Can you truly save as a travel nurse?

[Williss2]

Hello,

I have some years experience under my belt and I am considering travel nursing. I am just in the research stage right now. I have been scouring the boards and I mostly see people talk about how the pay is not as much as one would think, or they use their existing savings to sight-see. I make o.k money now, so I don't think that my hourly wage will be much more, but is it realistic to say that I can save the overhead of not having to pay rent and bills.

Let's say that my hourly wage is the same as where I am now, can I either use the company housing/stipend to cover the overhead and save the money that would have been for bills and rent. Has anybody been able to save while traveling? What am I missing? I don't have to worry about the weeks between jobs because I have a very flexible job where I can pick up shifts in between and also I don't think that I will take back to back assignments. Just maybe in the spring and summer. Oh, and I will be traveling with family.

[alh387]

Hi there, I am also just starting the research for travel nursing, hoping to start in the next year.. I am interested in traveling nursing for the exciting experience of living/working lots of new places, etc., but I want to come out on top financially as well. Your post caught my eye because it seems that making "good money" in travel nursing has so much to do with being crafty with living arrangements and landing the best deal with your contract.. any further advice on getting a good contract in addition to having the appropriate certifications? Is there any room for negotiation or do you just hold out until a good offer comes to you in a city you like? Any and all advice on navigating agencies and putting all the stipends to the best use is greatly appreciated!

[Williss2]

Thanks for the replies. I believe that I answered my own question when I spoke to a recruiter. I was actually just seeking information about starting sometime next year and they talked me into doing an app over the phone. A recruiter called me the next day and asked that I start during the holidays because it will be harder to get a first time job right after the holidays due to competition. Anyway, she quoted me two jobs at 19/hr with 1800 stipend and 390 biweekly per diem or 21/hr and 1200 stipend w/ 390 biweekly per diem. After doing the math, my living arrangements and bills are too expensive right now to take anything close to this offer. I will compare with another company at another time, but traveling will probably be more beneficial to me if I had NO home bills while on the road and a better hourly wage than that. That could free up some money to save. I kinda agree w/ the above poster, you have to be crafty w/ living arrangements and stipends to see a better result.