Iowa - RN Pay - Page 3

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  1. Aug 4, '08 by
    Quote from futureRNtraveler08
    I'm trying to get out of Iowa. Pay isn't that great. and the small town I live in doesn't really have much to offer. I am looking into travel nursing to see what there is out there. There has to be something more than this.

    Sounds like a great idea. I think you will enjoy it.
    futureRNtraveler08 likes this.
  2. Aug 5, '08 by
    futurerntraveler08, did you already found travel agency? i am thinking about moving to colorado. but i'm not sure if i will like there. so, my intent is to find nice traveling agency, get assignment in colorado for several month, look around, ect. if i will like being a nurse in co, i can stay there. now i need to find decent travel. agency. any advices are appreciated.
  3. Aug 5, '08 by
    Quote from HM2Viking
    check out the VA system.
    I checked VA. It's even worse than regular hospital.
  4. Aug 5, '08 by
    Quote from marynochka
    futurerntraveler08, did you already found travel agency? i am thinking about moving to colorado. but i'm not sure if i will like there. so, my intent is to find nice traveling agency, get assignment in colorado for several month, look around, ect. if i will like being a nurse in co, i can stay there. now i need to find decent travel. agency. any advices are appreciated.
    i have applied for a couple of agencies. i have talked to a couple of people that have traveled and they recommended these agencies. it doesn't hurt to applied to several because you can negotiate with them all and whichever one gives the best deal. you don't have to go with just one agency and if you apply you don't have to go with them either. i am new to this site so i am figuring how things work. i am not sure if you have access to my email, nut email me if you do and i will let you know some sites that i have gone to.:typing
    Marynochka likes this.
  5. Aug 5, '08 by
    Quote from marynochka
    futurerntraveler08, did you already found travel agency? i am thinking about moving to colorado. but i'm not sure if i will like there. so, my intent is to find nice traveling agency, get assignment in colorado for several month, look around, ect. if i will like being a nurse in co, i can stay there. now i need to find decent travel. agency. any advices are appreciated.
    a couple years ago bridge staffing was suggested to me as we had a few travelers in our hospital from there. one of nurse using them said her rep had been very good to her and they took care of their nurses. that was her experience with them.
    Marynochka and futureRNtraveler08 like this.
  6. Aug 27, '08 by
    Mercy in des moines has a great daycare building right across the street. Its cheaper than other places + the staff there is awesome. My kids (almost 4 and almost 3) love going there.

    Their health insurance rate is pretty good too. Even beats my military rate from the Guard.
  7. Sep 6, '08 by
    You might want to check out the State of Iowa nursing jobs. I know that Iowa is noted for low RN pay. I make over $34/hr working for the state and I also receive great benefits. It all depends on what type of nursing you want to work in. I have worked at the same facility for over 10 years. I don't know what the starting wage would be, but the anniversary and the annual cost of living wage increase adds up rather quickly. I live in a small community so the cost of living is not expensive.
  8. Sep 6, '08 by
    The state does have great benefits. I work IT for the Board of Medicine right next to the Board of Nursing. But jobs within Polk County are far and few. And some of them might not appeal to someone that is devoted to patient care or would rather not work in a corrections facility.

    Does anyone know any agencies that pay well for per diem? My wife is with Maxim for work at Iowa Methodist sometimes, but the pay is roughly the same. I was disappointed.
  9. Sep 8, '08 by
    Quote from stevelord
    ....Does anyone know any agencies that pay well for per diem? My wife is with Maxim for work at Iowa Methodist sometimes, but the pay is roughly the same. I was disappointed.
    Stevelord, I hate to disappoint you, but all agencies are almost the same. Im my personal opinion, Maxim is the worst in all aspects. I work full time in one of the Des Moines hospitals, and in the mean time pick up some extra shifts in CBS Stuffing. They pay $24/hr no matter what is your experience. Plus $1 on weekends. Stuff is great, especially Ebony. I don't think you'll be able to find anything better in Iowa. If you will, let me know! I found the rates in Iowa nursing agencies are very disappointing. When I talk to my classmates in Arizona (I graduated there), I literally cry. They make as RN $28 in hospitals ($24 starting plus $4 night shift differentials) in Tucson. In agencies there they pay around $40 for RN's and $28 for LPN's. I heart it's even better in Phoenix.
  10. Sep 8, '08 by
    Years ago in NJ my wife was making $30ish at a hospital, but worked per diem with Maxim and was making $50. Just three 12hr days a week and she was banking $900.

    One of my best friends did travel in NJ and was getting sign on bonuses and housing allowance...for a cheap apartment he split with a friend anyway. Good bachelor money.

    Iowa does pay IT pretty well though so even though I am only a few years into my career, I hope I can be making good money as I progress.