Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Travel Nursing /

Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,490 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.

Oct 14, 2009 11:33 AM

Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?

Updated Oct 14, 2009 at 11:34 AM by sonnyluv

Hey all!

I'm about to take my first travel assignment. I will be going to Los Angeles to an I.C.U. They are offering $1500/month for living expenses and $25/hour for pay. $400 for travel costs. Insurance for me and my wife+ son will be $150 every two weeks. They say they don't pay any shift differential. Their logic is bizzare, something like "if you like working nights then why should we pay you more..." really nonsensical. That's their offer. I have a year of experience going in.

So-wise travelers, am I getting a good deal or no?


Share

Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Reply
6 Comments
No. 1
from vblaides
Old Oct 14, 2009, 05:27 PM

Default Re: Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?
Hi sonny. That's a low pay rate for LA. LA and NY tend to pay in the mid 30's. Taking into consideration your stipend. Is the 1500 a month tax free. Now if it is tax free then your making the average salary for someone in LA or NY. This can be figured out by taking 1500 dividing by 150 hours( which is typically how many hours worked in 1 month on average, 75 hours in a two week period). That calculates to 10 dollars an hour. You add your 25/hr pay rate to 10/hr(stipend)= 35/hr

For a traveller the salary should be higher, and there should be a higher rate for working nights(period). You can negotiate for a higher pay rate. This contract's pay rate seems to be a bit low.

good luck
Top
 
No. 2
Old Oct 16, 2009, 03:37 PM

Default Re: Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?
Hi Sunny!
You are being low balled. I hope that you have not signed that contract. As you begin you career as a traveler you will see how you have to really heckle the recruiters to get money. It really is ashame that we have to do things like this. For instance my current company wanted to give a LOUSY $400 for travel stipend for coming to San fran all the way from MI. I told them very nicely no way and ended up getting $1000 for travel expenses, which indeed I used every penny of it. Really try and negotiate with your recruiter, because truth is they need you and they don't want to lose the contract!!!

Good Luck!!!
Top
 
No. 3
from sonnyluv
Old Oct 17, 2009, 06:50 PM

Default Re: Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?
Haven't signed yet, thanks for the advice!
Top
 
No. 4
Old Oct 17, 2009, 07:30 PM

Default Re: Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?
GOOD!!!!! Good luck : )
Top
 
No. 5
Old Oct 18, 2009, 09:22 AM

Default Re: Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?
Travel to LA should be @ least 600.00/rt
30.00/hr (base not blended) should be average.
If you're new to Cali pay rates Blended means you're expected to be paid time & half after 8hrs. during 12-hr shift.
There should be more $$$ for night shift.



I love the companies that play the "hide the money game"

They offer a low base rate but offer "per-diem" as an additional payment to you tax free. Usually it works out better for them.

You have to do some research about the areas you're going to work in before you accept any housing allocation. They tend to low-ball you there as well. Having them provide housing is usually the way to go. No utilities. You can run your Heat & Air as much as you want.

Negotiate washer & dryer IN your apartment as well. Much more convenient to do laundry @ your leisure. You aren't feeding a coin laundry, you don't have to stick around to make sure someone doesn't steal it, and your clothes won't get stained because the guy in front of you washed all his grease-laden mechanic's clothes in your machine.

Rental Car, Rental Car, Rental Car, Rental Car... Subject to negotiation your recruiter can work it into the contract or they can't. They usually tell you up front but turn down enough contracts and they seem to come up with the money.

A good company and a good recruiter will absolutely maximize your money and benefits out of every contract. If you feel that they're taking advantage of you then you need a new company. Understand they get paid based on your labor. They should be paying you for your efforts not trying to cheat you.

Networking is the key. Talk to as many travelers as you can. Ask them if you mind seeing/comparing their contract. I share my information with everyone I can. It only strengthens your position and empowers YOU to make decisions based on fact not speculation. You are your worst enemy. You need to be self confident enough to manage the negotiation when selecting contracts. You always get 100% of the things you don't ask for...
Top

1 Reader Gave Kudos
 
No. 6
from 2TallOH
Old Oct 24, 2009, 07:55 PM

Default Re: Going to LA-Am I getting scammed?
EmercengyNrse - with your experience are there any particular agencies that you would endorse or does it depend on the area? I am looking at LA, FL and HI. Thank you.
Top
 
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
382 members
3,464 guests
3,846

0

Patient Evaluation of Retail Clinic Care

0

The hard to reach on-call doctor, and its effects on...

0

Woman charged with passing off prescription drug as...

0

Paralysed Belgian misdiagnosed as in coma for 23 years

1

Man in "Vegetative State" was conscious for 23...

2

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

7

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

63

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

10

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

7

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't



1

Society Needs Care Too

12

Why am I doing this, anyway?

2

Nurse Heal Thyself

9

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

17

I made it through

11

An angel's gaze

16

A Sister Never Forgets

16

Ruby's Marbles

37

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

14

My Little Old Jedi

20

I love this job......

23

"I hear voices"

19

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

24

Error and Attitude

10

It's Just a Shower





Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address: