[er nurse]

I am an er nurse with two years experience. I want to travel but i would like to start within my state- somewhat local. I am confused about the difference between traveling and agency assignments. I have only worked at the same place, in the same department for the past two years. Do i apply to two different companies for my local and traveling assignments? Does anybody know of any good travel companies? Please help i guess i am just confused about the logistics of it all.

[Aaron C.]

First off, the important stuff: Those companies who sponsor our site are certainly quality travel companies with good reputations. Each of them offers something a little different. If you're interested in getting information about them, fill out our "Travel Nursing Info" form on the left hand side of the home page under the Employment section.


Travel Nursing and Agency Nursing are the same thing. If you want to work locally doing "per diem" nursing you can do so with a local nurse registry or local staffing company, or a national staffing company. Many Nursing "Agencies" staff locally and nationally.

If you accept a "Travel Nursing" assignment, you would typically work based on an 8-13 week contract in one facility. At the end of the contract you can either renew (if you choose and the facility still has a need for you), or you can find another assignment.

If you work locally, you may either work at one facility or at several. Many times the "Agency" has a list of openings for the upcoming week or so, and they attempt to fill them for the facilities based on your availability. Otherwise, you are on a call list and if needs arise, they call you based on the availabilty list you have given your recruiter (ie I can work Wednesday Nights, Tuesday Days, and every other weekend, but not early Sunday because I either go to church or drink until 4 am on Saturday and don't get out of bed until 2:00, oh, and no Saturday nights either).

Or something like that