Wow, I just spent 90 minutes talking with a recruiter from Access and what a disappointment! She's been with them for a year. The agency forms she emailed me say I may have to set up my own utilities and pay deposits in some of the housing, getting a washer/dryer is a seperate cost, says they don't have a per diem or tax advantage plan except to include housing or stipened although I can negotiate with them for meals, oh yeah, I can negotiate for travel above the $250 there and $250 back which looks like it is "eventually" reimbursed, there after 100 hours, back who knows when. Sounded a bit shady if the "back" wasn't going to become the "there" of the next assignement. Will pay your COBRA if you don't take their insurance, oh but not the week or so during your travel between assignments. Their insurance doesn't kick in for 50 days if you start after the 11th of the month, but they swear they will pay for COBRA if you have health care costs. If you start before the 11th it still doesn't kick in till the next month. The agency holds your last paycheck until the apartment gives the okay that there is no damage, so maybe you should pay your own deposit, you pay the cost for a physical and your immunization titers, they'll pay for drug screen and background check, then the kicker, New England pays in the range of $26/hr because "housing is so expensive." I'm thinking I'll look further. Can any of the experienced travelers tell me of this sounds exploitative or is this just the norm?
Every time I have talked to Access they always really low-ball on pay rates- it's kind of ridiculous. You should not have to wait for insurance- I am with RN Network, and my insurance started on day one of my first assignment, and there's no gap in coverage if I take a week or two off between assignments. Also, you should not have to arrange for or pay for your utilities- your travel company should take care of ALL of this for you!
Amanda, RN, BSN
Ex-Traveler Extraordinaire,
Resident Trauma Queen
Forget Access,
I've worked with 3 companies and all have free health ins. day 1, free apt with utilites and washer dryer. No downpayement and better travel reim and minimum $30 hr in New England.
Keep shopping around and 1st read the companies web page to see what they offer in benefits.
try Cross Country
RN Network
Clinical One
Medical Solutions
Travel nurse across america
and there are more.
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