Questions About Travel Nurse Employment
To help you get to know us a little better, we have
compiled answers to many of the most frequently asked questions we hear from
healthcare professionals.
If you’re thinking about travel nurse employment, or even if you’ve worked in
this field before and want to switch companies, we know you have questions
about us, our assignments and what we have to offer.
If you don’t see your question here, please call us at (800) 544-7255 or drop
us a line at info@medicalexpress.com.
Click on any of these questions to get an answer:
Getting started with Medical Express
About travel assignments
Compensation and bonuses
Benefits
Housing and travel
Getting started with Medical Express
What do I need to do to get started as a Medical
Express traveler?
The very first step you need to take is to complete an application form. This
can be done online, by fax, by mail or over the phone. Once your application is
approved, a recruiter will get in touch with you to begin the process of
finding the right assignment for you.
What are the minimum requirements for travel nurse employment?
You must be a graduate of an accredited healthcare professional program in the
United States or Canada and have at least 12 consecutive months of recent
experience in your specialty.
How can I determine if a travel nursing career is
right for me?
If you enjoy diversity in your work environment and feel stimulated by
constantly expanding your knowledge and exploring new ways of doing things,
then a travel nursing career is probably a great choice for you. With each new
assignment you’ll have the opportunity to boost your career by working
alongside seasoned professionals and utilizing state-of-the-art techniques. If
you love exploring new places and meeting new people, travel nurse employment could be
just what you’re looking for!
Are there any fees associated with your service?
No, never. Our services are entirely free to you.
How quickly can I begin working as a travel nurse?
Some travel nurses start their first assignment within two weeks of submitting
their application, while others plan their assignments several months down the
road. How quickly you can get started depends on whether your documentation is
in order and licensure is current for the state where you want to practice. We
will work with you to help you get all your credential requirements organized
in time for your assignment start date.
Do I have to commit to a long-term contract?
No, your commitment to Medical Express only extends for the length of the
travel assignment you agree to take. At the end of your assignment you are free
to make your own choices.
Can I take your housing if I bring a pet or family
member?
Absolutely! It’s a great way to explore the country and to share the new
discoveries of your travel experiences. You will be provided with free, private
housing, and if you’re traveling with your furry companion, you may be required
to pay a pet deposit. Refer to our housing
section for more details.
What about the licensing requirements for
different states?
You need a license for every state in which you accept travel nurse employment. Each state has different
licensing rules and regulations, and most states require a fee and
verification. Your recruiter and quality management specialist will assist you
every step of the way to make the process as simple as possible. For more
information, go to our licensure
information page.
About travel assignments
Where do you offer travel assignments?
We have positions across all 50 states. Whether you want to work in one of
the nation’s big cities, like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia or
Houston, or a small town in New England, the Midwest or Alaska, we have a wide
choice of assignments for you.
What kinds of facilities will I be able to work
at?
Our travelers work primarily in hospital settings. The size of the hospitals
can range from large university teaching facilities to remote community
hospitals. You get to decide what kind of facility is right for you.
How long are travel assignments?
Our typical travel assignment is 13 weeks. However, travel nurse employment can range from
8 to 52 weeks, depending on the needs of the facility. Many times you can
extend an assignment you particularly enjoy.
How do I choose an assignment?
You and your recruiter will discuss your assignment expectations, goals and
your desired destination. Once your recruiter knows what you are looking for,
you will be presented with available assignments, including details on the
facility, pay rates, shifts, unit and bonuses. From that list you will
interview with the facilities of your choice over the phone. After the
interview you and your recruiter will decide whether the assignment, the
facility and the work environment match your needs.
When am I committed to an assignment?
After interviewing with the facility, they will decide if they want to extend
an offer to you. Once you are presented with an offer, you can decide if you
want to accept the assignment. You are never obligated to accept an assignment,
and turning down an offer will not affect any of your future assignments.
Will I work full-time or part-time?
All of our assignments are for full time 36- or 40-hour weeks. Many assignments
also offer the opportunity to work overtime.
Can I take travel assignments in my hometown?
Yes, in most cases you can. With our
local travel program you can enjoy many of the benefits and perks of travel nurse employment,
without packing your bags and heading to a new
destination. By “traveling” in your local area you’ll get to balance your home
and family life with a rewarding, flexible career. Your recruiter will work
closely with you to find an assignment that is in close proximity to your
hometown.
What happens after I complete my assignment?
Once your assignment ends you have a number of options. You can travel to a new
assignment, possibly extend your current assignment, apply for a permanent
position at your current facility, or return home and travel at a later date.
Are travel assignments available for two nurses
wishing to go to the same city?
Sure! Many of our travelers choose to travel together. We can arrange for you
to share a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment or condo for free, or you can
organize your own housing and we’ll give you a generous housing stipend every
month.
Does Medical Express offer clinical support?
Absolutely! Our experienced clinical liaisons—many have been travel nurses
themselves—are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you with any
clinical issue or concern you may have while on assignment.
Compensation and bonuses
How much will I be paid?
Our compensation is highly competitive, with pay rates of up to $40 per hour
for registered nurses. Your specific hourly rate will vary depending on your
specialty, experience and assignment location. In addition, many hospitals
offer very lucrative completion and sign-on bonuses.
Does Medical Express offer shift differentials?
Yes, the majority of our assignments offer shift differentials for evening and
night shifts, giving you the opportunity to earn extra pay for each hour
worked during your travel nurse employment.
When and how will I be paid?
When you take an assignment with Medical Express, you will be paid directly
from our payroll. We provide payment by direct deposit into your bank account
every two weeks. If you’d prefer, we can mail your check directly to you by
overnight mail.
Do you offer sign-on and completion bonuses?
Most definitely! You can earn $1,000 for quick-start or specialty assignments.
Also, many of our facilities offer generous completion bonuses ranging from
$500 to $6,000. Ask your recruiter for further details.
Will I earn a bonus if I refer a friend to
Medical Express?
Yes, we encourage you to refer your friends and coworkers to Medical Express. We
offer $500 referral bonuses for each RN you refer that completes a 13-week travel
assignment. For a limited time we are offering a double bonus of $1,000 for
ER nurses you refer that submit an application between May 1, 2008
and May 31, 2008 and start an assignment by June 30, 2008. See our Refer-a-Friend
page for details.
Benefits
What does your benefits package include?
As a Medical Express employee, you will enjoy one of the most comprehensive
benefits packages in the industry. Besides earning competitive pay, we also
offer our healthcare professionals free, private housing, day-one health
insurance coverage, dental insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan,
free continuing education, generous travel reimbursements, incentive programs
and much more. For more information, please visit our
pay and benefits section.
Can I add my spouse or children to my insurance?
Certainly. You can add your spouse or children to your insurance for an
additional premium, which we’ll deduct from your paycheck on a pretax basis.
Will I still have health benefits if I’m between
assignments?
Yes. You can take up to 30 days off between assignments and still maintain your
full health benefits.
Do you offer free continuing education?
Yes, we do. Because your professional development is so important to us, we
offer free continuing education
courses to all our mobile professionals through our service partner,
Travelers.RN.com. This fully accredited site offers more than 200 contact hours
online and an instant certificate upon successful completion of your course.
Do you offer a loyalty incentive program?
Yes. Our MedEx Rewards program
is specifically designed to reward our loyal travelers. Any of our travelers
who complete 39 assignment weeks or more have the opportunity to accumulate
points and redeem them for cash bonuses, vacation packages or gift
certificates.
Housing and travel
Is housing really free?
Yes, that is one of the great perks of travel nurse employment. For all company-paid
assignments, you will be provided with free, private, one-bedroom
accommodations. In some locations, you may be housed in a studio apartment. We
go out of our way to ensure that you are accommodated in a safe, attractive
neighborhood, close to your workplace. We even furnish your apartment and
arrange for utilities, prior to your arrival.
What type of housing do you provide?
Medical Express only works with pre-screened, preferred housing companies in an
effort to provide you with well-appointed accommodations in desirable
neighborhoods close to your assignment facility. Typically our housing consists
of a free, private, one-bedroom or studio apartment in a safe, secure,
high-quality community. Many properties include amenities such as swimming
pools, spas, fitness centers and clubhouses. Your housing will be in move-in
condition upon your arrival, complete with furniture and utilities. You also
have the option of providing your own housing—and we will provide you with a
generous housing subsidy every month. Visit our
housing section for more details.
Will Medical Express provide housing if I travel
with my family or friends?
Absolutely! We will provide you with free, private, one-bedroom accommodations
in a comfortable, well-maintained community close to your workplace. We can
also provide you with private two-bedroom accommodations. You may be required
to pay a nominal fee for private, two-bedroom housing. If you prefer, you can
arrange your own housing and Medical Express will pay you a generous housing
subsidy every month.
Will I be provided with housing if I travel with
a pet?
Yes, in fact many of our healthcare professionals travel with their pets. If
you bring a pet on assignment, we will provide you with free, private
accommodations. You will need to pay a pet deposit, which will be returned to
you upon completion of your assignment if your accommodations are clean and
well-maintained.
What happens if I provide my own housing?
If you arrange your own housing accommodations while on assignment, Medical
Express will provide you with a generous monthly housing subsidy. The amount
will vary depending on the assignment and the location. Your recruiter will be
able to provide you with further details.
Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?
Yes. No matter how you get to your assignment destination, we will help pay the
costs. We provide our travelers with a generous travel reimbursement for each
leg of their travel. Best of all, your reimbursement is tax-free.
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