New to Travel any good agencies for California?

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I am agency shopping and wonder what agencies have the best pay and most options for California? What are good rates in California? I prefer to be near the coast in a city such as San Diego or San Fran. I'm afraid there probably is not going to be much opportunities in these great cities. That being said as much as I would like a great location money is a big factor. So I may end up in a place like fresno if they pay much higher there. This will be my first assignment. My background 2 years Tele and 1 year medical Resp ICU. What would be an acceptable hourly pay? I plan on finding my own housing and pocket that tax free stipend. I also understand that meals and incidentals are usually part of your tax free package. I talked a recruiter who said that an assignment in Monterey is 26 per hour plus a housing stipend. I was in a hurry when she called so did get a figure for stipends. To me that seems low but again I have no idea what the stipend in this area may be. By the way I am traveling with my girlfriend so we will live together and pocket the extra stipend.

Nowadays your lucky if your stipend is enough to cover your Housing costs..

Specializes in ICU/PACU.

It's difficult to get a job in SF, but there are plenty of jobs along the coast in CA. Hold out for a better position, I personally wouldn't go inland to somewhere like Fresno or Bakersfield but I'm moreso in it for the experience.

Specializes in ER.

I'm currently in San Jose with HRN Services, and they mostly staff CA and Washington. Was previously with AMN for a job in LA & Sacramento, and in all my assignments, I've taken the stipend & found housing on Craigslist. My lowest paying job so far was with AMN in Sacramento 2 months ago, made $1427/wk (this included my housing, hourly rate of $25.00ish, M&I's). That's $100 away from what I was making BIWEEKLY in GA!

Good luck! :D

Specializes in medical surgical, oncology.

i am new to this forum and i still trying to get the hang of this posting thing. but i am really curious as to how your experience ended up in downey. i myself am getting my first travel assignment in a kaiser facility. i know the pay is nowhere near where id like it to be, but i know that kaiser will accept newbie travelers and i just want to get an assignment under my belt, then go on from there. do any of you guys know about housing/apt around the hospital areas? about how much is the cost of living? including utilities. any info is helpful. i am in tx and don't know ca at all. have only visited san diego. thank you guys in advance. like i said, this is a little hard for me to figure out lol email me if possible at [email protected]. :nurse:

I would not accept the housing stipened! Did you know if you do not accept the housing stipened that the agency can raise your hourly rate by the dollars!!! So your pay could be $36+ instead of $26. Just saying :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Critical Care.
I talked a recruiter who said that an assignment in Monterey is 26 per hour plus a housing stipend. I was in a hurry when she called so did get a figure for stipends. To me that seems low but again I have no idea what the stipend in this area may be.

I was quoted 20/hr for San Jose plus a housing stipend. I am new to travel nursing and California as well. I am wanting to work in Monterey.. if you feel comfortable with it, would you mind telling me which company you talked to that had offers in that town?

Specializes in L & D; Maternal/Child.

Check out the IRS site for per diem rates. An agency can use these tables for a guideline and if they offer a lot less, they are not someone I would work with

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1542.pdf

Specializes in L & D; Maternal/Child.

Check out the IRS site for per diem rates. An agency can use these tables for a guideline and if they offer a lot less, they are not someone I would work with

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1542.pdf

how was it to look for housing on craigslist? i'm a little bit weary b/c you never really know what/who you're dealing with via internet. any tips on how to find a good safe place to rent while traveling on craigslist?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Pediatrics, Telemetry, ER.

Hi,

I am an RN with almost 4 years of experience, half of that in the ER (which is where I intend to stay for now). I am seriously considering travel assignments, looking to start in Huntington Beach (I just love it there). I already have a basic understanding of what the prices for rent go there and the fact that with these assignments you can take a stipend or the agency finds housing for you. Does anyone have any recommendations on which agencies to use for the southern california/Orange county area? Any recommendations on hospitals? Additionally, I would like to know what I should expect in weekly pay (including or exclusing housing). Basically, if I could make the same I make now or a little more PLUS my housing, I would be just set. But I am totally clueless and I need unbiased information! I know lots of travelers and I know that the agents work for themselves and have to make money, so YOU are not always their "top" priority. ANY input would be appreciated! Thank you.

Lindsey

I am agency shopping and wonder what agencies have the best pay and most options for California? What are good rates in California? I prefer to be near the coast in a city such as San Diego or San Fran. I'm afraid there probably is not going to be much opportunities in these great cities. That being said as much as I would like a great location money is a big factor. So I may end up in a place like fresno if they pay much higher there. This will be my first assignment. My background 2 years Tele and 1 year medical Resp ICU. What would be an acceptable hourly pay? I plan on finding my own housing and pocket that tax free stipend. I also understand that meals and incidentals are usually part of your tax free package. I talked a recruiter who said that an assignment in Monterey is 26 per hour plus a housing stipend. I was in a hurry when she called so did get a figure for stipends. To me that seems low but again I have no idea what the stipend in this area may be. By the way I am traveling with my girlfriend so we will live together and pocket the extra stipend.
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