Weekend Travel Assignments

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2005

I have never heard of week end traveling, altho that does not mean it does not exist. Since most hospitals require that you have some sort of orientation, I would not think they would just have folks come in for the week end. Maybe agency work might work better for you.

Some companies will provide nurses to work strikes, but that is something that is unpredictable, and you may or may not work more than a few days, and you have to be ready to go on short notice. I have never done this, and probably never would and have heard mixed reviews by those who have done it.

As far as licensing goes....if your home state is a member of a compact state, and I believe Tenn is....you can work in any compact state on your primary license. It is not really difficult to get additional licenses in other states, but some are a bit tedious. Some require transcripts from college, fingerprints, passport photos, back ground checks, etc. It is mostly time comsuming, and yes it can be expensive. You can check the board of nursing website for any states you are interested in and learn their requirements. Good luck.

RRN · Mar 9, 2005

I have never done travel nursing, but seems like I remember hearing that some companies offer weekend assignments. Does anyone here know which agencies would be best? I have a baby sister in Los Angeles and a best friend in Austin, so those would be the two areas I'd be most interested in traveling to.
Also, is it a huge PIA to get licensed in other states? I have a great full time job here that I love, but I never work weekends, and need to get some $$ saved up bad, so this looks like it may work out.
Any input would be hugely appreciated!

If you want to work FRI SAT SUN I'm sure a Nurse Manager won't turn you away.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 9, 2005

Travel assignments are usually thirty six hours minimum per week. What you are talking about is regular agency work, there is a difference between the two. Regular agency normally will not pay your housing and transporation costs but you can deduct them from your taxes, if more than 50 miles from your home. But again, it depends on the assignment.

Good luck........................

RRN · Mar 10, 2005

Travel assignments are usually thirty six hours minimum per week. What you are talking about is regular agency work, there is a difference between the two. Regular agency normally will not pay your housing and transporation costs but you can deduct them from your taxes, if more than 50 miles from your home. But again, it depends on the assignment.
Good luck........................[/quote
A travel position could certainly be every weekend. Why not? As for 50 miles there is NO rule on mileage in the IRS code. That's a myth the agencies and travel companies try to foist on travelers.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 10, 2005

Then that is considered an "AGENCY" position, not a travel one. The travel companies provide housing and utilities, etc. and want you for a minimum of thrity six hours per week.

Sorry, but the IRS stipulates that the travel assignment be at least fifty miles from where your permanent residence is to be able to take the mileage, housing, etc. from your taxes. Same as when you move residences, it has to be at least fifty miles to be able to get the full deductions............

Just check out the tax code for yourself..............I have been working agency and as a traveler for more than twenty years, and owned my own agency and these are the rulings that are set forth, and in the employer handbook as well ,from the IRS.

RRN · Mar 10, 2005

Then that is considered an "AGENCY" position, not a travel one. The travel companies provide housing and utilities, etc. and want you for a minimum of thrity six hours per week.
Sorry, but the IRS stipulates that the travel assignment be at least fifty miles from where your permanent residence is to be able to take the mileage, housing, etc. from your taxes. Same as when you move residences, it has to be at least fifty miles to be able to get the full deductions............
Just check out the tax code for yourself..............I have been working agency and as a traveler for more than twenty years, and owned my own agency and these are the rulings that are set forth, and in the employer handbook as well ,from the IRS.

Then someone duped you too....

I've been a travel nurse for 3 years. You show me the fifty mile rule for travel nurses. It's not in the IRS code. You can't cuz it's not there.. What the code says is if you need to rest between shifts. see pub. 463 there is no fifty mile rule...Now some hospitals have their own fifty mile rule because they don't want all their nurses going to travel.. And yes many hospitals work a modified Baylor Plan.. Fri Sat Sun 7a-7p or 7p-7a..and 3 12's does equal 36 just in case you missed multiplication in 3rd grade.

Did you know I am a travel nurse and I don't work in a hospital...What a concept.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2005

We have not heard back from the original poster on this, but my impression was she had a full time mon-fri job and wanted to pick up extra on the week ends in a city far away. Unless she was a supernurse, and she may be, I think it would be difficult to have a full time job and then pick up an extra 36 hours on the week end, and do this for a 13 week contract. Technically it can be done, but at what price to the health, safety and well being of the nurse, and her patients.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 10, 2005

Which hospital/agency will pay full housing and utilities for a nurse only working two days per week? And on a Baylor Plan?

If you look under the IRS rulings to the section on housing, it states clearly that the new place must be at least fifity miles away for you to be able to take deductions....................as a travel nurse, you would be able to return to your home each evening, taking the travel benefits away.

Funny but $40 per day really adds up..................

RRN · Mar 10, 2005

Which hospital/agency will pay full housing and utilities for a nurse only working two days per week? And on a Baylor Plan?
If you look under the IRS rulings to the section on housing, it states clearly that the new place must be at least fifity miles away for you to be able to take deductions....................as a travel nurse, you would be able to return to your home each evening, taking the travel benefits away.
Funny but $40 per day really adds up..................

Give me the link to the fify miles ..It isn't there..

I didn't say two days. I said FRI SAT SUN... And I know a travel nurse who had a contract with guaranteed hours of 36 a week and she worked 12 a week for the first 9 weeks... The unit wanted to know they had a nurse for call outs..

I worked Baylor for 2 1/2 years.. Two twelves and paid for 36.. That's how Baylor works.. The regular staff works 7-3 3-`11 11-7 weekdays.. The weekend staff works 7a-7p and 7p- 7a...

I can be done.