[jlsmithaustin@yahoo.com]

I need some advice. We are suppose to start traveling with RN Network in less than a month. We have been in talks and have everything filled out paperwork wise. We were told that it would be no problem to find a M/S position in a compact state with a years experience. We are now being told that they are having problems finding jobs and it is hard to find you a spot with only a years experience and no travel experience. We had several recruiters from different firms call us originally and tell us that it would be no problem. Is RN Networks just trying to not deal with us? Should we ask for another recuiter or go with another agency. How do we go about switching recruiters? We didn't want to have to switch and start from scratch with a new agency. HELP. Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you!
JenniferSquared

[AmandaWIRN]

You may have a harder time finding your first assignment, some hospitals won't hire first-time travelers, but after that, you shouldn't have a problem. I will be starting my third assignment with RN Network in about 3 weeks, and they have been very good to me. I know when it comes time to start looking for my next assignment, I always get nervous, thinking I won't find anything until the last minute, but my recruiter has always come through for me.

[lifezfunny]

DON'T go with RN Network...the pay is low and they will say anything to get in good with the hospitals( didn't pay me one week , I cancelled my extra shift until I got paid for my regular hours...recruiter called the hospital and told them I WOULD be there...anyway..turned out badly and I resigned the contract)...they care little about you...my best experiences have been with Fastaff...lots of jobs...I am also talking to Reflectx Health Staffing...haven't been with them yet but they have lots of M/S...Liquid Agents, were good also...I know the guys at Freedom Healthcare and would go with them if they has something in Massachusetts...make sure all your expenses are covered, housing including utilities..with dishes and linens...a pain to have to drag that stuff with you...do some more shopping around and don't go with only the companies that bug you to death. Good Luck

[AmandaWIRN]

Originally Posted by lifezfunny

DON'T go with RN Network...the pay is low and they will say anything to get in good with the hospitals( didn't pay me one week , I cancelled my extra shift until I got paid for my regular hours...recruiter called the hospital and told them I WOULD be there...anyway..turned out badly and I resigned the contract)

The ONE time there was a problem with my paycheck with RN Network (they didn't get my time sheet I faxed), they deposited my check into my account within a few hours of me talking to them about it, so it really wasn't a problem. In my opinion, it is unprofessional to cancel when you have picked up extra shifts unless you are sick or have some other sort of emergency. The hospital is counting on you to show up, and any paycheck issues should be dealt with through your company, not by canceling extra shifts you've picked up with the hospital.

[naskippy]

Many agencies will not deal with a nurse unless they have at least 2 years of med/surg experience....but some will. My first piece of good advise is this. You have to view yourself as going into business for yourself. The agency is nothing more than a place that sells you a contract to fulfill for your business. Beyond that they are nothing more than your personal assistant that cuts pay checks and takes care of paperwork. You need to have at least 3 good agencies located in various areas of the country of which you would like to do business in (work). And they will call themselves your employer...but they can call themselves anything they want to...but YOU are the BOSS when you're in business for yourself. You can fire them at anytime and in as fast as it takes to dial the phone have them replaced.

I suggest looking into a couple of other agencies as well...make them compete for what they want to sell your business....and may the best man (agency) win.

I also suggest you take what you can for your first assignment seeing you have little experience. Once you have a couple of assignments under your belt agencies will be begging you to accept their contracts and hospitals will be begging you to come to their location. I have 22 years experiece as a nurse and have several good quality assignments under my belt. I am turning down jobs...not hunting for them. I had an offer the other day in Virginia that I turned down. I have NEVER had an interview with a hospital that I was not offered the postion. You will get to that point as well. Good Luck!