Which travel company???

Posts: 27 · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 27 Location: ny

stellar wrote:

Yes, I too am sorry this is not a more active blog. As for the phony responses!!! The same people respond about Sophia and Access over and over. I am considering Access, but find the phony responses a turn off!

That's exactly what I mean! I'm a little afraid to try those agencies that are the most advertised, they seem to be one of the bigger agencies, but I tend to believe more of the negative reviews, b/c all the positive ones are BS. And I sent my resume to a smaller travel agency, but then they would call me everyday(I wasn't able to pick up the phone), almost too aggressive in my opinion. I'm thinking it might be better off just going there and doing it the old fashion way of actually applying. Smile

Posts: 27 · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 27 Location: ny

taylorj1 wrote:

The claim they will pay for the initial 80.00 fee but I am responsible for the temporary fee of 10.00 and the criminal background check of 25.00, which is not too bad but at the same time if I stay instate then I dont have to worry about that. So for now its staying the way it is. IN town.

Yah, well good luck, there are still some of us that want to travel out of state, so keeping this thread up is not a bad idea.

Posts: 11 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 11 Location: US

the licensing process was a hassle for me too coming to california...but it was worth it. now i can travel anywhere in the state. plus, i had help from my recruiter to get it all done. if you really want to make travel nursing your career and don't want to pay the licensing fees everytime you move states, you should get a lisense in the compact states...which includes like 20 states.

Posts: 11 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 11 Location: US

stellar wrote:

Yes, I too am sorry this is not a more active blog. As for the phony responses!!! The same people respond about Sophia and Access over and over. I am considering Access, but find the phony responses a turn off!

you just have to go with your instincts when choosing an assignment. what do YOU think of the company? i took an assignment with amn and hated it, but other nurses i know work with them and don't have any complaints. i work with access nurses and they've kept me happy so far....but all that matters is what you think about the company because you're the one who has to work the assignment.

Posts: 47 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 47

Yes, but if you are just starting to travel it is a leap of faith. To leave a very well-paying job with full benifits for a company that could be your worst nightmare or heaven, but more realisitically somewhere in between, is intimidating. I think if a company is good, they should just rest on their reputation rather than post phony replies on blogs. It makes me question their ethics! I would much prefer the industry direct their nurses to the blog and keep it all above board.

Posts: 17 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 17 Location: wichita, KS

It is a leap of faith, to move from a secure to an insecure environment at the expense of my family and their well being is not worth the hassle yet, once my wife establishes her insurance then the game is on, because I truly believe traveling opens a lot of doors in experience and adventure and will be right up my alley. As far as the instinct goes I feel my gut is telling me to investigate further, I just talked to someone who went with Nightengale and just finished traveling and will pump information from him about traveling in general. There is nothing like first hand information face to face.

Posts: 27 · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 27 Location: ny

Travelling in my eyes, is what I love about nursing, the job is always in demand so what better way to experience the world or country and still do what you do? How many jobs can provide that! but it's just daunting how many companies are into travelling and how various the expereiences range from good to bad.

And the phony blogs show how desperate agencies are and make you wonder if they even care about finding you a good place to work or just want the commision.

Posts: 27 · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 27 Location: ny

kmarshall wrote:

the licensing process was a hassle for me too coming to california...but it was worth it. now i can travel anywhere in the state. plus, i had help from my recruiter to get it all done. if you really want to make travel nursing your career and don't want to pay the licensing fees everytime you move states, you should get a lisense in the compact states...which includes like 20 states.

how many patients do you have in california?

Posts: 11 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 11 Location: US

i never have more than 4 or 5 patients during a shift. that's probably one of the best things about working in CA...they are pretty strict about nurse to patient ratios. i'm sure it's less on other floors, but 5 is the max on my floor.

Posts: 17 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 17 Location: wichita, KS

Well hopefully in the summer I can convince my wife to go to California for maybe a strike assignment, get the kids to the beach, and get some sun and make some decent money, but only after I have some experience/exposure to the last hospital I have not worked at thus far locally. Traveling looks like a blast I hope to experience this soon.

Posts: 27 · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 27 Location: ny

kmarshall wrote:

i never have more than 4 or 5 patients during a shift. that's probably one of the best things about working in CA...they are pretty strict about nurse to patient ratios. i'm sure it's less on other floors, but 5 is the max on my floor.

Wow!! Thank you so much for answering my question, thats what I thought, I remember hearing something about a rule in Cali limiting patients to 5 patients bc cali used to have out of control patient to nurse ratios. We don't have that rule in NY and we can have as many as 10 patients once in a while. The usual is like 6-7, but 5 patients it is much easier to handle emergencies and much less stress.

Oh and I also read about Swarzeneger tryhing to change it to 6 patient limit, but I think he should be a nurse for a week and see if he likes it. Smile

I doubt he would ever try to do that again.