[donnarn7994]

:39: I worked for Nightingale for 1 1/2 yrs. My recruiter was very good and we became good friends over time. Even though I am no longer with them, I will always consider my recruiter my friend. Nightingale is OK. Sometimes they are VERY slow to find you positions, even up until the last 4 days of your contract. They also do not "push" for contracts, which this has nothing to do with your recruiter, because you have a recruiter and then there is a whole "other department" who contacts the hospital. They are also know for not getting the highest salaries for you. I usually made $2 an hour less than other travelers who were usually making $4/hr. They just changed insurance companies, which is better, but costs a lot more. And, if you miss work for any reason, low census, sick, surgery, etc, they WILL take it out of your next paycheck. In the beginning they did not do that. And the housing is definitely not as good as what other travelers I have talked to live in. They have me in an underground apartment (my bedroom window is level with the street) furnished with a love seat, end table, lamp, bed, end table, lamp and very small dresser, sparsely furnished kitchen, 3 washcloths and 3 towels, they pay for cable and electricity. The apt is approx 600 sf and the charge is $1250 month. I have friends here living in 3 bedroom houses paying less than that. Just be careful! Make very sure of where you want to go and exactly what you want to do and make sure it says what YOU want in your contract, I would also ask to see a copy of the contract that THE COMPANY signed with the hospital. Again, Sarah Denyson is a very good recruiter and go to bat for you but you have to remember she is just one person in a group of MANY who are managing your travel assignment.

Donna:luck:

[desertangelrn]

Many agencies pull the crap of leaving finding a contract until the last minute. So this company is not the only one. Reason they do this is to push travelers into accepting their contract as most times travelers have no other options at that point open to them.

Best option for travelers to do is register with 2 agencies in about 3 -4 weeks notify your recruiter you are looking for another assignment in 3 - 4 weeks notify the other agency you are in the market for a travel assignement in 3 - 4 weeks.

Drop the hint that there is another recruiter with another company searching for you also. It is amazing how well this works, many recruiters will pull out the stops for you. If they don't then that recruiter is useless and will not look after your interests.

OK if you are good at poker and can bluff you can just try dropping the hint to your recruiter that you have another recruiter checking out the market for you 3-4 weeks prior to your contract end and first come first served.

If your recruiter is not willing to do some work to retain you then it is time to leave.

[donnarn7994]

[Hello everyone, I tried to post a new thread but it would not let me. I now have a dilema. I am at the travel nurse vs permanent nurse status. I am not sure what I really want to do. Has anyone ever been at that stage? I know when summer comes I am going to want to travel to the coast, but right now recruiters aren't coming thru for me as far as a job that I need ASAP, as in start Monday. I hate to sign on with a hospital permanent and then break it 6 mths later? Right now I am in between assignments and need to give an answer by Friday. HELP I AM CONFUSED.

Donna

[donnarn7994]

Hello everyone. Well I finally found a new job and a new company, now I am just waiting for my housing to come through. I will be going to Palm Springs. Has anyone ever worked at the Desert Hospital there? It is a big hospital, 400+ beds and I will be working in step-downn and float to ICU some. So I am looking forward to being in a new place and a new hospital and I found a wonderful recruiter. I got submitted to 5 hospitals and they are the only one who called me back within an hour of getting my profile, so I figure it was meant to be. Now I just have to adjust from coming from 8,000 feet with snow all over the ground to 50 in the desert with the heat already 95. Definitely a change.

Donna

[sunnijudi]

I don't know about Desert Hospital but I would love to hear how you feel about it as I am looking to relocate to either southern CA or Nevada area.

I have vacationed in Palm Springs and love it!

Best of luck!:luck:

Judi