1st NYC Travel Assignment--How's my pay?

IndigoCarmine · May 06, 2008 01:54 AM

I'm new to travel nursing and wanted out of my permanent job so very badly that I didn't particularly negotiate my contract. I basically just said "yes, yes, I'll take it!". All I was really looking for was a lateral move from a financial standpoint, and was really after a new (and hopefully better) work environment, learning new things and growing as a professional. Don't mock me! I really mean that! I was scared of staying at my first nursing job forever (five years was plenty) so I vamoosed and headed for traveling.

I was so pleased with the idea of basically making the same hourly wage and having to *not* deal with unit politics that I didn't think "hmmm...maybe I'm worth more than what they're offering me."

I make $29/hr with a $2200/mo tax-free housing stipend. I found my own housing (I'm very familiar with NYC). My healthcare package is something like $225/mo and is fairly comprehensive although my med copays stink. Luckily I'm not on any meds! While the money is fine, I'm wondering (because, well, duh) if I could or should be making more. I already extended the contract because I really like the hospital, but the next time I extend (if that's an option) I'm wondering where my wiggle room is. There are several travel nurses on my unit-- from several different companies--and they all seem to work perks into their contracts. One doesn't work weekends, one works a week off into every contract etc etc. I don't have the stones to ask what they're making.

Any travelers out there in NYC with some hard numbers? Oodles of experience? Advice? Questions, comments concerns?

zahryia · May 06, 2008, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by IndigoCarmine

I'm new to travel nursing and wanted out of my permanent job so very badly that I didn't particularly negotiate my contract. I basically just said "yes, yes, I'll take it!". All I was really looking for was a lateral move from a financial standpoint, and was really after a new (and hopefully better) work environment, learning new things and growing as a professional. Don't mock me! I really mean that! I was scared of staying at my first nursing job forever (five years was plenty) so I vamoosed and headed for traveling.

I was so pleased with the idea of basically making the same hourly wage and having to *not* deal with unit politics that I didn't think "hmmm...maybe I'm worth more than what they're offering me."

I make $29/hr with a $2200/mo tax-free housing stipend. I found my own housing (I'm very familiar with NYC). My healthcare package is something like $225/mo and is fairly comprehensive although my med copays stink. Luckily I'm not on any meds! While the money is fine, I'm wondering (because, well, duh) if I could or should be making more. I already extended the contract because I really like the hospital, but the next time I extend (if that's an option) I'm wondering where my wiggle room is. There are several travel nurses on my unit-- from several different companies--and they all seem to work perks into their contracts. One doesn't work weekends, one works a week off into every contract etc etc. I don't have the stones to ask what they're making.

Any travelers out there in NYC with some hard numbers? Oodles of experience? Advice? Questions, comments concerns?

I've never done traveling, so my response is strictly from the POV of living in NYC. I don't think you're being fairly compensated. New Grads start out at 64k minimum to
70k+

Perhaps the fact that you're getting housing comp has something to do with it, but I would think that you should make at least 35/hoiur; if not more, since you're experienced.

IndigoCarmine · May 06, 2008, 04:06 PM

Yeah, I've worked in NYC for five years, so I have an idea of what staff nurses make here, and you're right, the housing compensation has a lot to do with the lower hourly wage.

But still, I'm curious as to travel rates in NYC.