Travel nursing agencies.

Question:

Does anyone have experience with traveling nurse agencies good or bad?

Answer:
I've taken travel assignments with StarMed, American Mobile and now with
Clinical One. They all have their good points and their bad points. American
Mobile often seems to have more assignments in my area (ER) than StarMed for example, but it's StarMed that has gotten me the actual interviews.

Clinical One pays 100% for private housing - one of the reasons I chose to go with them this time. However they have me housed 45 minutes from the hospital which I'm not very happy with.

I'd suggest that you talk with several of the agencies and find which ones offer the things you find most important (is insurance a MUST for you - would it help if you could COBRA your insurance when your assignment ends? Do you want private housing - or are you willing to share housing with someone? Would you be traveling with a companion (another nurse or a non medical type?) or with a pet?), then fill out the volumes of paperwork for the agencies you think would work best for you.

I also suggest to anyone considering traveling that you have enough in liquid savings that you could go for 3 months without work and without hurting your bottom line too much. While it doesn't happen often you assignment can be cancelled at any time (I've worked with nurses who have had assignments cancelled as they were driving TO that assignment). Most of the agencies will
go to great lengths to get you placed again quickly, in the same area if
possible, but that little bit of a cushion allows you the freedom to decline
assignments that don't suit you.

Does anyone have experience with traveling nurse agencies good or bad?

There is an article on the Nursing Network about Travel Nursing along with a list of phone numbers for Travel nursing agencies. You may want to check it out at. On the home page, click on the search link, and type in 'travel' to bring up the page.

I have traveled with both Travcorps and nursing management services (NMS).
They are both good although I have found that NMS pays a little better and they also pay for 100% of your housing and 75.00 month for utilities. My best advice is check out several as they all differ slightly in what they offer.
I originally signed up with 4-5 then narrowed it down to the above two agencies. There is also Crosscountry, Starmed and American mobile nurses to name a few. Hope this helps some. I love it. You will want to make sure that you have your skills down pat and are comfortable with your abilities. The clients
expect you to be able to walk in and be up to speed in a matter of 1-2 days orientation. Also be aware that all of the staff may not be overly happy to see you there especially if the pool personnel aren't getting their hours, also you can be cancelled at any time. It has as much to offer as it has draw backs, just depends on what you want out of it.