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The questions that are asked and answered below are what all travel nursing professions should be asking of their future travel nursing employer. The travel nurse industry has changed and jobs can be extremely lucrative and professionally rewarding, but you need to be prepared during the interview process so there are no surprises along the way.

Communication. Can your recruiter clearly communicate a defined process or answer questions without stumbling or looking up the information? The following are some of the most commonly asked questions by travel candidates and how a recruiter answers is vital when deciding which travel nursing agencies are best suited to meet your needs. Use the following to help you judge an agency’s standards and procedures before committing any of your valuable time and energy.

What is and how long is the application process?
The application process is the initial on-boarding method whereby
Candidates’ clinical skills in their primary area of expertise are thoroughly screened to ensure candidates meet specific employment criteria. If initial criterion is not met then candidate may be disqualified and referred to clinical resources that best meet candidates’ needs. And, if the process is too short and lacks thorough screening, you could be placed into an undesirable assignment.

What is the application process?
Most application processes involve a 3-step procedure:
Step 1- Initial Phone Interview where a recruiter/travel manager can actually pre-qualify candidates, conducting an initial phone interview by reviewing agency’s initial qualifying criteria, discussing your education; identifying your primary clinical area of expertise, tenure in this clinical area, and your travel assignment career goals. Once pre-qualified, candidates are invited to the next step.
Step 2- Employment application completion AND clinical competency testing by multiple choice written examination. Upon receipt of all application documentation, clinical referencing completion, negative criminal background and OIG results, and a passing clinical competency score of no less than 80%, a clinical profile is prepared and is ready for client submission for assignment consideration.
Step 3- Follow-up phone interview to review candidate’s clinical profile, travel placement plan, and all assignment opportunities currently available.


How long does the entire application process usually take?
It varies. Since the initial documentation section is entirely dependent upon how quickly a candidate returns the materials requested, it is very conceivable that the process can be completed in as little as 24 hours. However, more realistically, from phone interview to clinical profile preparation averages 72-96 hours turn around time; longer if there are any documentation deficiencies to showcase not only clinical expertise and professional process, but also a candidate’s willingness and ability to follow directions.

At Nursefinders…Our reputation for hiring and retaining the best travel nurses is achieved by the way we adhere to strict screening standards. Through our Fast Track Qualification Process is an expedited procedure, it is still comprehensive in context ensuring we match your skills and travel goals to specific client requirements. Our employment philosophy is that it’s either a good two-way fit or no fit at all.

What is our communication plan?
During your assignment contract, when issues arise and you need help, whom do you call? Is there a live person available 24/7? Find out if you will be referred to voicemail or have to wait for a pager to be answered.

Whom do I call when I have clinical, contract, payroll, or emergency issue?
Communication is vital to the success of any assignment. You need easy, immediate access to your agency’s clinical director to help assist, support, or advocate for you while on duty. You can expect to speak with a knowledgeable agency staff member 24/7 who can assist you immediately or at least locate the appropriate person best suited to help you. Even after hours or on weekends, a live agency staff member is ready, willing and able to assist as needed.

What happens if I am injured on the job?
Seek out proper medical attention as necessity dictates. You will be directed to not only fill out the appropriate reporting forms, but most importantly directed to your agency for immediate guidance and support. While on duty, remember you are not an employee of the facility and therefore must have your agency fulfill all workmen’s compensation requirements. You must notify your agency immediately.

What are the details of the travel packages you offer?
Most agencies have a standard one-size fits all package that includes the most common pay and benefits with no personalization. It’s most important you understand all the travel details so that no unexpected delays or surprises pop up before, during and after your assignment.

What does your travel package include?
Travel nursing packages are pretty standard among most agencies. The most common components of a travel package include taxable and non-taxable wages, overtime rates, holiday pay, housing, travel stipends, health, 401k, and other company sponsored insurance benefits.

Do you offer assignment bonuses?
Bonuses are typically not a standard component and are primarily offered when a client elects to reimburse the agency special bonus payments. However, on occasion agencies may offer special bonus incentives regardless of client reimbursements to help support client peak seasons such as winter and summer capacity planning. Bonuses are always subject to federal and state income tax withholdings.

Will I be required to carry my own professional liability insurance?
Unless you are an independent contractor, agencies provide employer paid malpractice/liability coverage on all its employees.

At Nursefinders…Because only YOU know what works best for you, our travelers actually participate in customizing their assignment and travel package from a wide variety of options. Our travel packages are like snow flakes; No two are exactly alike. Your travel manager makes sure you have an opportunity to review all the choices available--You get to decide.

What happens at the end of my contract?
Many recruiters wait until the last minute hoping for an extension of a current contract, which often times can leave travelers without a new assignment contract in place before the current contract ends.

When can I expect my next placement contract to be secured?
Your next placement plan is a top priority. Staying in close communication with your recruiter/travel manager is key to securing either an extension or a new assignment. Make sure your recruiter/travel manager clearly understands your assignment needs (e.g., geographic preference, rural, community or teaching based facility, mandatory floating requirements scheduling restrictions, day/noc rotation issues etc.)

When do I have to move out of my provided apartment/hotel suite?
Typically if you are not extending or starting a new contract with another facility in the same geographic region, you can expect to vacate your apartment within 2 days after your assignment concludes. Remember, if your company has provided you with an apartment, you are not the legal tenant of record—rather your agency is.

Do you have any bridging opportunities when I am between contracts?
This can easily be achieved by signing up for per-diem or short term office contracts that offer higher pay in lieu of travel benefits thereby “bridging the gap” between travel assignments. Or perhaps you merely want to supplement your income while on a traditional assignment. In either scenario, “bridging opportunities” do exist.

At Nursefinders…extension and conversation planning is as vital to you as the initial application/screening process is to us. Your Nursefinders Travel Manager will begin working on your next placement plan at minimum 6 weeks prior to your current assignment ending. Nationwide, customized choices are literally at your fingertips!

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We invite you to learn more about our nationwide travel opportunities. Call us at 866-245-1424 OR visit us at www.nursefinders.com . Complete our Fast Track Application process and we’ll send you a FREE scrub top!