Question for experienced travel nurses

It definitely doesn't sound right.

But best suggestion is to always get your bonus averaged into your pay to begin with. If they cut you a check in the end for the bonus, there is a much larger junk taken out in taxes, that is required to be done on all obnus checks.

Ditto what suzzane4 says , I have gotten bonuses for 500.00 and the check comes out to like 375.00 because of the bigger taxes on bonuses . you are much better taking the higher subsidy , I believe it may even be tax free (not sure on this ). But to adress your question more directly , next time I would get the housing subsidy rate THEN ask about a bonus . I work for Medical Express ,(part of AMN ) and always try and get the deal lined up THEN ask for extras ( Laundry , Parking ,Bonuses) .

I wouldn't consider this a "bonus" at all! They are just "rearranging" your share of the money from this contract. You are definitely better off getting the money in your hourly if possible rather than a bonus at the end, both for the tax purposes as stated above and also because a higher hourly wage will also make any overtime at a higher rate.

I also work for American Mobile, I don't know who your recruiter is but this sounds WRONG to me. Stick to your guns, say No I want the bonus or a little extra hourly. Remember what others have just said a higher housing is better (its tax free).
Be careful with American Mobile recruiters they tend to rush you into lower pay. Say maybe (the first time unless its a great offer) make them wait a little, slow down and you will probably get both the housing and the bonus.