:17:08
FirstTravelNurseExperience
very difficult... nothing like I expected having worked local per diem before this...
TellAFirstTimernothing lasts forever you can make it through 13 weeks and the next one is
a little better..

Name: Janice ResidentState: tn Specialty: med-surg--psych MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 2 RecuirterImportance: 1 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 6-10 years NOWTravelCompany: preferred SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: crosscountry--preferred NonFriendlyHospital: athens--ga Favoritecity: anchorage LeastFavoriteCity: fort worth Date: 28 May 2006 Time: 18:38:57
FirstTravelNurseExperience
awful--was floated all over hospitals even to units I had no experience working--example ER. Clannish atmosphere
TellAFirstTimerbe flexible--always remember you are not core staff--get everything in writing and read-read-read contract before you sign!!

Name: Eileen ResidentState: WA Specialty: OB MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 3 LocationImportance: 4 RecuirterImportance: 2 Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 2-5 years NOWTravelCompany: The Quest Group SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: Nothing disastrous, but plenty of irritations. NonFriendlyHospital: Favoritecity: Oak Harbor WA Naval Hospital LeastFavoriteCity: Centralia WA Date: 29 May 2006 Time: 01:28:28
FirstTravelNurseExperience
It was awful! There were nurses who were rude and basically mean to me. Charge nurses dumped her patients on me and she went back and slept until 6 in the morning. Then blamed me for not charting on her patients! She told me she'd already assessed and charted on them! Even rude nurse manager. Had 2 worst deliveries of my career at this hospital. Both on the same night. A 3.5 minute shoulder
dystocia, then delivered charge nurse's pt she dumped on me. That pt had a near fatal
hemorrhage from a rare placenta malformation! Doc did a D&C in the bed and refused to give her pain medication, and then refused to give her antibiotics afterward! The pt was in the hospital for 2 weeks and had a second surgery once she was no longer septic! Horrible hospital!
TellAFirstTimerKnow that you are a guest at the hospital where you are assigned. Act in a professional polite manner. Know your skill level and limitations and be honest and up front about it. Know that you will learn something new from every hospital you work at. Look at each new assignment in that light, and don't try to go in and tell the place how it should be run, or find fault continuously. This is one huge mistake I find travelers do too frequently. It makes the staff dislike you. Look to learn from them, but know what the standards of care are and follow them. Also realize that you will be watched closely at first in most places until the staff are sure of you and your skills. Stand up for your patients, and yourself. Don't let them dump on you but don't sit on your butt and read a magazine when the rest of the staff is running either. Watch the other staff and see what they do that maybe they haven't told you about. Buy a clear plastic badge holder to wear with your name badge, and place a card in it that contains all the most frequently needed phone numbers you will likely need on the spur of the moment. For example: I work L&D so I put the docs contact numbers on my badge, the supervisors number, the other areas of the unit's phone numbers. This allows me to know exactly where the number is when I need it. Saves time when in a hurry. If you don't have a recruiter who works for you to iron out the problems that are sure to arise during a contract then find one who will. That doesn't mean you have to leave the company, but you might have to ask for a new recruiter. Get a good tax advisor. Track all your mileage, keep good records. Pack light. Most of all Have FUN!!

Name: kay ResidentState: mo Specialty: er MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 2 LocationImportance: 3 RecuirterImportance: 4 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 1-2 years NOWTravelCompany: SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: no NonFriendlyHospital: Favoritecity: Tucson,Az LeastFavoriteCity: none Date: 30 May 2006 Time: 07:47:07
FirstTravelNurseExperience
hospital staff mostly nice one vicious Dr and tech. primarily
Spanish speaking pt and staff.
dangerous area of town, dangerous staff/pt ratios
insecure working environment. Ask lots of questions, be ready for anything be very skilled and
confident. Luckily I had good company, good recruiter, nice apartment and husband to keep me
sane. Even with the nice staff would not return to this facility unless safety was addressed
TellAFirstTimerdon't go until you are competent in the area you are presenting yourself for. have a backup plan if contract or company falls through and backup cash.
don't take anything personal and expect bumps in plan with pay/housing/hospital etc. do not expect orientation, they expect you to work without it

Name: Steve ResidentState: Ohio Specialty: ICU MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 4 LocationImportance: 2 RecuirterImportance: 3 Housing: One Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 2-5 years NOWTravelCompany: PRCS SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: World Health NonFriendlyHospital: Summerlin Medical Center Las Vegas Favoritecity: San Francisco LeastFavoriteCity: Las Vegas Date: 12 Jun 2006 Time: 08:04:03
FirstTravelNurseExperience
Great 1st time experience in Arizona in a MICU. Staff was incredibly friendly and management treated travelers like staff. Gave me a great taste about traveling
TellAFirstTimerBefore you take your 1st assignment you must evaluate what is important to you ie
money, location, housing, benefits and don't sacrifice the important ones. There are many companies out there. Be sure to interview the hospital management before excepting to get an idea of the unit/hospital and expectations...

Name: WC ResidentState: OH Specialty: CCU/ICU MoneyImportance: 3 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 3 RecuirterImportance: 4 Housing: Give Me The $$MONEY$$ TravelingYears: 1-2 years NOWTravelCompany: on assignment SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: not yet, but have heard horror stories NonFriendlyHospital: Miriam Hospital, RI Favoritecity: Richmond, VA LeastFavoriteCity: Providence, RI Date: 14 Jun 2006 Time: 18:04:41
FirstTravelNurseExperience
GREAT!! It was a small hospital in Weirton WV. Excellent staff, worked both tele and ccu. Stayed 6 months. Loved it...if your reading this
I miss all you guys!!!! Very traveler friendly...set my views on traveling as something I will do for a long time! TellAFirstTimer
Don't get involved with all the hospital politics, keep
smiling, help the other staff but remember who helps you also! Never compromise your nursing values no matter what. Stand your ground and fight for what you believe in. ALWAYS research the company you are considering working for as well as the hospital you are considering traveling to and above all, ALWAYS! ALWAYS! get everything in writing no matter how nice the recruiter or company sounds. In closing just remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!!!! Good Luck! and Have Fun!!

Name: CHRIS ResidentState: NEW YORK Specialty: SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS MoneyImportance: 1 BenefitsImportance: 1 LocationImportance: 1 RecuirterImportance: 1 Housing: Two Bedroom Paid For TravelingYears: 1-2 years NOWTravelCompany:
Preferred Healthcare SwitchCompanies: Yes DisasterCompany: YES NonFriendlyHospital: UCSF-
San Francisco. It's good but staff are pretty lazy and lamed. Favoritecity:
San Jose, San Francisco, Palto Alto, etc... weather is beautiful! LeastFavoriteCity:
None Date: 20 Jun 2006 Time: 20:04:24
FirstTravelNurseExperience
I was scared, and paranoid all the time knowing that I
didn't know anyone in California. I felt home sick for several days;
however, it is kind of cool because I learned to be independent and know
myself better. Also, traveling is the most wise decision I have ever
made. TellAFirstTimerYou'll
meet very cool travelers and you will always look out for each other.
Referring only to travelers! You will be able to discover certain
cities that you have never been to. It is pretty exciting!
Although, for first time travelers, please do not let any recruiter fool
you. Please do a lot of research with any travel nursing company.
Hmm, also kind of make your own list of all the things that you want within
your company before signing any contracts. Ask as many questions as
you want and if you feel can't get any answer to your question then drop
that company ASAP!
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